Container soil mix questions?

seymour_man · May 3, 2007

I am a new member thanks to Gary M. of Louisville. A very nice gentleman btw.

I started raising toms in containers about 4 years ago.

I read all the homemade earthbox articles, etc and being a cheapskate

I improvised.

I took the 18 gal Rubbermaid totes, drilles some holes around the side at the bottom and filled with Promix, added about a gallon or so of manure with some lime and ferilizer and off I went. I did 2 plants per container and did some light pruning. I made cages out of PVC pipe. i just top watered as needed. I dump the soil every year because i am afraid to reuse it.

It really worked great and has so far.

My question is this:

I use 12 of the containers. Thats over 200 gallons of soil mix or about 30+ cubic feet. I need to come up with a cheaper mix or start saving some or all of my mix and reuse.

I had been buying the 2cf promix comprased bales from Home Depot. But that would still end up being around $80-100. And this year my local one doesnt seem to be stocking it.

I have thought about using Al's mix but (1) I cant find the composted pine bark fines only the regular uncolored, uncomposted pine bark mulch and (2) commercial size bags of perlite.

Does anyone have any suggestions? If I wanted to amend or should i say extend the Promix with less costly ingredients would the regular uncomposted pine bark mulf work? Any ideas on ratios?

Thanks for listening.

May 3, 2007	#1
seymour_man Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 48	Container soil mix questions? I am a new member thanks to Gary M. of Louisville. A very nice gentleman btw. I started raising toms in containers about 4 years ago. I read all the homemade earthbox articles, etc and being a cheapskate I improvised. I took the 18 gal Rubbermaid totes, drilles some holes around the side at the bottom and filled with Promix, added about a gallon or so of manure with some lime and ferilizer and off I went. I did 2 plants per container and did some light pruning. I made cages out of PVC pipe. i just top watered as needed. I dump the soil every year because i am afraid to reuse it. It really worked great and has so far. My question is this: I use 12 of the containers. Thats over 200 gallons of soil mix or about 30+ cubic feet. I need to come up with a cheaper mix or start saving some or all of my mix and reuse. I had been buying the 2cf promix comprased bales from Home Depot. But that would still end up being around $80-100. And this year my local one doesnt seem to be stocking it. I have thought about using Al's mix but (1) I cant find the composted pine bark fines only the regular uncolored, uncomposted pine bark mulch and (2) commercial size bags of perlite. Does anyone have any suggestions? If I wanted to amend or should i say extend the Promix with less costly ingredients would the regular uncomposted pine bark mulf work? Any ideas on ratios? Thanks for listening.