#58756
April 7th, 2006 at 07:51 PM
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Member
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Hello everyone, I was wondering what type of potting soil to use. Miracle Grow is quite expensive than the rest of the brands. Are the other brands not good enough? I was trying to be a bit frugal while choosing the potting mix, is that worth it for the health of the plants? I use a miracle grow plant food though. Thanks Deepanwita
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#58757
April 8th, 2006 at 12:06 AM
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Official Blabber Mouth
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Official Blabber Mouth
Joined: Mar 2005
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Well some that is really cheap isn't potting soil at all its just plain old dirt. I made that mistake last year. Wal-Mart is great for having something really cheap that ends up being a rip-off. I think if you stick with name brands like Scott's and Miracle-gro and others like that; then, you can choose the cheapest of those. But I wouldn't go for the off brands. The chances of getting a bunch of weed seeds or poor soil instead of potting soil is just to great.
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#58758
April 8th, 2006 at 12:46 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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I have been trying all kinds of different soils this year. And the worst batch I got was a miracle grow bag. It grew as many mushrooms as anything else. Think I am going to stick with the cheaper stuff and just add perlite and compost to it.
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#58759
April 9th, 2006 at 07:14 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Oct 2003
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I use Pro Mix most of the time. I do NOT like Schultz's, WAY too heavy a mix IMHO.
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#58760
April 9th, 2006 at 07:26 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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I found that with the heavy soils, the perlite helps a lot! I can make my mix as light as I want with that. Great since I am doing so many different things.
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#58761
April 9th, 2006 at 08:52 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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The best soil I have ever used and still do, is E.B.Stone. It has bat guano, microbes, and other good stuff. It's about $7.99 for a 2 cubic feet bag. They also make organic plant foods. Good stuff !
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#58762
April 9th, 2006 at 08:10 PM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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~~~>That stuff sounds good Deborah... ****Deepanwita, I too got some crappy kind at Wally~World.. it was like a $1.50 for a 2 cubic ft bag.. But it was heavy as clay... I did use it, after all, between me and my mom we must have picked up 10 bags of it, but I used it along with homemade compost and a wee~bit of some bagged potting soil for an outdoor raised bed.. I would NOT use that stuff in like a hanging basket.. The only thing I can say is, when using a bag like a Miracle Grow mix, they are good for annuals.. that like a good feeding, but remember alot of times, it's for green growth... *a higher first number on the fertilizer list, ie: 10~10~4 or something like that, *the middle number is for flowering** I did end up getting the middle ranged price for potting soil and it was from Wally~World.. *I can't remember the name, but the bag is orangish~yellow* ![thumbup thumbup](/old/images/graemlins/default/thumb.gif)
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#58763
April 10th, 2006 at 05:56 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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If anyone wants to have a look at the E.B. Stone soil the site is ebstone.org/productsoil1.htm
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#58764
April 10th, 2006 at 05:58 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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Hope I did that right. Weezie, bail me out again, please ! ![gab gab](/old/images/graemlins/default/gabby.gif)
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#58765
April 10th, 2006 at 09:44 AM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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Yep, I copied and pasted and got there, a~okay! What nice stuff... and such a selection... Is that sold locally, or do you do it thru the internet?
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#58766
April 10th, 2006 at 10:03 AM
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Hello Everyone, Thanks so much for the much valuable advice. I will definitely take good care of choosing the potting mix next time. This time I got "Expert Gardener's" "Perfect Potting Mix" . Its relatively cheap. I wish I had asked you al before buying that. Hope that works. Thanks Deepanwita
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#58767
April 10th, 2006 at 10:32 AM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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That's it, from Wally~World??????? That's what I got last year.. *anddddddddd 30% off like 12 bags that were ripped* And pla~eeeeeeeeeeeeeeze keep us posted on how you do with your mixes and flowers.. We ![cool cool](/old/images/graemlins/default/cool.gif) love ![gab gab](/old/images/graemlins/default/gabby.gif) hear ![crit crit](/old/images/graemlins/default/critic.gif) updates!!!
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#58768
April 10th, 2006 at 11:20 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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I get it at the Armstrong nursery here.
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#58769
April 10th, 2006 at 09:00 PM
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Member
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Good to hear that I got the right mix ![smile smile](/old/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) . I got it at Walmart. I planted my tomatoes and peppers in bigger pots yesterday. Guess what, I got 4 large pots for free!!! My school gardener gave them to me, as he was emptying the pots and planting the plants in the garden I am a little nervous, because I had to scoop up the plants from my window basket, instead of upturning the pot (which you usually do). I am scared of any root damage that I have possibly done. Anyways, let's see how the plants do. I will definitely update you all. Ans thanks so much for your valuable advice ![smile smile](/old/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) . I really appreciate it Deepanwita
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#58770
April 10th, 2006 at 11:25 PM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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Did you notice a lot of tearing when you pulled the plants? If not, then I am sure they will be ok. When I have torn roots, I notice the plant may seem a little limp for a few days but generally recovers.
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#58771
April 11th, 2006 at 01:46 AM
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2006
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YEah, a little bit, but today mornign the plants weren;t looking too limp, I'll check on them again after I go back home today. Just praying they survive.
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