Potting mix for containers
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
jodik_gw
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Best Potting Mix for Container Gardening
Comments (3)There really isn't any wiggle room to make mistakes with self-watering containers. You must get a soilless mix with excellent 'wicking' or capillary action. You know you have the right thing if it costs a fortune and it is very light to pick up compared to cheap bags that have soil. I would call around to nursery supply stores and find bales of Pro-mix BX. It is compressed and does, if I remember correctly, 3 to 3 1/2 boxes so you would need 2 bales. It is expensive but the mix can be reused over and over again according to EB and other EB afficionados--just cut off plant, remove leftover fertilizer strip, top off with new potting mix, add new dolomite and fert. I have always started with fresh mix every year but told this is not necessary. When reusing, if the mix in the box is too wet something is blocking drain and you do have to start over and dump that mix, add new to it and then repack. Or in Florida Home Depot has the brand Lamberts Potting Mix --get the largest bag--something like 75 to 85 quarts. One bag does one earthbox with some leftover. Around $14. Ignore any directions that say to add the mix in dry. Much better to moisten it first in a wheel barrel or the bag and don't forget to pack the 2 corners or you will get no wicking. Finally you said you didn't have any success before--did you add the dolomite (calcium and magnesium)? NOT HYDRATED LIME though some EB directions are outdated and still make it out that the two are interchangeable. Espoma makes Garden Lime and is available at HD and Lowes I believe. Bigger bags of dolomite are available much much cheaper but you have to locate them which isn't easy as places will try to sell you the hydrated lime. Fertlizer should be granular with the numbers 5 or higher but not over 15. (2 cups synthetic, 3 cups organic). They work fantastic, that is why you see so many home-made knockoffs being made based on the design features of the earthbox. Plus people want a larger Earthbox so they make their own (I have done it myself). Earthbox people have had requests to make a larger one but said the shipping of a large box would be prohibitively expensive. Good luck....See MoreTop Soil and Potting Mix in containers
Comments (5)Unless you start with a very large fraction of large particles, you should avoid small particles like sand and any topsoil/garden soil in your container media. We can actually quantify what makes a good container soil, and one of the requirements is at least 20% air porosity at container capacity (20% air when the soil is totally saturated). This is virtually unachievable, even in freshly made soils, with any combination of peat/compost/topsoils/garden soils where the top/garden soils are any significant fraction of the whole - and air porosity diminishes as the medium ages. Al...See MoreOld potting mix from containers
Comments (9)I reuse/recycle/rejuvenate mine year after year. The issue is maintaining, year to year, enough structure in the potting mix so that there is good water and air circulation. Its a bit counter-intuitive - you don't need to worry so much about the organic matter, but you do need to worry that there is enough perlite, dime-sized bits of bark, stones, etc so that the air gets into the mix. There are several threads over on the container gardening forum that address recycling container soils. Here is a link that might be useful: link to container forum...See MoreDo Commercial Potting Mix Contain Regular Soil?
Comments (19)I still think that some manure is added as fertilizer and manure is mainly regular soil. I can carry a 50 lbs bag of rice or other food easily. But that bag is very heavy. More than 50 lbs for sure. I think that bag is marked as 64 quart. With manure, small rocks make sense. I do not care about the $14 or so. But if I start many seeds over winter, I want the seeds to grow. I do not want to waste my entire winter just to save a few dollars. Here is what stated by the Lowe's reviewer. He is a 70 year old man, trying to lift this bag to his car. Then he had to drag it out again to return it.... Bad.... "The particular bag that I bought had been stored on a pallet exposed to rain. I first noticed that it seemed extremely heavy when I loaded it in my cart. ( I'm seventy years old and everything is heavier than it use to.) The next thing I noticed as I went to check out was an unpleasant odor that I assumed was from a broken sewer line nearby. I loaded the bag with great difficulty in my SUV. As I drove off I was overwhelmed with that same odor except stronger. Being quite sure I had not stepped in something, I associated the smell with the bag of potting soil. I returned to the store and with the same difficulty unloaded the bag and proceeded to seek an exchange. From the look on the sale associate's face I suspect that the reason for return is not often given as it stinks. From that point everything was very nice, I received a replacement bag from a different pallet and loaded it with ease (I felt young again) and later found the product to be of good quality as expected. Only point, bags can leak and potting soil left to soak in water tend to ferment..Be selective. " Remember, even composted tree barks, wood chips, etc, do not smell as stink. There has to be some animal content involved. And it smells when exposed to rain. This post was edited by RedSun on Mon, Dec 22, 14 at 12:25...See Morerooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agorooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years agoewwmayo
8 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years agoJane
8 years agofred
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoGary in Riverside Ca (USA) USDA Zone 9b; Sunset Zone 18
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agorooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years agorooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years agofred
8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agobragu_DSM 5
8 years agojane__ny
8 years agoGary in Riverside Ca (USA) USDA Zone 9b; Sunset Zone 18
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agofred
8 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agofred
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojane__ny
8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agojodik_gw
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoGary in Riverside Ca (USA) USDA Zone 9b; Sunset Zone 18
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojodik_gw
8 years ago
Related Stories
CONTAINER GARDENSContainer Garden Basics: Mix Textures to Catch the Eye
A mix of textures makes for potted gardens where each plant has a special role to play
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASStretch the Budget, Seasons and Style: Add Conifers to Your Containers
Small, low-maintenance conifers are a boon for mixed containers — and you can transplant them to your garden when they’ve outgrown the pot
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSContainer Gardening Basics: The Dirt on Soil
Learn the types of potting soil available and the best mixes to help your containers thrive
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDHow to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNSimple Container Plantings for Intriguing Garden Design
Beyond mere decoration, thoughtfully chosen pared-down pots and plants can be integral to interest in the garden
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENS9 Tips for Creating an Artful Container Garden
Make your potted plantings a beautiful sight with these ideas for container types, plant groupings and more
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSBeat the Frost With Natural Terra-Cotta Containers
Here's how to protect your pots during the cold winter months
Full StoryFALL GARDENING5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers
Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARD10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers
These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGBranches Bring the Winter Spirit to Container Gardens
Add dimension and drama to winter pots with branches from austere to downright colorful
Full Story
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)