I've included a link to an excellent thread on "Water Movement and Retention." It's the place to begin if you're interested in perfecting your container soils. The 5:1:1 mix is a custom mix comprised of five parts pine bark fines, one part spaghnum peat and one part perlite. It is referenced near the bottom of the opening post in that thread.

Once you read through the thread you may have more questions, but this is a great primer.

FWIW, I've been growing peppers and tomatoes in the 5:1:1 for several years with excellent results.

Here is a link that might be useful: Water Movement and Retention

Hey, Jungle!

Welcome to the Container Forum! Indeed, the link posted above is precisely where I learned
of the 5-1-1 and the Gritty Mix proper. Indoors, over the winter, I use the Gritty Mix to allow
for maximum drainage and aeration (so that my peppers aren't sitting in cold, wet soils for
days on end).

During the outdoor gardening season, I use the 5-1-1 in larger containers for great growth.

You can't find these mixes in a bag...you make these mixes yourself.

Josh

This may a stupid question as well, but since you can't buy the mix in a bag, are the base components available for sale. I live on the Texas plains and pine bark fines, spaghnum peat and perlite are in short supply in nature. What I mean is, would stuff this be my local garden supply?

Not a stupid question at all.
Perlite and peat are exceedingly common in garden centers. Pine bark or fir bark,
however, can be very difficult to find - although I think others have found a suitable bark
or mulch in many areas in Texas.

Josh