what soil to use?

I did my first grow last summer and I screwed up. I used "miracle grow" soil with slow release plant food already in it, from germination all the way through. The fertilizer killed many of the early seedlings, and of the plants that did make it to flowering all were male.

So I want to start my seeds in "regular" soil now. The problem is, I don't know what to buy. The hardware store near me has "organic" potting soil, but it sounds like it may have fertilizer in it too, just the "organic" kind. I'm not sure that would be any better.

There also is "potting mix". Is that good? It doesn't say it has any fertilizer in it, so I guess that would be good but I just want to check. There is also something called "vermiculite", but I'm not sure what that is.

Thanks for your help. I'd like to get my seeds started this weekend...

Vermiculite is a soil texture amendment. It makes the soil more crumbly and light, but not as good for drainage as perlite (the white stuff).
Look on the back of the potting mix and there should be NPK numbers somewhere. Potting mix with some extra vermiculite or perlite isn't actually a bad way to go.
If your garden store has promix, that's another pretty simple medium to work with, but if you are using it, read the 'why i should re-pot' thread in the FAQs first! Actually, read it anyway- it applies to any indoor soil grow.
You can use the 'organic' pottng soil later when the plants have 5 sets of leaves. Again, extra perlite is good.

Sorry stinky don't mean to hijack this thread, but I feel my question is relevant: Are all FoxFarm soils too strong for seedlings?

This is pretty good Black Gold Organic Potting Soil. All fox farm potting soil to.

I love Fox Farm Soil.

For PH and Drainage of the soil, I use 60% Potting Soil(sterilized), 15% Perlite, 10% Builder's Sand(no playground sand/beach sand; salt content), 10% Worm Castings and I usually use 5% more Potting Soil, but then you could substitute the 5% for your own desire/plant needs. I use this soil mix from seedling to flower:hippy:

I don't know if you can get John Innes compost stateside but if you can thier Number 12 mixed with 30% perlite works just fine.

Hi im going to do a little expermenting with soils and wanted to know what you think.. I have J.Arthur Bower's Multi-purpose compost and was thinking about mixing it with cactus soil? Would this be ok and would my plant grow? I live in the UK and cant find any good soil :(