Making my own soil mix for grow bags and containers - Page 2

JamesL · April 8, 2012

Barb,
I would agree, it would appear to be more of a labeling issue, and you are right, you need to read them! Soiless media, growing media or medium are other terms bandied about.
The link you posted does a good job describing them.

Reminds me of the old saw on the difference between soil and dirt.
Soils is what you work with in the garden, dirt is what you take out of your boots at the end of the day.
Redwood, I did some research - it is considered softwood and I found some online commentary about its use in containers with no issues.

casserole · April 28, 2012

Potting 'soil' has dirt - soil - as it's base. How much dirt it contains varies from brand to brand. Potting mix does not contain dirt - it is a blend of peat or the equivalent and other components such as vermiculite or perlite and seldom contains ANY soil per se. Potting mix is best for containers as it is lighter, doesn't compact as soil does, drains better, and allows more air to get to the roots

Tracydr · April 28, 2012

Is cedar bark ok?
Can DE cat litter be used for any part of the mix? How much and for which part would it be used?

Vinny · April 29, 2012

I think the problem with using "bark" is that the pieces are far to big. Pine bark fines are hard to substitute for and are darn near impossible to find as far as I can tell unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to have it shipped to you from somewhere. I use MG potting mix with a little cow manure compost thrown in sometimes a little bit of worm castings. Soil has never been an issue for me but I do use grow bags and they drain very well, and I think that really comes into play when your talking about containers. I think because grow bags drain from everywhere you can use a soil that doesn't normally drain as well in a pot or some other container.

elight · April 29, 2012

Indeed, I found the pine bark fines difficult to locate as well. Ultimately, I contacted Kambark via e-mail, and gave them my area code, and they sent me back a list of their distributors in my area code. There was one that was only 15 minutes away. Sure was easier than calling every single nursery in the tri-state area and asking if they carried it.

Jaysan · April 29, 2012

I have used the 511 in 18 gallon storage containers successfully.
Of course if you use a different size container the amounts change.

1-1.5 cubic foot bag of "soil conditioner" from Lowes or walmart
1-8 quart bag of peat moss. if you are going to do more than one you can save by buying a large bag at Lowes.
1-8 quart bag of perlite. Can save if you can find it in a larger bag. I could not.
1 to 2 cups powdered dolomite lime

I put it in thirds in a 30 gallon container and mix by hand. It's too hard to mix all at once.
Then pour it over in the 18 gallon container.

Make sure you have plenty of drainage holes in the bottom of your container.
And make sure you wear a dust mask while mixing.

The mix drains well but hold moisture well also. It is hard to over water his stuff as the excess just drains out.

April 8, 2012	#16
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Barb, I would agree, it would appear to be more of a labeling issue, and you are right, you need to read them! Soiless media, growing media or medium are other terms bandied about. The link you posted does a good job describing them. Reminds me of the old saw on the difference between soil and dirt. Soils is what you work with in the garden, dirt is what you take out of your boots at the end of the day. Redwood, I did some research - it is considered softwood and I found some online commentary about its use in containers with no issues.

April 28, 2012	#17
casserole Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dousman, WI Z5 Posts: 95	Potting 'soil' has dirt - soil - as it's base. How much dirt it contains varies from brand to brand. Potting mix does not contain dirt - it is a blend of peat or the equivalent and other components such as vermiculite or perlite and seldom contains ANY soil per se. Potting mix is best for containers as it is lighter, doesn't compact as soil does, drains better, and allows more air to get to the roots

April 28, 2012	#18
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Is cedar bark ok? Can DE cat litter be used for any part of the mix? How much and for which part would it be used?

April 29, 2012	#19
Vinny Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Homosassa, FL Posts: 63	I think the problem with using "bark" is that the pieces are far to big. Pine bark fines are hard to substitute for and are darn near impossible to find as far as I can tell unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to have it shipped to you from somewhere. I use MG potting mix with a little cow manure compost thrown in sometimes a little bit of worm castings. Soil has never been an issue for me but I do use grow bags and they drain very well, and I think that really comes into play when your talking about containers. I think because grow bags drain from everywhere you can use a soil that doesn't normally drain as well in a pot or some other container.

April 29, 2012	#20
elight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 349	Indeed, I found the pine bark fines difficult to locate as well. Ultimately, I contacted Kambark via e-mail, and gave them my area code, and they sent me back a list of their distributors in my area code. There was one that was only 15 minutes away. Sure was easier than calling every single nursery in the tri-state area and asking if they carried it.

April 29, 2012	#21
Jaysan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 167	I have used the 511 in 18 gallon storage containers successfully. Of course if you use a different size container the amounts change. 1-1.5 cubic foot bag of "soil conditioner" from Lowes or walmart 1-8 quart bag of peat moss. if you are going to do more than one you can save by buying a large bag at Lowes. 1-8 quart bag of perlite. Can save if you can find it in a larger bag. I could not. 1 to 2 cups powdered dolomite lime I put it in thirds in a 30 gallon container and mix by hand. It's too hard to mix all at once. Then pour it over in the 18 gallon container. Make sure you have plenty of drainage holes in the bottom of your container. And make sure you wear a dust mask while mixing. The mix drains well but hold moisture well also. It is hard to over water his stuff as the excess just drains out.