If you scroll down almost to the bottom, you will see a picture of screens that Al (tapla) uses.

JoJo

Here is a link that might be useful: Screens

Is this deja vu or was I answering someone else?

I made a sifter that uses only one main frame, but has various screens as attachments -- instead of building several heavy frames + screens as individual units.

Picture :

I got the instructions for this simple sifter here at Nifty Stuff . There are several sifters and other useful garden tool instructions.

But get this!!! Someone else updated the design to automate the sifting with the drill.

Is shifting a MUST? I've finally FINALLY located and purchased bags of Aged Pine Bark Fines which the bag also is marked Soil Conditioner. They look great and small but do I need to shift??

THANK YOU. Sorry to make you all repeat yourselves. I searched and searched but obviously wasn't thorough. I loved all those sifter videos. It looks like I need more lumber - another trip to HD in my future!

Smoochas, if you want your containers to drain properly, sifting your materials is a great idea.
However, aged pine bark is generally used in the 5-1-1 mix, which doesn't require as much sifting.

What's your plan?

Josh

Hi Josh,
I'm trying to rescue both my 2 tomato plants and 12+ succulents so I'll be trying to put together both the 5-1-1 and the Gritty Mix as well.

(See below) this is the Aged Pine bark fine/soil conditioner that I've managed to find after calling EVERYWHERE! For NYC or Long Island people, I found this at the Gowanus Nursery in Brooklyn. It was $11+ for a 2 cuft/56qt bag. Probably super expensive but I honestly had no other choice. NO ONE carries anything even remotely close!. The brand is ENRICH. I would be most pleased if no sorting is required!

I just picked up Oil-dri from Napa Auto store today. My understanding is I do need to sift that. I am hoping to use a pasta colander as sifter, you think that's okay?

I still have to find crushed granite and silica sand. Does Home Depot have any of these two things? Do these need to be sifted?

{{gwi:23635}}

Smooch: Yes, Josh is correct. Unless under some very specific circumstances, almost everyone needs to sift for the 1-1-1 gritty mix.

You may not have to sift whatsoever for 5-1-1. Share what you intend to grow, what containers you'll use, and esp. which mix.

Yeah, sift for your succulents! (1-1-1)

Tomatoes will love the 5-1-1 mix.
A bit more info, and the good folks here will tailor their advice.

Josh

Thanks guys! (sorry to hijack the screening thread!)

I intend to transfer one tomato plant each into those plastic 5-gallon Lowes pails. I plant to drill some holes at the bottom, lay down a sheet of weed fabric before putting the mix in.

I am sure you guys are sick of having to explain the process to a newbie all the time but I am confused as to needing the garden lime or not (for 5-1-1?) I also bought water soluble Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food 24-8-16. Do I just put the granules directly into the mix? And then continue to use it once a week when I water?

My succulents/adeniums live in unglazed terracotta pots with a center drain hole.

The 5:1:1 mix gets 1 tbsp of garden lime per gallon or 1/2 cup per cu ft.

Don't add the granules to your medium - dissolve it in an appropriate amount of water and fertigate (fertilize + irrigate at the same time).

Al