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donna_h

Best 'Basic' Mix For Vegetable Growing SWC's?

donna_h
14 years ago

This is my first year with SWC's and I'm looking to improve the growing medium since I've had mixed results with a mixture composed of peat, compost and perlite.

I've been reading a LOT about Al's mixes and was wondering if anyone had come up with a basic all-purpose mix for veggies that worked well in this type of container. I would also be interested to know what type of fertilizer schedule was used in conjunction with the mix.

I did run across this posting from Al:

"7 bark fines

2 peat

1 perlite

1 vermiculite

1 tbsp garden lime/gallon

would probably be a very good mix for SWCs.

For a fertilizer program, I would use something with a 3:1:2 ratio like MG 24-8-16 for the first month after potting, then switch to a 1:2:2 ratio like 5-10-10 or even a 1:1:1 blend such as the 14-14-14 you're using. Please be sure your plants are getting the secondary macronutrients and all the minors. Ca and Mg are particularly important."

Just wondering if anyone has improved and/or modified Al's mix and what the experiences of those using SWC's has been.

Thanks for the help!

Donna H.

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