Dr. Earth???

louster · March 7, 2011

Just got back from my local garden center, and they are carrying a new line of soil mixes. Has anyone tried anything from Dr. Earth? One in particular I may be interested in as a soil amendment, it contains bat guano and beneficial microbes, among other good stuff. So, anyone have any experience with any of their products?? Did a search here, and that brought up anything containing the words "Dr." or "Earth". Tried putting the words in quotes, no luck. Guess I am not computer-literate enough to know how to do it properly!!

fortyonenorth · March 7, 2011

I've been using Dr. Earth "Potting Soil" for the last few years and I'm very happy with it. It sounds like I'm using the same thing that you noted - with bat guano, pro-biotic, and other goodies.

I start my seeds in soil blocks, which require a much bulkier mix than typical vermiculite based starter mixes. I made my own with a large proportion of the Dr. Earth soil - I've never had my seedlings do as well - large, stocky, well-nourished, etc. I had to sift it a bit for this purpose, because it contains some pine bark fines that were bigger than I wanted.

I also used it for my potted tomatoes, peppers and herbs and was very happy.

With regard to the search functionality...I'm a bit confused about this, too. If you go to advanced search and enter the phrase within quotes, e.g. "Dr. Earth" that seems to do the trick. As you pointed out, the same entry with the normal search returns all posts with "Dr." and "Earth".

louster · March 7, 2011

Thanks so much! Glad to hear your good report, now I'm really looking forward to trying some of their products. Now if it would just be spring!!

greenthumbomaha · January 6, 2013

Did anyone use Dr. Earth potting soils since this thread was started? I purchased Pot Of Gold at the recommendation of my local garden center, even though I have several bags of Pro Mix left over from last season. On a "different" type of growing forum, the members mentioned fungus gnats galore, as well as nutrient deficiencies. Again, not talking vegetables here. Would appreciate any experiences, especially with the gnats. - Lisa

Sun City Linda · January 6, 2013

I have used Dr Earth summer of 2011 and maybe some last year and liked it. I also think it is what my brother recommended in his book about growing organic in containers. He wasnt talking veggies either.

SEAMSFASTER · January 6, 2013

I used several of the larger bags of Dr. Earth Organic 5 blend in the transplanting holes for some of my tomato vines. Despite it being the hottest summer on record here, I had excellent production from most of the plants (1,300 plants, 500+ varieties). Without a controlled experiment, however, I cannot say if it was the Dr. Earth or other amendments (such as Azomite, sea kelp meal and others).

What I can say is the ingredient list is almost exactly like what I would compile for a complete blend. If it were sold by the truckload at a reasonable price, I might be one of their best customers. But around here anyhow, those little 12 lb. bags are only good for a tiny fraction of the operation, and they are rather pricey.

**mdvpc** · January 6, 2013

I used the Dr. Earth tomato food one year and it performed real well.

March 7, 2011	#1
louster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, MI Posts: 53	Dr. Earth??? Just got back from my local garden center, and they are carrying a new line of soil mixes. Has anyone tried anything from Dr. Earth? One in particular I may be interested in as a soil amendment, it contains bat guano and beneficial microbes, among other good stuff. So, anyone have any experience with any of their products?? Did a search here, and that brought up anything containing the words "Dr." or "Earth". Tried putting the words in quotes, no luck. Guess I am not computer-literate enough to know how to do it properly!!

January 6, 2013	#7
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	I used the Dr. Earth tomato food one year and it performed real well. __________________ Michael

March 7, 2011	#2
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	I've been using Dr. Earth "Potting Soil" for the last few years and I'm very happy with it. It sounds like I'm using the same thing that you noted - with bat guano, pro-biotic, and other goodies. I start my seeds in soil blocks, which require a much bulkier mix than typical vermiculite based starter mixes. I made my own with a large proportion of the Dr. Earth soil - I've never had my seedlings do as well - large, stocky, well-nourished, etc. I had to sift it a bit for this purpose, because it contains some pine bark fines that were bigger than I wanted. I also used it for my potted tomatoes, peppers and herbs and was very happy. With regard to the search functionality...I'm a bit confused about this, too. If you go to advanced search and enter the phrase within quotes, e.g. "Dr. Earth" that seems to do the trick. As you pointed out, the same entry with the normal search returns all posts with "Dr." and "Earth".

January 6, 2013	#4
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Did anyone use Dr. Earth potting soils since this thread was started? I purchased Pot Of Gold at the recommendation of my local garden center, even though I have several bags of Pro Mix left over from last season. On a "different" type of growing forum, the members mentioned fungus gnats galore, as well as nutrient deficiencies. Again, not talking vegetables here. Would appreciate any experiences, especially with the gnats. - Lisa

January 6, 2013	#5
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	I have used Dr Earth summer of 2011 and maybe some last year and liked it. I also think it is what my brother recommended in his book about growing organic in containers. He wasnt talking veggies either.

January 6, 2013	#6
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: American Fork, Utah Posts: 160	I used several of the larger bags of Dr. Earth Organic 5 blend in the transplanting holes for some of my tomato vines. Despite it being the hottest summer on record here, I had excellent production from most of the plants (1,300 plants, 500+ varieties). Without a controlled experiment, however, I cannot say if it was the Dr. Earth or other amendments (such as Azomite, sea kelp meal and others). What I can say is the ingredient list is almost exactly like what I would compile for a complete blend. If it were sold by the truckload at a reasonable price, I might be one of their best customers. But around here anyhow, those little 12 lb. bags are only good for a tiny fraction of the operation, and they are rather pricey.