I use the 511 mix more since being on a roof, weight is an issue. The gritty mix lasts longer but weighs more. The 511 can be reused for up to 3 seasons. You will have to re-screen the bark to get the right size again. NYC climate is fine for outdoor use for either mix.

It's not easy finding the components for either mix in the city. If you find a good source for any of the components, please post.

Here is a link that might be useful: my gardenblog

5-1-1 is easier to make, lighter in weight, holds more moisture for Summer season gardening, and is more economical than many other pre-bagged mixes.

For tomatoes and peppers, I use the 5-1-1 almost exclusively.

Josh

I use the gritty mix for almost everything I expect to be in the same soil for 2 or more years - mostly all my houseplants, succulents, bonsai, and material I'm growing on as future bonsai. I use the 5:1:1 mix for things I expect to be in the same soil for 1 or 2 seasons only. That would be mostly veggies and mixed floral display containers, but some really vigorous perennial material (tropical hibiscus, datura/brugmansia ....) also get potted in the 5:1:1 mix.

Al

nycgarden and greenman thankx for answering.the weight issue is a good point never thought about.i ll post the sources once i got everything.nycgarden the rooftop's 2012 pics is nice.i live in bk let me kno if u need an extra hand prepping for the new season.really.

tapala now i got it.i could see why is it easy to prefer the gritty over the 511 mix..if the weight not an issue.i ll start with the 511 and later i will switch slowly to the gritty.thankx Al