It's not truly 'organic' because it contains starter and slow release fertilizers, which are very likely synthetic in their origin.

It wouldn't be my first choice for a potting soil. I'd prefer something a bit more durable and with more texture, like the 5-1-1 mix.

Being organic these days is apparently different than being "certified" organic. Organic is a term that means that something is from the earth and decomposable, like peat moss, bark, compost, etc.. On the other hand, it seems that "certified" organic means a group of elitists have given something their oh-so-special blessing. For example, I grow a vegetable garden using all organic fertilizer including compost and chicken manure, and use no pesticides. Sounds like I grow organic vegetables, but because I have treated timbers for my garden edge, they're not "certified" organic. In short, don't look to far into the whole certified organic thing. Use your own judgement on that. Like gardengal said though, time release fertilizer is not going to be organic, so that mix is not 100% organic, if that matters to you.

As for the mix itself, I'm with gardengal, that something more durable would be better, like the above mentioned 5-1-1. It won't break down as fast and cause drainage problems like most bagged mixes do. Organic things that break down are great in the ground, but containers are much different, and things that break down aren't so good.

Joe

The organic certification is only relevant to those who want to a sell a product they can legally label "organic" - like farmers selling produce or livestock, composting operations, seed producers, etc. It has no bearing on the rest of us who prefer to live (mostly) without synthetic ferts and pesticides. At best we can call our produce 'organically grown' or 'naturally grown'. It's a subtle distinction but some hardcore organophiles swear by it. To them, one is not an organic gardener unless one is certified. Hogwash!! That was never the intent of the certification process and all it does is muddy the waters for those who prefer to garden without the chemical additions but without all the folderol that accompanies the certification process..

Thanks, all, for the guidance. I don't care about anything being "certified" organic, but I would like the vegetables that I grow to be free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. I can't create my own mix, due to lack of time and space & I would like to be able to refresh the soil again next year (vs. starting fresh with all new soil). My garden center carries Baccto veggie mix, while not labeled organic, does list the fertilizer as organic. My other option is Dr. Earth veggie mix. Which would you choose between the two? Thank you!

Personally, I really like Dr. Earth products. I have used many and they do focus on only organic additives. We carry their fertilizers almost exclusively as our organic offerings at my nursery.

The soil mix you refer to is intended to supplement inground gardening, not as a potting soil. While it probably would work well enough for this season (it is bark based), I would be reluctant to carry it forward into future gardening seasons. I just doubt you will get the same results reusing the mix, even with some refreshing.