So I was mixing up a batch of seed starting medium, and it tested what I thought was a little too acidic (around 5.5 or so, I'm guessing). So I thought I would take the edge off with a little lime and, you guessed it, added way too much. Now it looks like the Ph is something like 8 or a little higher.

Any advice on where to go from here? Could I try lowering it with sulfur? Will seedlings start okay in 8? (I grow them for a very short time in that medium and then move them into another mix which is Ph perfect, around 6.5.)

Should I just toss it and start over? I'd hate to waste it, but I'd also hate to start seedlings in less than ideal conditions.

Thanks!

John

Dave

Actually, Dave beat me to it! :)

Obviously, I must have had something acid in the mix to make it acidic, and indeed the peat is the likely answer, but I just have this weird testing result.

I would double the size of the mix, but I just don't need that much seed starting mix. But thanks for the idea, I may well go down that route.

Anyway, I would reduce pH to 6 to 6.8. That is ideal.
As far as fertilizing, seeds DO NOT NEED fertilizer to germinate or even til they have a couple of true leaves. Then you can start fertilizing by 1/3 strength liquid fertilizer solution.