Container Gardening - pH soil testing

leelad

Morning, hoping to start preparing the soil in my containers today for planting seeds at the end of this month / early March. Have got a pH testing kit to check how the soil is. Looking to use the same soil type this year compared to last year. Is that a good thing? Or do seeds grow better in soil which hasn't been used for growing?

Farway

Ideally seeds should be stated in a sterile environment, to prevent fungus etc creeping in etc.

So basically start with fresh compost for seeds

However back in the real world most seeds are sown in rows in ground that has been used for years, maybe even centuries, with the addition of "muck" added at various times & quantities over those years

My advice FWIW, if your seeds are expensive then worth coddling them, maybe start indoors & protected?

But if bog standard carrots for instance, just prepare the old soil, including some fertliser, and sow direct

Davesnave

I agree, it depends very much what your seeds are as to where and how you start them. Without knowing that, it's like talking about 'property,' which could be a croft in the Highlands or a swish pad in Mayfair!