Susan W wrote:Steve, let's go back to square one. How many containers, how big and what did you use to fill them? Warm to hot temps and plenty of rainfall a given for you, though you may need to water some if no rain for a week.
My containers range from 5 Gal buckets up to 15 gallon "pots" (the type nurseries have trees in). I used store bought organic compost, potting soil and topsoil. All in bags. I use a good amount of perlite in each container.
I just added 2 new 15 gal containers. In those I used 1/2 potting soil, 1/2 mushroom compost (it was on sale) vermiculite, perlite and 4 pounds of worm castings. The two new containers have Oak Leaf Lettuce and Little Wonder garden peas in them and the seeds just sprouted and are looking great.
All together I have about 18 pots and containers.
I was worried about the mushroom compost because some say seads don't like to sprout in it.
I have declared war on water retention. I will never (thats a long time I know) use peat moss again.
It rains so much here everytime a tropical storm passes that the containers fill up with water to the point where the plants get washed right out their soil.
I like my new mushroom compost mix with vermiculite and perlite. The water does not dam up but the soil stays moist for a long time after rain.
Anyway my soil in all containers (did not check the two new ones) tests between 7 and 8 pH I need 6 to 7 pH.
So I bought soil acidifier (an organic brand) It is interestingly enough made from elemental sulfur and gypsum. I just measured it out according to directions and now I wait 60 days to see if I managed to drop my pH by one point or not.
Interesting thing also... Found one guy who recommends adding in a few matches when transplanting tomatoes. Just thought I'd toss that out there.
