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Garden Gate:  Potting Soil?  |
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formerfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Amber
Williamsburg
VA
USA
23 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 08 2009 : 5:25:24 PM
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Hi Ladies,
As a kid, I assisted my grandfather and grandmother with their two acre vegetable and flower garden. The fresh flower and veggie bug has bitten me, and I want to plant a few things this season. Right now I'm in a townhouse, so this will be a patio garden. I'm unsure about what type of potting soil I should get. Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks!
Amber
Just a Farmer's Daughter:
http://justafarmersdaughter.wordpress.com/ |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2009 : 5:52:12 PM
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I start my seeds with typical potting soil- ya know the green bag stuff that says potting soil, then when I transplant, I get a nice organic mix that is drought tolerant (Need that in Texas) I add a top layer of mulch to help hold water. I do all patio gardening right now and this seems to work. I also use my outdoor umbrella to control the heat here in Texas. Good luck!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Tin Lizzie
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Tx
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 10:18:51 AM
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| Get a good, name brand potting mix. A garden expert once told me to never buy PPPS (Pi** Poor Potting Soil),lol. You also need to buy a bag of Vermiculite and mix with your soil for your pots...it will help keep your soil "light" and aide it in not packing tight when watering. |
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formerfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Amber
Williamsburg
VA
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 7:22:34 PM
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Thanks ladies! I appreciate the advice.
What about this one: I heard you can use packing peanuts in the bottom of planters that don't have drainage holes. Is this true? Would that work?
Just a Farmer's Daughter:
http://justafarmersdaughter.wordpress.com/ |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 8:48:22 PM
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Hey Amber!
So I do container garden because I live in the city and I don't have any dirt around me to put anything in. I've never heard of packing peanuts. I would be careful. That is not something that is biodegradable and it may not be good for the plant or the soil. I've heard of using small rocks at the bottom. I haven't looked for any but I am assuming it would be at places where there is landscaping materials.
What you plan on planting?
Farm Girl Hugs!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 08:30:45 AM
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| Amber, I use styrofome peanuts in the bottom of my big pots. For one thing, it makes the pot easier to handle because they don't add weight. They do not decompose and that is a good thing. When I dump my pots in the fall, there they are just like I put them in and the roots of the plant are woven around them. The only problem I have using them is when I dump my used up plant in the compost bin, the peanuts go everywhere. You can reuse them, if you can catch them. Seems better to put them in the bottom of a pot instead of in a landfill somewhere. They are not going to decompose. However there are some new peanuts out there that disolve in water. |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 08:44:47 AM
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For my greenhouse, I only use "Sunshine", seed germinating mix, any other(in my opinion), has wayyy too much bark in it, and will not start seeds very well, I lost 2/3 of my greenhouse a few years ago to cheap potting soil, sooo, I learned a hard lesson, only the soil with no bark in it for me....
Farmgirl Sister #368
BRAND NEW PAGE>>>>>
PLEASE go to....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Tin Lizzie
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Tx
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 10:53:33 AM
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| that Sunshine is good stuff! I can no longer find it around here though! |
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formerfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Amber
Williamsburg
VA
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 7:12:20 PM
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Thanks for all the ideas girls! I'm really excited to get started, but I've got to put things back on hold for right now... Our sunny beautiful days have already headed back to 30s and 40s with lots of rain. Maybe next week!
Amber
Just a Farmer's Daughter:
http://justafarmersdaughter.wordpress.com/ |
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Garden Gate: Potting Soil? |
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Potting Soil?
