What should I put my plants in next?

Ghawdex · April 5, 2015

Hello all,

My plants are starting to get a bit bigger now and will need bigger pots to be placed in.

They are all indoors as of right now, as the weather is still iffy here, and probably will be until the end of April.

I plan on putting them in a gallon pot, but I am unsure of what to plant them IN, as in what kind of soil/mixture to use. I have been told not to buy the 'brand' name 'junk' and the local nurseries still don't have anything in yet, was told in a week or two.

Anyways, what kind of mixture should I be looking for? I will eventually be putting my plants in a raised plant bed, once the weather is proper.

Thanks!

ContainerTed · April 5, 2015

Go get you a bag of Miracle Grow or similar product at Lowes or Wally World. Those plants only need room to expand their root systems and a little bit of fertilizer. I don't know who told you not to get the "Brand Name" stuff, but I've been doing the Brand Name stuff for decades. It works quite well and is not as expensive as some of the "Not Brand Name" products.

Thinking about some of those complicated formulas for potting mix gives me a headache. Takes away from my fishing and golfing time.

Father'sDaughter · April 5, 2015

Just stay away from the Miracle Grow Moisture Control stuff. The regular Miracle Grow Potting Mix is what you should look for.

Gardeneer · April 6, 2015

I second : NO Moisture Control.

ContainerTed · April 6, 2015

Agree on the "NO MOISTURE CONTROL" stuff.

Rfdillon · April 6, 2015

What negative effect does the "moisture control" soil have?

Ed of Somis · April 6, 2015

Many growers are not aware of how "moisture control" type potting mixes actually work. It is not magic. The "polymer" balls inserted into the mix absorbs moisture. Those polymer balls hold that moisture to be used later and SLOWLY released back into the mix over much time. It actually does work. However, this is what contributes to the slow-draining muck in the bottom of your pot. Haven't you noticed that muck when you dump those pots out? Roots will not grow in that crap (no aeration). Adding broken glass, sand, marbles, or rocks to the bottom does not help! I use this mix ONLY for my wife's hanging baskets that are subjected to drying on all sides...because she uses the "open" framed baskets with the "coir type" mat that dries out the mix very quickly. Hope this helps...

heirloomtomaguy · April 6, 2015

If you have a hydroponics store anywhere near you they carry quality soil year round. If your lookin to not buy soil from the big box stores.

Ghawdex · April 6, 2015

I did some research, and went to my local hydroponic store. I ended up getting Foxfarm ocean forest.

luigiwu · April 7, 2015

I also use commerically bagged potting MIX. I think the key is to use potting MIX (not potting soil.)

April 5, 2015	#1
Ghawdex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NY Posts: 22	What should I put my plants in next? Hello all, My plants are starting to get a bit bigger now and will need bigger pots to be placed in. They are all indoors as of right now, as the weather is still iffy here, and probably will be until the end of April. I plan on putting them in a gallon pot, but I am unsure of what to plant them IN, as in what kind of soil/mixture to use. I have been told not to buy the 'brand' name 'junk' and the local nurseries still don't have anything in yet, was told in a week or two. Anyways, what kind of mixture should I be looking for? I will eventually be putting my plants in a raised plant bed, once the weather is proper. Thanks!

April 5, 2015	#2
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Go get you a bag of Miracle Grow or similar product at Lowes or Wally World. Those plants only need room to expand their root systems and a little bit of fertilizer. I don't know who told you not to get the "Brand Name" stuff, but I've been doing the Brand Name stuff for decades. It works quite well and is not as expensive as some of the "Not Brand Name" products. Thinking about some of those complicated formulas for potting mix gives me a headache. Takes away from my fishing and golfing time. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

April 6, 2015	#5
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Agree on the "NO MOISTURE CONTROL" stuff. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

April 6, 2015	#8
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	If you have a hydroponics store anywhere near you they carry quality soil year round. If your lookin to not buy soil from the big box stores. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

April 7, 2015	#10
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I also use commerically bagged potting MIX. I think the key is to use potting MIX (not potting soil.) __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

April 5, 2015	#3
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	Just stay away from the Miracle Grow Moisture Control stuff. The regular Miracle Grow Potting Mix is what you should look for.

April 6, 2015	#4
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,918	I second : NO Moisture Control.

April 6, 2015	#6
Rfdillon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 121	What negative effect does the "moisture control" soil have?

April 6, 2015	#7
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Many growers are not aware of how "moisture control" type potting mixes actually work. It is not magic. The "polymer" balls inserted into the mix absorbs moisture. Those polymer balls hold that moisture to be used later and SLOWLY released back into the mix over much time. It actually does work. However, this is what contributes to the slow-draining muck in the bottom of your pot. Haven't you noticed that muck when you dump those pots out? Roots will not grow in that crap (no aeration). Adding broken glass, sand, marbles, or rocks to the bottom does not help! I use this mix ONLY for my wife's hanging baskets that are subjected to drying on all sides...because she uses the "open" framed baskets with the "coir type" mat that dries out the mix very quickly. Hope this helps...