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[INDOOR-GARDENING:27] Re: Water


>Hello, my name is Helen and I am recently wondering about my water...  Is
it
>possible that the water is responsible for the soil in my pots becoming
very
>hard and dry after awhile?  It's actually a kind of "shrinking" - despite
>the vermiculite and sand I put into potting soil, after awhile it seems
>there's less of the stuff in the pots and it's feels hard and light, almost
>like styrofoam.  Is it due to some sort of chemicals in the water I use?
>
>Thanks for your help.
>
Hi Helen:

I don't think so.  I gather from your post that you are using real soil for
the base of your mix.  Over time this becomes exhausted and  becomes what
you describe.  Adding some peat moss, even as much as half will help the
structure.  On the other hand letting peat moss mixtures dry out completely
will cause problems as it is hard to get the mix wet again.  The best way is
to set the pot up to the rim in a pot of warm water untilt the whole mix is
wet, then drain.

Hope this helps.

Ruth  Z
email: rzavitz@execulink.com
Freelance writer and gardening consultant in snowy southwestern Ontario
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