Mixing up a new batch of potting 'soil'
- To: propagation@mallorn.com
- Subject: Mixing up a new batch of potting 'soil'
- From: D*
- Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 11:18:04 -0400
To all the great gardening minds out there in cyberspace,
I'm potting up a large number of perennials and ornamental grasses this
year and I need your opinion.
Large divisions require large pots (1/2 gallon and up) and large pots
require lots of potting soil. I'm sure you've all been there!
And there lies my problem. Last year I used a mixture of purchased triple
mix (compost, mushroom compost, and top soil) and Pro mix (soil-less mix).
Many plants did ok, some did poorly and quite a few died! So .... I'm not
going to try that particular mixture this year.
Experiments do continue and this year I propose to use my old path mulch.
The paths in our veggie garden have been mulched with sawdust for the past
5 or 6 years. It works great at keeping the weeds down and is quite nice to
walk on. Over time this mulch breaks down and needs to be replenished or
replaced. It becomes hospitable to worms and weeds alike.
So ... I'm planning to use this 'composted' mulch as my potting 'soil'.
Using a very coarse method of measurement it appears to have a pH of 6.9 -
7.0 and when wet remains quite friable.
Can any of you think of reasons why this might not work. OR .. have any of
you tried this particular brand of 'potting soil'?
Before I get to many things potted up I'd really like a few other opinions.
Thanks,
Dale
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Dale Smith, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, Zone 5 (min -20C)
**please note the change in our email address**
<raydale@amtelecom.net>
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