Ran out of $....Making my own mix

Walt B. · April 27, 2016

First time dabbling with self watering containers. I built two sub-irrigated raised planter boxes..... and built them too large apparently. I didn't realize how much the growing media was going to cost. I'm going to need 28 cubic feet of mix for the first box and 23 cubic feet for the second. I was planning on putting tomatoes in the large one and other vegatables in the smaller one. I was planning on using Raybo's formula (3-2-1) for both boxes. I can't afford to use Promix as suggested.... its just too expensive for the amount I need. I picked up Premier peat moss from Lowe's....... fir bark fines (smaller than 3/8".....couldn't find pine bark fines).....and perlite to make my own mix. My questions are:

1) how much dolomite lime should I add?
2) will I be alright with the fir bark fines instead of pine? They're both softwoods....
3) I need some fertilizer recommendations for boxes this size
4) Do I need to add anything else ..... wetting agents, etc.
5) can I use Raybo's formula for most vegetables......or just tomatoes?

Thanks for your expertise.

April 27, 2016	#1
Walt B. Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 8	Ran out of $....Making my own mix First time dabbling with self watering containers. I built two sub-irrigated raised planter boxes..... and built them too large apparently. I didn't realize how much the growing media was going to cost. I'm going to need 28 cubic feet of mix for the first box and 23 cubic feet for the second. I was planning on putting tomatoes in the large one and other vegatables in the smaller one. I was planning on using Raybo's formula (3-2-1) for both boxes. I can't afford to use Promix as suggested.... its just too expensive for the amount I need. I picked up Premier peat moss from Lowe's....... fir bark fines (smaller than 3/8".....couldn't find pine bark fines).....and perlite to make my own mix. My questions are: 1) how much dolomite lime should I add? 2) will I be alright with the fir bark fines instead of pine? They're both softwoods.... 3) I need some fertilizer recommendations for boxes this size 4) Do I need to add anything else ..... wetting agents, etc. 5) can I use Raybo's formula for most vegetables......or just tomatoes? Thanks for your expertise.