Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, serafine. This was originally posted on April 25, 2009.
Well, for starter, I am probably responding on the wrong link. But I know the folks on here will forgive me. I just completed an exhaustive EB search to try and figure out all the solid as well as conflicting info on soil mixes for the EBs. So many folks on here offer great advice, but it left me a bit confused once I arrived at my local nursery, after calling first to enquire if they had a "peat based potting mix"---a statement made on the EB site under
Questions/Answers for "what kind of potting mixture should I use?"
Geez Louise! I love my local garden center folks, but they were so far from understanding the "EB" concept that I had to bite my tongue. In any event , I decided to try 2 different mixes, and will be tracking the results carefully, for my own sake and for my local nursery that I do so love, but who really needs some "proof" about EBs.
Looking for feedback from anyone: here's the 2 soil mixes I will be using and "judging":
Product #1
"Black Gold Waterhold Potting Soil":
this mix is formulated and contains a blend of:
50-60% Canadian sphagnum peat moss
coconut coir pith
one more of the following: pumice, cinders or perlite.
worm castinfs, dolomite lime and an organic wetting agent (yucca extract)
**Is there something I should add to cut down on what they call the "waterhold" status??
**Do I add dolomite to the tomatoes if I use for planting the toms???
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Product #2
"Happy Frog": composted forest humus, soagnum peat moss, perlite, earthworm castings, bat guano, humic acid (derived from Leonardite), oyster shell and dolomite lime
**Do I add dolomite to the tomatoes if I use this for planting the toms??
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Someone mentioned earlier "Gardeners Gold", which I also have used. It has a blend of: Fir bark fines, forest humus, peat moss, perlite, composted, chicken manure, worm castings, bat guano, kelp meal, oyster shell + dolomite lime this worked for me the last 2 years, but can I do better with either of the other new choices???
So confusing at times! I actually ran into my 79 yr. old mom at the nursery when I was buying the soils I just described. She was there to get some computers for HER EarthBox...and left with a fertilizer that was not in range that EB recommends (keeping the label numbers all between 5 and 15). The nursery swore by the fertilizer product, so well see what she ends up with! Its all about the adventure...my opinion. Still, I look forward to any responses!!