| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
 Posted - 13/09/2008 : 19:59:28
|
When I only need a small amount I usually make my own potting mix with mainly compost mixed with a cheapish bagged potting soil and my usual plant food but when I need to do a lot of potting I buy potting mix by the trailer/ute load and mix it with compost as I need it... trouble is my compost is variable and I often don't have a lot, but I'm not keen on the straight bulk mixes available here. I'm going to have to source a local supplier of some additives or other ingredients to make my own that are cheap enough especially when I want at least a cubic metre of mix like I do now.
What does everyone use for potting mix?
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld
|
|
|
tessa
head gardener
Australia
3682 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2008 : 22:06:24
|
well...i'm happy to announce that today my 'slow compost' pile has come of age!
i've filled all my new pots (the local council is hosting the annual 'bring out your dead' and i've managed to snag quite a few large pots for my container garden) with my very own compost that was made with whatever i found on the property at any given time that even remotely looked like a candidate for the compost heap.
i'll let you know much later how it performs.
i transplanted the tomatoes out into it today. a big risk.
cranky people live longer. i'm going to live forever!
perth, wa |
 |
|
|
GardenDan
gardener
Australia
836 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 05:08:06
|
Gail, I think you already have my recipe...I combine the following: Vermiculite, Perlite, Peat Moss, a base (like river sand or some bulk, commercially available potting mix) in roughly equal quantities...and some fertiliser depending on what plants are gaining the mix. Eg Blood and Bone....etc.
Daniel
Happy Gardening |
|
|
|
Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 05:36:09
|
I meant to mention that I had your recipe Daniel  and it is a good one 
I'd love to use just compost but wouldn't have anywhere near enough. Your tomatoes should do well Tessa.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
|
|
|
GardenDan
gardener
Australia
836 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 06:04:28
|
Gail, if you decide you want the vermiculite and/or perlite - I guess you can get it up there. I remember the 'produce' store/warehouse on the northern side of town, western side of hwy. I bought bulk stuff there one day driving home from somewhere. If it is not readily available and you want some, please let me know. I will drive over to Gailes and get some and drop it when I go through sometime. Happy to help...if that suits/assists you! Likewise, I am not offended etc if you prefer not to use it. Just let me know if you want some.
Daniel
Happy Gardening |
|
|
|
Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 06:20:39
|
Thanks Daniel. I can get vermiculite in 100L bags here, not sure about the other things. Besides that produce you mentioned which does have a lot of good stuff  there is another place that is a garden and produce supplier which has a lot more, just got to get the chance to find out what else they have as it is in an area where I don't go much. I'm trying to do it as cheaply as possible too, miser that I am 
Also curious to know what others use
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
|
|
|
GardenDan
gardener
Australia
836 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 06:28:35
|
I will keep my eye posted on this thread too...for same reason...why pay more than we need too. We spend enough as it is I reckon. Would you mind PM me re the other place. I might try to check it out some time.
Daniel
Happy Gardening |
|
|
|
Pamela
head gardener
Australia
3949 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 08:20:57
|
Sorry I cannot help. NOt in the area and the only pots I have are for my rose babies and I am using peat moss/ river sand and then planting them in the garden as soon as I can. I am so busy that I know I would forget to water a pot one day and that would be the end of it in our stinking hot summers here.
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." |
|
|
|
The Estate
head gardener
Australia
3676 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 08:34:53
|
I buy the one above the cheapest, around $4 per bag and add, B & B, manure and seamungus along with water saving granules, miz up and wamm a grest mix, works for me
My basic weeding rule: if they grow in rows they're flowers;
if they don't they're weeds.
Melbourne |
|
|
|
Jacqueline
assistant gardener
Australia
249 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 09:31:08
|
I buy the potting mix already done in bags as we have small garden and I have(soon to be ammended)no compost pile.
I don't think I have ever used a potting mix as good as Searles peat 80 plus. This stuff is just brilliant. QLD made and owned too Gail. If you can add what these guys do then you are home and hosed Gail.
Here is a link which shows what they put in it....TRULY GREAT STUFF!!!!!!
http://www.searle.com.au/PottingMixes.html Just make sure it is SEARLES PEAT 80 PLUS you look at.
Jacqueline, Brisbane |
|
|
|
Val
assistant gardener
Australia
92 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 10:07:12
|
My favourite mix is :- 50/50 El cheapo mix and coir potting mix. I add seaweed concentrate to the water when I soak the coir. I add blood and bone, potash powder, seamungus, water retaining crystals and home made compost. The coir does not dry out as quickly as regular potting mix does.
Val |
|
|
|
tessa
head gardener
Australia
3682 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 10:08:07
|
so...what does perlite and vermiculite give to the soil?
i'll go google it...but if anyone has a quick answer...i'd love to hear it.
cranky people live longer. i'm going to live forever!
perth, wa |
|
|
|
The Estate
head gardener
Australia
3676 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 10:29:57
|
No idea Tessa I thinks assists with drainage 
My basic weeding rule: if they grow in rows they're flowers;
if they don't they're weeds.
Melbourne |
|
|
|
Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 12:39:42
|
Tessa, makes the mix lighter, aids drainage but also helps retain moisture.
Jacqueline, I agree with Searles, used it before, I think all their products are good but unfortunately cannot afford it in the amounts I need. The plant food I use has all the trace elements, etc so I wouldn't need to add any extra of that stuff at least.
Wish I could just use bags but I would need a truckload, some of my big pots use a bag by themselves and I have heaps of cuttings I want to do as well.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
A ounce of common sense is worth more than a ton of intelligence.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
|
|
|
GardenDan
gardener
Australia
836 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2008 : 13:40:21
|
That's one of the issues I have found with acreage - everything you do is big and expensive...but the joy of acreage living is worth it. It just takes me longer to save up for each thing I guess.
Daniel
Happy Gardening |
|
|
|
Marleneann
assistant gardener
Australia
363 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2008 : 12:41:43
|
My mix is very much like your mix.
Marleneann on beautiful Buderim. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked