I am gonna need a bunch of soil this year, what do you recommend?

Boarhead · December 31, 2011

I did 9 plants last year in 5 gallon bucket. I just used Miracle grow garden soil that I bought cheap at Sams and the plants out-grew the buckets and cages. I ended up having to put 8ft PVP pipe tubes in all the containers and tie the plants up since they were growing over the cages. This year I am doing things a little different & hopefully better. I have been saving up 12 gallon buckets from work and I think they will give the tomatoes plenty of room. The 12 gallon buckets are 22" tall and 14" diameter. I will buy some 6ft or taller welded wire (the tallest I can find) and make my own cages.

I feel like I have the buckets/cages figured out, so now its time to start planning the soil. I didn't realize until after I planted last year that I had bought garden soil and not potting soil. But, the plants seemed to do really well. I also have started a 80 gallon compost bin last year that I will be making compost tea with.

What will be a good media to grow them in that is fair priced and hopefully available at HD or Lowes. I have twelve buckets so I will need around 144 gallons or 20 CuFt of media. Looking to keep the price to about $150 or under. Should I do 4" of gravel/pebbles in the bottom of each bucket to help aid drainage?

Here is what I am growing. (I sorta have a thing for Wild Boar Farms)
4x PINK BERKELEY TIE-DYE
4x SOLAR FLARE
4x PINEAPPLE PIG

Thanks for reading.

December 31, 2011	#1
Boarhead Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 34	I am gonna need a bunch of soil this year, what do you recommend? I did 9 plants last year in 5 gallon bucket. I just used Miracle grow garden soil that I bought cheap at Sams and the plants out-grew the buckets and cages. I ended up having to put 8ft PVP pipe tubes in all the containers and tie the plants up since they were growing over the cages. This year I am doing things a little different & hopefully better. I have been saving up 12 gallon buckets from work and I think they will give the tomatoes plenty of room. The 12 gallon buckets are 22" tall and 14" diameter. I will buy some 6ft or taller welded wire (the tallest I can find) and make my own cages. I feel like I have the buckets/cages figured out, so now its time to start planning the soil. I didn't realize until after I planted last year that I had bought garden soil and not potting soil. But, the plants seemed to do really well. I also have started a 80 gallon compost bin last year that I will be making compost tea with. What will be a good media to grow them in that is fair priced and hopefully available at HD or Lowes. I have twelve buckets so I will need around 144 gallons or 20 CuFt of media. Looking to keep the price to about $150 or under. Should I do 4" of gravel/pebbles in the bottom of each bucket to help aid drainage? Here is what I am growing. (I sorta have a thing for Wild Boar Farms) 4x PINK BERKELEY TIE-DYE 4x SOLAR FLARE 4x PINEAPPLE PIG Thanks for reading.