Potting Mixes

[Joseph Clemens]

I use "Sunshine No. 1", growers mix (purchased in 3.8 cubic foot compressed bales at my local growers supply), I blend it with small grade landscape bark, half and half. It has good drainage, yet retains moisture well.

[needmore]

What is the cost for this in your area?

[Alan_L]

I used to use MiracleGro potting mix, but I've been mixing my own recently. I mix compost, peat, perlite, and some bagged topsoil for my mix. Can also add shredded pine bark if needed, and usually add a handful of some type of fertilizer.

(I need to calculate the costs, but it seems to be much cheaper than buying premade.)

[Joseph Clemens]

What is the cost for this in your area?

My most recent purchase of two bales cost about $30 each, though this is a significant increase since my prior purchase about a year ago. I get my bark from Home Depot, where it is sold for landscaping groundcover/mulch. It cost about $4 per 2 c.f. bag, but one year ago the price was only $2.50.

[ghmerrill]

I have had good results using a half and half mix of bagged garden soil, and regular potting soil.... I dont like how light the potting soil is, it drys out too fast here in the summer, and the plants have a tendancy to blow over in the wind more
with the mix, the soil is heavier, and it does not clump like if you used the garden soil by itself.

[watchnerd]

I've been using Kellogg Patio Plus, has worm castings, bat guano, peat, chicken manure, hummus, and bark. At least around here, you can find it at Home Depot for about $5 for 2 cu ft. I mix it with 25-30% perlite (it already has some perlite, but I want more).

The guys who grow marijuana plants in containers have a lot of good things to say about it, and if there is any group who are experts on container gardening, it's the pot farmers.

[marcat]

Since this one got restarted...I started using 'Coastal Grow' (Alamo Grow) from Gardenville. Buy bulk at about 26.00 a yard. Does real good on my tropical clumpers. It is local brush cuttings and sewage sludge compost. Very high nutrients and drains good.
Of course this is here in Texas but I wouldn't be surprized if it is going on else where.
MarCat

[needmore]

Dang, the cheapest stuff I can find here runs $6 per 2 cu ft and it is nothing special at all.

[watchnerd]

Dang, the cheapest stuff I can find here runs $6 per 2 cu ft and it is nothing special at all.

Yeah, unfortunately the Kellogg's products are only available in the Western US.

[needmore]

No Home Depots around here either and Lowes is quite high on potting soils, it costs me about $80 per truck load just to get bulk loads delivered and that tends to wipe out the cost savings and merely complicates things.

[watchnerd]

No Home Depots around here either and Lowes is quite high on potting soils, it costs me about $80 per truck load just to get bulk loads delivered and that tends to wipe out the cost savings and merely complicates things.

You should browse the marijuana growing sites to see if there any of them in Indiana. Seriously, those guys know how to grow stuff in containers and will have good pointers for materials in your area.

[foxd]

For what it is worth, the two nearest Home Depots are in Seymour and Greenwood. Brad is closer to them than I am. Off hand I would say the Greenwood one is closer.

[needmore]

But driving to Greenwood would more than wipe out any cost savings. The pakalolo growers around here have a stand alone garden center for their supplies and the prices are premium for high quality. I suspect that the concept of great soil at a higher initial cost means less need for frequent trips to the 'garden'.

[Alan_L]

Brad -- next time I drive in I'll stop and pick some stuff up for you, as I think we pass a Home Depot on the way. Truck is always empty on the way in.

[David]

Brad,

There should be sawmills and chicken/egg farms in your area. Add some coarse sand/ pine chips, let it all rot for a year and what you got is good cheap potting soil. Yes, as you know it's lots of work.

Maybe you could co-op with several other folks to get a truck load of bagged potting soil and share the costs.

Regards,

David