Pro-Mix question from a newbie
sandywillow
10 years ago
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digdirt2
10 years agosandywillow
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Gritty Mix + Citrus Plants + Foilage Pro - Questions
Comments (80)So what do you suggest to test the water PH? Should I also check out the water quality report too? Where's the best place to find that out? I went to the water site for my city (Austin, Tx) but I'm not sure if I need to narrow by zip code? Here was the report: Davis WTP Ullrich WTP Parameter Units Method Cd T2,T2H T3 ----------------- ----- --------------- ----------- ----------- pH SU SM 4500-H B AVG 9.7 AVG 9.6 MAX 9.8 MAX 9.8 MIN 9.5 MIN 9.4 Total Alkalinity MG/L SM 2320 B AVG 61 AVG 67 MAX 65 MAX 72 MIN 56 MIN 62 Total Hardness MG/L SM 2340 C AVG 94 AVG 102 MAX 99 MAX 106 MIN 89 MIN 96 Total Solids MG/L SM 2540 B AVG 188 AVG 198 MAX 204 MAX 202 MIN 168 MIN 188 Total Chlorine MG/L SM 4500-CL F AVG 2.93 AVG 2.61 Residual MAX 3.25 MAX 2.80 MIN 2.70 MIN 2.30 Sulfate MG/L SM 4500-SO4 E AVG 36.4 AVG 34.4 MAX 37.5 MAX 34.4 MIN 35.3 MIN 34.4 Total Organic MG/L SM 5310 C AVG 2.70 AVG 2.60 Carbon MAX 2.96 MAX 2.73 MIN 2.45 MIN 2.46 Conductivity UMHOS/cm SM 2510 B AVG 335 AVG 354 MAX 335 MAX 354 MIN 335 MIN 354 Total UG/L EPA 524.3 THM AVG 28.9 AVG 35.9 Trihalomethanes MAX 32.4 MAX 42.9 MIN 24.8 MIN 30.8 Turbidity NTU SM 2130 B AVG 0.06 AVG 0.04 MAX 0.10 MAX 0.06 MIN 0.03 MIN 0.02 Drinking Water Quality Report Date Range: 01-SEP-2013 to 30-SEP-2013 Now what if I repotted plants from soil that had a bunch of fertilizer salts on the top despite not fertilizing? I'm using 5-1-1 mix, should I add dolomite lime or not because the water is too alkaline? Or is the problem that I haven't been fertilizing regularly?! AAAAh! I don't know where to start! lol!...See Morecutting sod, tilling, adding pro-mix - question
Comments (1)I'm thinking none of what you have planned is needed. If improving your soil is your goal, it can be done by you with less than $15 in materials. Not sure what you mean by cutting sod. Does that mean removing it? Removing sod does not improve soil. If you are rototilling to install a veggie garden, then you will destroy whatever soil structure you had. A lot of people think tilling is important, but I believe it is a waste of time for gardens. If you are rototilling in preparation for installing a lawn, then you will both destroy the soil structure and set yourself up for 3 years of heartache as your soil surface becomes bumpier and bumpier. Not sure what Pro-mix is. If it contains any topsoil or sand, then I would hesitate. Those materials will change your drainage which can be anywhere from inconsequential to devastating depending on how much they add and how much has been added in the past. You only need to add Dolomite if you have a recent soil test showing a deficiency. So if it is not too late to call these guys off, then I would stop them. Take a few days to figure out what the problems are and we can help you solve them without doing what you have planned....See MoreNewbie soil/mix question
Comments (11)Potting soil is heavier than potting mix. Potting mix is soiless. Potting soil does not drain as well. Most do not use potting soil unless they add things to improve drainage like peat moss, compost, vermiculite, etc. Too much work for me when I can buy potting mix that drains well. I use a variety of mixes. Last year some was from a local nursery made up of compost from the local yard waste facility and vermiculite and maybe some peat moss. It also was like a very fine mulch. It worked okay. Huge bark pieces do not sound good, any big pieces of bark or sticks, etc in the mixes I use are discarded before I sow my seeds. I don't like the moisture retention for seeds as feel it keeps the mix too wet though will use mix that contains it if that's all I have available and have not seen any mix with weed-killing additives so don't worry about the lack of those. Added fertilizer is also not needed as the seedlings get transplanted while they are very tiny so don't have time to use the fertilizer. (OK, sometimes I don't get those seedlings planted out right away. Then I water with a weak water soluble fertilizer.)...See MoreNewbie question about SFG mix
Comments (10)I contacted Sun Grow the company that packages the mica flake vermiculite last summer. They responded that it was the same that was used in commercial greenhouse operations. It is medium grade instead of coarse. I used medium grade in making my beds. That is a very good price. I mixed 224 cubic feet and that price would have saved me a ton of money. I am thinking of making more beds so I will be going there if I do. I have two 4 x 16 and two 4 x 12 beds. Two of them were planted in last fall and this spring and summer. They both dropped three to four inches. I added peat moss and more compost to bring back to level and then mixed it all in. Your zone says 5 MO. If you are close to Kansas City or St. Louis, both cities have companies that sell compost in bulk. That could help you in locating your different sources of compost. I have been very pleased with the results using Mel's Mix. Good luck. Donnie Mac...See Moredigdirt2
10 years agosandywillow
10 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
10 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
10 years ago
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