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Vegetable Gardening

Should I buy potting soil or make my own??(first post!!!)

13 years ago

Hey there, I need a large quantity of potting soil for some planter boxes I made. I need to know if it would be cheaper to make some my self, or just buy ready made. If you think I should make it myself, what would be a good, simple organic mixture for veggies and herbs.

My next question is... What (year round)veggies and herbs would you recommend to plant in 3 foot long rectangular planters(8inches wide, 7inches high). Basically a standard sized window box. You know, some cute little plants that you can actually grow and eat year-round. thanks to everyone that helps, greatly appreciated thank you all

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Comments (6)

wvubeerman
13 years ago
I have made my own for years. I usually do it by feel. I get garden soil(or tilled up soil in your yard), peat moss and manure(compost) i add a little dried organic fertilizer to it also. everyone has there own formula, just make it up yourself and if it does not do good, then switch it out and try a different percent for the above mixture. It is like cooking, if you get it close enough it will work and be great.
alisande
13 years ago
If you decide to buy, be sure to get potting mix rather than soil.

You'll get lots of good information on the Container Gardening Forum.
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I made mine for the first time this year, and didn't use a wetting agent. I've heard of wetting agents, but don't know what they are either. Mine is based off an Eliot Coleman recipe, except I left out the garden soil. I'm using 2 parts coconut coir, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite. Plus a small amount of nutrients. So far it seems to be working for my soil blocks.
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The need to buy potting soil is going to makes this expensive!
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macbettz, yes, I do have access to plenty of camel dung when we go driving in the desert..especially the areas with the trees :) We see it all the time! If the dung is completely dried up does that mean it is aged enough? I will take some gloves for the next trip out to the desert :) tumblingtomatoes, I will keep an update as my tomatoes grow in the containers :) unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of cherry tomatoes. It might just have been the variety...but earilier this year my husband received a cherry tomato plant that we kept and my brother-in-law grew a TON of cherry tomatoes but they were just waaaaay too sweet for me. ok... I just did a google search for the Matt's Cherry & Spoon and found this blog post: http://www.thisgardenisillegal.com/2008/10/matts-wild-cherry-tomato-hannas-tomato-tastings-2008.html I think I might be ordering these now! I think my MIL will like this one. :D
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I have been using fafard baled outdoor mix or pro-mix for years. the 3.8 cu.ft. bale expands to approx. 7 cu. ft. when fluffed and is said to fill approx. 50 gal. pots. it consists of a peat based soilless mix with perlite, vermiculite, some dolomitic lime and a wetting agent. to me, it is easier and cheaper to buy it in this form vs. mixing my own. it is available from a local nursery for $30 before tax. they use it at the nursery for their containers and seed trays and stock limited quantities for retail sale. i have not found it at local big box stores so your best bet might be local nurseries. we have two good ones in the small market area of auburn/opelika so larger metro areas should yield more sources. the last time i bought a bale was several years ago. i take a portion of the bale and put in a large plastic box with lid so i can scoop out what i need easily. i moisten slightly before using.
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curt_grow
13 years ago
If you want year round plants check out the growing under lights forum. Lettuce, Pock Choi, radish, rocket, Chard come to mind as easy growers that do not require large lights

Curt~
glib
13 years ago
If you can find and mow a large number of dead leaves, the leaf mold makes the best soil. You can mix it with regular soil, and/or manure, or composted (even partially) kitchen scraps or yard waste. Basically, anything goes.

Something that helps is the introduction of a few earthworms in each box. They will go forth and multiply and create good soil for you out of unfinished organic matter, plus aeration and fertilization. I have earthworms in all my pots, and replenish them and their food every spring. One inch of organic matter per year is all they need to keep the soil fluffy and healthy.

For year round veggies, lettuce (choose a variety that does not bolt easily), herbs and chard are good choices. Lettuce and chard will eventually bolt and will need reseeding, but not before they gave you a lot of leaves.
taz6122
13 years ago
I've been mixing 3 parts MG potting mix, 2 parts sphagnum peat moss and 1 part MG perlite with great success. All my potted plants are thriving.
jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
13 years ago
Check out Al's Mix on the container forum. It is really good stuff. I have been using it in hanging baskets for tomatoes and grew a tub of lettuce and spinach last fall/winter.

Jay

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