HelpfulGardener.com

This is a great topic for this time of the year! I have had gardeners suggest adding mild dish detergent to help the peat absorb water better. I myself have been trying many things so I can have a better plan for next year! I have tried to make all kinds of mixes that will work! I am looking for the jack in the bean stock mix that will go through the roof in few nights! Potassium for the roots nitrogen for the leaves but only in a mild easy access form so as not to hurt the plants!
+++The kelp sea weed liquid seems to be a good thing to mix lightly in the waering mix! Plastic inclusures in the form of pots or flats seems to work better that peat pots or a wick type drying product! So what do yopu suggest? How about a good garden soil right from your garden? I have been trying clay sand and perlite mixed with whatever potting soil I have bought! I have been mixing composted manure with the mix of clay peat and sand! Itseems like sand makes the roots pull up easier without disturbiing the roots too much! Suggestions???
I also like to up plant tomatoes when they are over 4 inches high in my planter boxes because it seems to disturb the roots much less.!

Worm castings would be magic. Expensive if you buy it but I've got 10,000 of my closest friends making some in the basement as I write this.

Bobberman wrote:This is a great topic for this time of the year! I have had gardeners suggest adding mild dish detergent to help the peat absorb water better. I myself have been trying many things so I can have a better plan for next year! I have tried to make all kinds of mixes that will work! I am looking for the jack in the bean stock mix that will go through the roof in few nights! Potassium for the roots nitrogen for the leaves but only in a mild easy access form so as not to hurt the plants!
+++The kelp sea weed liquid seems to be a good thing to mix lightly in the waering mix! Plastic inclusures in the form of pots or flats seems to work better that peat pots or a wick type drying product! So what do yopu suggest? How about a good garden soil right from your garden? I have been trying clay sand and perlite mixed with whatever potting soil I have bought! I have been mixing composted manure with the mix of clay peat and sand! Itseems like sand makes the roots pull up easier without disturbiing the roots too much! Suggestions???
I also like to up plant tomatoes when they are over 4 inches high in my planter boxes because it seems to disturb the roots much less.!

+1 Worm castings. What I like to do is make my own, If you go to your local pet store or chain pet store and get Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable substrate and one bag vitasand(its loaded with vitamins and minerals) they sell it for reptile pets. Soak 1 brick in 1 gallon of water. Add to this 1 bag Peralite. 1 Bag Vermiculite. 1 bag Peat Moss. 1 small bag composted Manure. 1 lb Bone meal. 1 lb blood meal. 1 box organic compost starter. Works well for me for sprouting and early growth.

Vance71975 wrote: +1 Worm castings. What I like to do is make my own, If you go to your local pet store or chain pet store and get Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable substrate and one bag vitasand(its loaded with vitamins and minerals) they sell it for reptile pets. Soak 1 brick in 1 gallon of water. Add to this 1 bag Peralite. 1 Bag Vermiculite. 1 bag Peat Moss. 1 small bag composted Manure. 1 lb Bone meal. 1 lb blood meal. 1 box organic compost starter. Works well for me for sprouting and early growth.

I personally think that's a bit much to add to potting soil.. vermiculite and peralite are basically the same thing.. no need to add both - same with the meals. you don't need compost starter either. but hey, if you have the money to spend - then go for it.. I rather keep my money in my pocket.

Ruffsta wrote:

Vance71975 wrote: +1 Worm castings. What I like to do is make my own, If you go to your local pet store or chain pet store and get Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable substrate and one bag vitasand(its loaded with vitamins and minerals) they sell it for reptile pets. Soak 1 brick in 1 gallon of water. Add to this 1 bag Peralite. 1 Bag Vermiculite. 1 bag Peat Moss. 1 small bag composted Manure. 1 lb Bone meal. 1 lb blood meal. 1 box organic compost starter. Works well for me for sprouting and early growth.

I personally think that's a bit much to add to potting soil.. vermiculite and peralite are basically the same thing.. no need to add both - same with the meals. you don't need compost starter either. but hey, if you have the money to spend - then go for it.. I rather keep my money in my pocket.

Well I can get most of that stuff on the list very very cheap so it works for me. The reason I use both Peralite and vermiculite is simple, with coco fiber and peat in the mix it compacts a lot.

I suggest loose the peat, and move onto compost. that alone will change the game. start amending the compost with aggregate materials and minerals and youll have your jack in the beanstalk mix.

Many nurseries have moved to wood chip / bark media. Keeping things light for transporting.

This year I'm using 2 Coir, 1 Sand and 1 Compost. Drains well, fairly light. No Damping off. Soil would be to heavy to transport to and from the Farmers Market.

Eric

I like the clay idea since it holds moisture longer. SOMEONE SUGGESTED A CLAY CATLitter. Not too good on these computers..

Cat litter or turface or NAPA floor sweep is good for a container medium-if the superfines ( powder size) is filtered/screened. They key is particle size vs. the other ingredients-and their interaction for proper moisture retention and drainage. All ingredients considered will depict how how often you need to supply water.

T