Potting Mix Question

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 13, 2008.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Deb. This user is located in
The Pacific NorthWET - Sunset - W. Climate Zone 6. This was originally posted on May 13, 2008.

Am I remembering right that it is 1 cup dolomite for everything except tomatoes which will get 2 cups?  EB directions are different, but they weren't written for using extra coir.  My Master Gardener sis thinks that is too much dolomite, but its because of the acid level of the coir and peat, right?  I would be so pleased to show her just what an EB can do, especially after watching her weed the onions the other day. 

Deb

Yes, 2 cups for tomatoes, 1cup for everything else.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, carolg. This user is located in Denver, Co Zone 5. This user is located in May 26, 2008.

Howdy Donald,
After you fluff your soil with your hands adding the dolomite, are you then wetting down all the soil before you put the EB cover on top with that strip of fertilizer actually added before the cover is?

CO weather has been ?winterish? and got many plants, more than I want to count, that need homes. I will use the 10 EB I believe I am at as well as the ground.  Yes, you are so helpful always.

Carolg, z5, colorado

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, ccchang16. This was originally posted on May 27, 2008.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, JD. This user is located in Zone 8B: TLH, FL. This was originally posted on April 29, 2008.

I am preparing a variation of Donald1800s Potting Mix using the following (all from a local nursery):

Black Gold CocoBlend (2 cu ft) contains Sphagnum, Coir, and Earthworm casings (http://www.blackgold.bz/organic.html#WaterholdCocoblend)
Horticultural Vermiculite (8 qt bag)
Perlite (8 qt bag)

Will check the PH via a soil test kit once the EBs are delivered.

Concerning the soil amendments: I ordered Granular Azomite (www.thenaturalabode.com) and Gardens A Plenty organic fertilizer (www.gardensalive.com) to partner with worm casings and agricultural limestone already on hand. I play with the amounts using Donald1800s map as a guide

FYI. I am waiting on 5 EBs. The plan is 2 tomato, 1 lettuce, 1 spinach, and 1 corn/bean.

JD

How is that working for you so far?  I found BlackGold Cocoblend at my friends store, and is interested in using your mix. 
What's the ratio of your mix?

Christine

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 28, 2008.

carolg:
All addition of water to the mix is done while in a seperate plastic container and before placing in the EB.  After filling the EB, the only time water is added to the top of the EB is AFTER adding the covered fertilizer strip and mulch cover while watering in the seeds/transplants through the mulch cover planting holes - per printed instructions.

Donald1800

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, carolg. This user is located in Denver, Co Zone 5. This user is located in May 28, 2008.

Donald,
I think last year I wet the soil right in the EB. I suppose I screwed up then.  I bet the wheel barrel would be a great place to mix the soil then.  Thanks.

I know I felt the EB made at our nursery and the soil was wet.  Summer is not here yet and very frustrating as we have a short growing season too.  I may just have to get the plants and the EB done regardless sadly. 

carolg

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on May 28, 2008.

There is no intrinsic problem with adding water to the mix while you are adding it to the box, other than not having enough capacity to do a good job of mixing without a lot of spillage.  My only reason for mixing the Dolomite and water to the mix in a large plastic tub is the 2-3 times larger space for mixing without spillage.  You should be O.K. with doing it the instructions way.

Donald1800

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, carolg. This user is located in Denver, Co Zone 5. This user is located in June 3, 2008.

Donald,
Thanks.  I suppose Ill always be around asking questions, learning and hopefully helping others.  It takes a while for something so simple to click, but still I love all the sharing so have to find an excuse to stay and not leave. 

carolg denver co

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Zamfir. This was originally posted on June 8, 2008.

So what exactly is the perlite and vermiculite doing?  Can the box just use peat moss?  I added some of both but that stuff was expensive so I do not have 20% in the mix.  I used about 4 cups perlite and 2 cups vermiculite in each box with the rest spungham peat moss.  I hope it works!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on June 8, 2008.

I hope that you did NOT purchase these items in tiny bags at your garden center.  NEVER buy this size of ANYTHING.

Both help to bulk/fluff up the mix, provide air spaces for air/oxygen, and the Vermiculite also retains moisture for your plants.  BOTH are preferred in the quantities suggested.  Otherwise,  NO QUALITY POTTING MIX would include them.

Donald1800

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Zamfir. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

I did buy them where I got my peat moss which was a good deal but the other stuff was more $$ and they were small bags.   Do you think I will be ok with the 4 cups perlite and 2 cups vermiculite and the rest peat moss in the earth box or do I need to tear them down and mix more in?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, jer. This user is located in Zone 9 West Central Florida. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

I live far away from a place that sells pro-mix stuff, so i bought  some perlite, vermiculite, and sphan peat moss from hd. *had lime from planting potatoes in my ground garden* could i make my own pot mix or should I take it all back?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Zamfir. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

I did buy them where I got my peat moss which was a good deal but the other stuff was more $$ and they were small bags.   Do you think I will be ok with the 4 cups perlite and 2 cups vermiculite and the rest peat moss in the earth box or do I need to tear them down and mix more in?

No, that's not right. It should be more. Donald1800 has a very good custom mix... do a search to find his post with the recipe.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

Somewhere about 80% Peat, 10% Vermiculite, 5% Perlite, 5% Activated/Acid Washed Coconut Carbon is the ideal.  In general the Vermiculite:Perlite should be 2:1

Actually, There is a wide variation in the proportions of these ingredients between commercial producers and growers that make their own.  It has a lot to do with personal preferences.  They all work fine.  A workable formula without the hard to find carbon can range between 70% Peat, 20% Vermiculite, 10% Perlite to 85% Peat, 10% Vermiculite and 5% Perlite.

Donald1800

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Zamfir. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, Zamfir. This was originally posted on June 11, 2008.

I did buy them where I got my peat moss which was a good deal but the other stuff was more $$ and they were small bags.   Do you think I will be ok with the 4 cups perlite and 2 cups vermiculite and the rest peat moss in the earth box or do I need to tear them down and mix more in?

No, that's not right. It should be more. Donald1800 has a very good custom mix... do a search to find his post with the recipe.

Mickie

I know it is not enough.  What I need to know is do I have to un-plant my 7 earthboxes with the mix I used and fix it?  It sems I have about 90% peat moss and the rest perlite and vermiculite instead of the amount mentioned in Donald1800s post.  If the plants will be fine this year that is great and I will simply mix in a BUNCH more next year when I replant.  I am looking for suggestions on how dire my situation is currently.  

Thanks!
-Zam

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on June 12, 2008.

Here is a test you can make to help make that decision.

1. Are you using the AWS for your watering system?  If no, you may want to consider redoing the boxes.
2. Using a trowel, scoop down to about the middle of the mix, then grab and remove a handful of mix.  Squeeze firmly.  If water drips out, you may want to consider redoing the boxes.

On the other hand, you will probably do just fine leaving everything just as it is and waiting until getting ready to replant the next crops, unless you lose a lot of plants due to disease.

Donald1800