skip to main content

Container Gardening

what soil mix to use in container gardening?

kawaiineko_gardener

14 years ago

I plan to grow cucumbers from seed; I will plant one cucumber plant per 5 gallon pot.

I have two options with what type of soil mixture to use in container gardening.

I can use a prepackaged soil mix like Miracle gro, which I've heard is the ideal soil mixture to use for container gardening. I would add a little bit of cow manure based fertilizer to help feed what I'm growing in the container.

I would also use some water soluble fertilizer to give what I'm planting more nutrients.

My second option is to use a combination of loam, a soil mix like miracle gro, some peat moss, and the cow manure based fertilizer. I know you're not supposed to use regular top soil or loam for container gardening as it's not suitable for container gardening. However I'm on a tight budget and the reasons I'm using the loam in combination with the peat moss and cow manure fertilizer is

to cut costs. Buying the miracle gro potting mix would

cut into an already tight budget.

Which soil mixture should I use for container gardening? It was recommended to me to add peat moss to either mixture because it will help the soil mixture to retain water.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

justaguy2
14 years ago
I would suggest saving money and sourcing quality ingredients locally. Search this forum for threads by Tapla for more info. I would just link you to his series of posts, but am feeling lazy right now.

Forced to choose between your 2 choices I would go with the Miracle Grow mix and completely skip the manure as it isn't going to do a damn thing for your plants in a container. Nothing. To do good you would need to add an amount that would suffocate the roots and likely burn them too.

Use the MG potting mix (not soil) and follow it up with MG fertilizer (24-8-16) and you will likely have a very productive season for your cukes.
imstillatwork
14 years ago
I have to agree, but not based on my own experience, but rather my experience with justaguys suggestions. When he suggests something that I've not tried, I try it, and it works better than what I was doing. every time. Not sure I ever said thanks, becuase it's usually someone else question / answer that I learn from.

Same goes for Al. Here is the old post jag was referring to.
Related Discussions
use of miracle grow fruit and vegetable soil in container garden
Q
Comments (2)
You CAN grow a good crop in MG if you're attentive to how you water and fertilize. It's just easier and more fool-proof in a well-aerated mix that drains freely. I'm not familiar with "MG Fruit and Vegetable Soil", but generally peat-based soils collapse too quickly and are too water retentive to be considered good, when compared to the soils you can build based on pine or some other conifer barks instead of peat. Search this forum using ..... never mind - I'll leave a link below that explains a little about container soils, what is and isn't important ...... ;o) Al Here is a link that might be useful: If you click me, I'll share some info about soils
...See More
Garden soil mix ok for containers?
Q
Comments (1)
It's rather unlikely that you'll be happy with it in containers because of its extreme water retention and lack of aeration. Al
...See More
Soil / mix to use for fruit trees in containers?
Q
Comments (2)
Alex, A year most likely and possibly two. We're redoing our yard - a fairly major undertaking as it turns out - and I'm not sure yet where some plants will get permanently located, so keeping them in containers in the meantime seems like a good way to maintain flexibility until we get it all figured out. It's possible there may be some plants we decide to keep in containers permanently or in something approximating one (a moderately sized but deep raised bed).
...See More
Which potting soil/mix should i use for citrus in containers?
Q
Comments (4)
Aha, finally a question I can answer! (I'm new here but I've read just about every post on potting mix I could find.) Head on over to the "Container" forum and read the series of posts about this very topic from a very knowledgeable poster named Al/Tapla and the many many many other people who have had success with his potting mixes. There are also other folks who use different mixes, but there's definitely concensus about the idea of creating a fast draining but well aerated mix for containers to grow successfully long term. The key thing I've learned about potted citrus is they don't like soggy roots. Basic potting mixes have too much organic material and that not only stays wet too long, but it breaks down and collapses quickly, accelerating root rot and the poor nutrient uptake. When I got here a couple weeks ago, the idea of "home brewing" my own potting mix sounded so revolutionary and a bit crazy, and now, I'm a convert. I do a slight variation of the mix Al recommends, because I want to grow using a bit more organic material than he uses. You might also want to read his fertilizer posts... all very helpful. Good luck with your citrus! Here is a link that might be useful: Al's Container Potting Mix Post
...See More
ndgrower
14 years ago
Is a five gallon pot a little big for one cucumber plant? I planted two plants in a three gallon pot this year. They are doing great so far, don't know maybe they will run out of room and get cut short before the seasons over. But this would cut the cost down quit a bit or ya. I am growing spacemaster and spacemaster 80.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years ago
A pot can never be too big, from the plant's perspective, unless the soil is too slow.

Al
pardak
14 years ago
I think as a general rule Al and others suggest using the 5 1 1 soil mix for veggies and flowers and the grit mix for trees and shrubs. Probably are exceptions to that rule but that's my understanding.

Related Stories

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Gardening Basics: The Dirt on Soil

Learn the types of potting soil available and the best mixes to help your containers thrive

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Shape a Rain Garden and Create the Right Soil for It

By Falon Mihalic

Learn how to grade, lay out and amend the soil in your rain garden to support your plants

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: Mix Textures to Catch the Eye

A mix of textures makes for potted gardens where each plant has a special role to play

FARM YOUR YARD How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden

By Abundant City

The nutrients in your soil feed the plants that feed you. Here are tips on getting it right — just in time for planting season

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

GARDENING GUIDES The Poop Scoop: Enrich Your Soil With Good Old Manure

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get over the ick factor already — this natural super-ingredient for soil has so many benefits, you'll wonder why you ever went chemical

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants

By Annie Thornton

A worm-powered compost bin that can fit under a sink turns food scraps into a powerful amendment for your garden. Here’s how to make one

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Solutions for Soggy Soil

By Steve Asbell

If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O

GARDENING GUIDES Get the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil

By Falon Mihalic

Understand how your soil supports your plants so you can ensure your garden’s success

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Try Blue Bells for Blooms in Dry Soil

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

This shrub’s violet-blue flowers and silvery foliage brighten low-water gardens all year long

Sponsored

More Discussions

Firefly Petunia in Containers Outside

4

Fertilizing in a self water pot?

5

How I Turned a Galvanized Stock Tank into a Stylish Planter

6

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

Needed plant for sun/shade deck

6