skip to main content

Container Gardening

Potting Soil

12 years ago

Hi Everyone,

So I need to find a potting soil that my aunt can use without having to go through to much work. I don't think shipping her 511 mix would be cost effective. I was thinking of telling her that 50/50 commercial potting soil and vermiculite should be easy enough for her to make without needing to move too much and it should be well draining enough for a few of her container veggies she wants to try this year.

Does that sound okay to you guys, or could you suggest another "easy for older person to make" soil that actually does ok?

Thanks for the help everyone!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

TheMasterGardener1
12 years ago
Use perlite not vermiculite.
tommyr_gw Zone 6
12 years ago
I agree, use perlite.
jodik_gw
12 years ago
I, too, agree... perlite.

Vermiculite has a tendency to hold way too much moisture.

It might also be a good idea to kind of sift out the dust that often comes with perlite, so you're left with pieces that will actually help instead of hinder.
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
I,too,agree...perlite.

Mike

Related Stories

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Gardening Basics: The Dirt on Soil

Learn the types of potting soil available and the best mixes to help your containers thrive

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Got alkaline soil? Learn how to manage it and the many beautiful plants that will thrive in this ‘sweet’ soil

FARM YOUR YARD How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden

By Abundant City

The nutrients in your soil feed the plants that feed you. Here are tips on getting it right — just in time for planting season

GARDENING GUIDES How to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

There's more to topdressing than shredded wood. Learn about mulch types, costs and design considerations here

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Solutions for Soggy Soil

By Steve Asbell

If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O

SPRING GARDENING How to Grow a Rose Garden in Pots

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Everything can come up roses, even without a plot of soil in sight. This step-by-step guide to growing roses in containers shows you how

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

WINTER GARDENING Winter Gardening: Ideas for a Dream Potting Room

By Becky Harris

Check out potting rooms that get indoor gardening right — and learn tips for creating your own

CONTAINER GARDENS Solve Your Garden Border Dilemmas With Planted Pots

Set your containers free from the patio — placed among plantings in the ground, they fill unsightly gaps, let you experiment and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

How do I save my snake plant

5

How I Turned a Galvanized Stock Tank into a Stylish Planter

6

How to prune dracaena

0

Gashed caused on ponytail palm. Is it a goner?

9

Planting in small concrete planters

2