I need some help getting my mix right-ready to plant

[tulsanurse1]

I am also using coconut husk called Gro Brics from Spray-N-Grow. Not sure how I should mix this. Any suggestions? Do I need something else?

[rnewste]

tulsa,

I am sure you will get alternate responses, but I think you are missing a key ingredient for your Mix: Perlite. While the bark fines will help with aeration of the roots, adding in Perlite will keep the Mix light and fluffy - not allowing it to compact. My own trials have led me to conclude that a 3:2:1 ratio of potting mix, bark fines and Perlite gives me good results - both in my EarthTainers and Earthboxes.

During the course of the Season, your mushroom compost and bark fines will gradually decay and compress - hence the need for the stable Perlite component.

Raybo

[nctomatoman]

Ray, there is quite a lot of perlite in the MG mix....but I guess you can never have too much!

[tulsanurse1]

I forgot to include that I am also using coconut husks

[tulsanurse1]

I am using MG potting soil (not the moisture control), Pine Bark, Mushroom compost, and Scotts Humus and Manure. I am really wanting to add some organic calcium to the mix. Will I be OK?

[tulsanurse1]

I have:

4 cubic ft-MG Potting Mix (not moisture control)-it doesn't say for vegetables
2 cubic ft-Pine Mulch
3 Cubic ft-Sta Green Flower & Vegetable Planting Mix
40 lbs. FaFare Mushroom Compost
0.75 Cubic ft. Scott's Humus & Manure
6 Spray-N-Gro Brics-Coir Mixing Medium-


Regarding the Gro Brics- They are ground coconut husks. "One small brick become 2 1/2 gallons of growing medium". Goes on to say, they hold 5 times their own weigh in water, has a neutral PH, improves soil aeration and microbial activity. It's used as a "soil conditioner" with no fertilizer.

I am not using SWC. I know I need to have my perlite but I'm not sure how much I will need so I will go buy it once I know how much I need. Also, I plan on purchasing organic calcium but like the Perlite, I don't know how much I need. I will be using a 1 gallon pitcher to measure all this out. Any suggestions would be really appreciated as I am sooo ready to plant.

I need to make enough to fill five 22 gallon pots
Will be planting: Tomatoes, Red Bell Pepper, Jalepeno Peppers, Strawberries, Chives, and Green Beans

[Sherry_AK]

Do you mean 22 5-gallon pots? I'm having a hard time visualizing the 22-gallon pot.

The only suggestion I have is to be sure the Sta Green is a potting soil. I think I accidentally got some of that one year that was actually meant for adding to garden soil for in-ground planting. That's not ideal for containers.

I just use ProMix, perlite and compost for my containers. Sounds like you've got all the fixin's and I'm sure somebody will be along to help with the recipe!

Good luck with your garden.

Sherry

[tulsanurse1]

The containers are 22 gallons each. Here is a pic of it. It measure's 20.5" wide and 12" high.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...309757.1260342
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/User/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/User/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG]

[Sherry_AK]

Wowee! Those are very good-looking. I might have to pay a visit to Ace Hdwe. Thanks for posting the link.

Sherry

[tulsanurse1]

I actually got them at Lowe's for around $15.00. I think they will hold up nicely. Now if I could just figure out how to mix everything and get them planted lol.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Originally Posted by tulsanurse1

I am using MG potting soil (not the moisture control), Pine Bark, Mushroom compost, and Scotts Humus and Manure. I am really wanting to add some organic calcium to the mix. Will I be OK?

Are you using MG potting soil or mix? If it is soil it will be a very heavy bag/soil and may not allow for proper drainage but with your other additives that would help. I would just mix them all up and add the lighter ingrediants till you have a fluffier soil to allow for proper drainage.

Craig

[rnewste]

Originally Posted by tulsanurse1

I am using MG potting soil (not the moisture control),

Tulsa,

If you are using Potting SOIL in a Container, I think you are heading for Cardiac Arrest (I meant your plants)!

What you really need is Potting MIX. Here is what to look for:



Miracle-Gro Potting Mix will also work well, but is 35% more expensive than Lowes Sta-Green.

Raybo

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Ray I may have to check out the local lowes I only have 5 2 cubic foot bags of the miracle grow potting mix without moisture control. I see from your pic the stay green says aqua guard is that like the miracle grow moisture control? I ask as I used the miracle grow with moisture control last year with poor results I think the MG with moistre control was allot hearier of a mix.

Craig

[rnewste]

Hey Craig,

To my analysis, the Sta-Green "Aqua-guard" does not do anything "harmful" in a Container. Sta-Green seems to be comprised of more bark particles than Miracle-Gro, which I find more ideal for Container gardening.

As an added benefit, while Miracle-Gro (without Moisture Control) costs $5.00 per cubic foot, the Lowes Sta-Green costs me $3.50 per cubic foot. To be sure, the Miracle-Gro appears richer when you grab a handful, and is likely more costly to manufacture, but for my application, Sta-Green fits the bill.

Raybo

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Thanks Ray the MG mix 2 cubic foot bags I get are 8 dollars each so not much more then the sta green maybe a mix of the two would be a good trail this year but after last year I might just stay with the MG but might tray a comparison mix for trial.

Craig