Fafard Agro or Sunshine Mix

nicky · January 20, 2012

I have been using ProMix BX for my seed starting but am having a hard time finding it this time of year...

I found:
25 Ltr bags Fafard Agro Mix 6.99 3/20.00 (CAD$)
3.8cu ft compressed bales Sunshine Mix 29.99 each.

I would love to hear some opinions on which to buy.

I have searced the forums and found a couple of threads mentioning Fafard with good reviews & of course, lots with Sunshine Mix. Just wondering if anyone has used both & prefer one over the other.

Thanks!
Nicky

**nctomatoman** · January 20, 2012

Sometimes I am forced to go with Fafard 2b (or maybe 3b) - but it is too chunky for my likings, so I prefer MetroMix 360 (5 big bags of it ready to go in my garage!). I like the finer texture and less chunks.

DuckCreekFarms · January 20, 2012

I have used Fafard and liked it. I mostly use Sunshine LC-1 and grow tomato plants commercially for the past 20+ years

**nctomatoman** · January 20, 2012

wondering if that mix is different from 2b. When I do my transplants, the seedlings adjust much more quickly in the MetroMix than the Fafard - they just look awful for awhile, though they do eventually catch on....not sure what it means, but there it is!

nicky · January 20, 2012

Hmmm... I'm not sure wether it is different from 2b or not. The nursery just emailed me with the 2 names above. I will go and have a peek at the packages on the weekend. I will check which Sunshine mix (looking for LC-1), see if the Agro is different than the 2b and check around for some MetroMix!

The ProMix BX will be back in stock in May - a couple of months too late for most of my sowing.

Thanks Craig & DuckCreekFarms, I appreciate the answers!
Have a good weekend (and a lovely B-day Craig)!!!

rnewste · January 20, 2012

nicky,

My son owns a garden supply store, and sells 10 times as much of Sunshine Mix #4 versus ProMix BX. I have been using it for the past 2 Seasons and am very pleased with it. Down here, it typically sells for about $38.00 per bale. If you can get it for under $30.00 in Ontario, that is a good deal. Besides, it is a CANADIAN product!

Raybo

salix · January 20, 2012

Nicky, I use either Sunshine #4 or Promix HP (high porosity) with mycorrhizae, with just a shallow layer of a seedling (very fine) mix on top for starting seeds. When it comes time to potting up, I use either of the above mixed with homemade compost and worm castings.

nicky · January 22, 2012

Thanks everyone...
I got the Sunshine Mix (Canadian eh)!
We had to chisel it off of a frozen pile at the nursery in order to purchase it... and now it is thawing in my garage... but in a few days I think I will be back in seed starting business!

Thanks for the tips & advice.

January 20, 2012	#1
nicky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 600	Fafard Agro or Sunshine Mix I have been using ProMix BX for my seed starting but am having a hard time finding it this time of year... I found: 25 Ltr bags Fafard Agro Mix 6.99 3/20.00 (CAD$) 3.8cu ft compressed bales Sunshine Mix 29.99 each. I would love to hear some opinions on which to buy. I have searced the forums and found a couple of threads mentioning Fafard with good reviews & of course, lots with Sunshine Mix. Just wondering if anyone has used both & prefer one over the other. Thanks! Nicky

January 20, 2012	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Sometimes I am forced to go with Fafard 2b (or maybe 3b) - but it is too chunky for my likings, so I prefer MetroMix 360 (5 big bags of it ready to go in my garage!). I like the finer texture and less chunks. __________________ Craig

January 20, 2012	#3
DuckCreekFarms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mounds, Oklahoma Posts: 257	I have used Fafard and liked it. I mostly use Sunshine LC-1 and grow tomato plants commercially for the past 20+ years __________________ DuckCreekFarms.Com

January 20, 2012	#6
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	nicky, My son owns a garden supply store, and sells 10 times as much of Sunshine Mix #4 versus ProMix BX. I have been using it for the past 2 Seasons and am very pleased with it. Down here, it typically sells for about $38.00 per bale. If you can get it for under $30.00 in Ontario, that is a good deal. Besides, it is a CANADIAN product! Raybo

January 20, 2012	#7
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	Nicky, I use either Sunshine #4 or Promix HP (high porosity) with mycorrhizae, with just a shallow layer of a seedling (very fine) mix on top for starting seeds. When it comes time to potting up, I use either of the above mixed with homemade compost and worm castings.

January 22, 2012	#8
nicky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 600	Thanks everyone... I got the Sunshine Mix (Canadian eh)! We had to chisel it off of a frozen pile at the nursery in order to purchase it... and now it is thawing in my garage... but in a few days I think I will be back in seed starting business! Thanks for the tips & advice.