Whether this is your first season growing in containers or your 20th, potting soil is probably on your mind. Perhaps you've priced it out and seen what it would cost and are considering how you can use less of it. Perhaps you've heard a thing or two about how peat moss, the main component in most potting soils, is not exactly sustainable. Perhaps you, like many gardeners, are simply the thrifty, resourceful type and you're already going through your mental inventory of old stuff that you can use to take up extra space in those extra large containers. Before you go one step further, let's take a look at the cold, hard rules of physics that govern how soils drain (click each image to see it up close):
Here's how water drains through natural soils, in the ground.
Here's how drainage works in a regular container.
And here's what happens when you raise the soil level in a container!
Finally, here are a few plant-friendly alternatives to raising the soil level.
Any questions? Ask below. I know its hard to believe and even counterintuitive, but it's true. Better to save your plants than to save a few bucks on soil!
From: johhny stocks | 4/11/11 at 11:29 pm
Awesome, truly inspired!
From: Stacey Hirvela | 4/12/11 at 11:42 am
Thanks, Johnny!
From: Jeff | 5/26/11 at 12:01 pm
Hi there,
What do you feel is the best mix for an outdoor window box generally – I realize the mix will be different depending on what you are growing, but I was going to suggest vermiculite and perlite 50/50 for the bottom layer and then soil on the top layer.
Do you have a preferred organic/green leaning garden supply store, please let me know. I live in Brooklyn and I’m finding it tricky to find exactly what I want without going to a Lowe’s or other big box type store.
From: Tony Bielaczyc | 5/26/11 at 6:09 pm
Hi Jeff, I wouldn't make layers like that in a potting mix, but blend well leaning more toward perlite for it's ability to allow quick drainage while also slowly releasing moisture. Vermiculite tends to just hold water longer and can compress quickly given it's softer structure. Regarding places in Brooklyn, I have always used the big stores but shopped for bulk items and shopped online for fertilizers, etc. Do you know these:
http://www.arbico-organics.com/ beneficial insects, organic fertilizers and soil amendments
http://sprouthome.stores.yahoo.net/ some options for organic fertilizers