Re: Mixing up a new batch of potting 'soil'
Dale:
In the Twin Cities we have compost sites where we take our leaves in the
fall and grass in the summer. The two are then mixed & turned by our
Waste Management Div. When this is done, the compost is available to
the public free. I use this completed compost along with potting soil
and have not had any problems with my seedlings. The main reason I use
this is because of the cost. The compost stretches the potting soil.
When using this type of mixture or just compost, there is a very small
amount of nutrients in compost so using a weak fertilizer is needed.
If this is not available to you, you could start your own composting
using leaves, grass, water and a lot of turning.
June
Dale wrote:
>
> 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
> *-------------------------------------------------------------------------*
> 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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