Soil vrs Soilless mix for Plastic Hanging Pot.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Today I purchased 1/2 a yard of 2 way mix. Sand and Compost. I also purchased a 1/2 yard of top dressing, "Mulch". This seems to be mostly fine bark. Mixed the two together and filled these 50 hanging baskets.

[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/DSC02915.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/DSC02923.jpg[/img]

After planting strawberies in 35 of them, my brother tells me, I shouldn't use soil in plastic pots. The pots don't breath, that's why there are soilless mixtures available.

I purchased the barch mulch to lighten the mix. My thoughts were, the mulch may tie up some nitrogen, but help with drainage. I will be fertilizing with liquid fish and kelp.

So I'm looking for some help here. Do I dump them out and buy soilless potting mix?

Eric

[applestar]

Here I have to say, as much as I dislike Perlite for various reasons, it helps to reduce the overall weight and I mix it into my own soil mix for hanging pots. It will also help with drainage.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Apple,

At what %

Eric

[DoubleDogFarm]

So I finished the last 15 baskets, with the 3 way mix. No perlite or vermiculite. 50 total with 3 plants in each.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/DSC02926.jpg[/img]

I'm wintering them over on this raised bed, mulched with duckhouse bedding.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/DSC02925.jpg[/img]

Then covered all with Agribon row cover. The hangers will keep the cover up off the pots, unless we have a freak snow this year.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/DSC02927.jpg[/img]

Any thoughts? Comments? I have 50 more hanging pots.

Eric

[Halfway]

Great idea with the hangers providing the "lift" needed to keep the cover off of the plants.

[applestar]

Sorry for the late reply -- about 25%.