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| I was checking on my containers last night and noticed a few of them seemed to have either lost dirt or the dirt has become extremely compacted. I didn't open them yet to see what the exact problem is...
Has anyone else experienced this? Can it be fixed by adding more dirt UNDER what's already in the container? If they are losing dirt, it would have to be draining out of the bottom holes... how about taping some of them up? My concern is that there isn't enough dirt for these few containers to survive once the roots start growing. Any help/suggestions?? Thanks!! Em |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| You can expect some to fall out of the holes, but if a lot falls out your drainage holes might be too big. You can expect them to settle some too, but if you had adequate depth of soil it should be fine. You do have to firm it down as you prepare the container. What kind of containers did you use, and how deep is/was the soil? Karen |
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- Posted by hostarookie 6 WV (My Page) on Mon, Feb 14, 11 at 15:08
| I use milk jugs and fill the soil up to the bottom of the handle or so. I know it will settle, but it's way less than that now in the few that I'm worried about. What is the least amount of soil that would allow them to sprout/survive, 1 inch, 2 inch? |
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- Posted by liza070831 z4VT (My Page) on Mon, Feb 14, 11 at 15:55
| I usually cover the holes with tissue so that the soil cannot leak out. |
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- Posted by gardenweed_z6a 6 (My Page) on Mon, Feb 14, 11 at 17:11
| I haven't noticed the jugs losing soil out the drain holes but I use an ice pick to poke the holes so they're not very large. If you fill the bottom of the jug right up to the cut, then squish/compact it down and add more mix over that to reach the cut again, you should have plenty for the sprouts. I believe the rule is no less than 2 inches of soil/mix. Mine have between 3-4 inches when I set them outside but it compacts and contracts with the cold and sometimes looks a little less. |
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- Posted by ladyrose65 6bNJ (My Page) on Mon, Feb 14, 11 at 17:37
| Good Post! Hostarookie, I went outside and checked my jugs. I got the same issue, particularly with the bottles. It was 50F today. I was so hoping there was a sprout! |
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| What is the least amount of soil that would allow them to sprout/survive, 1 inch, 2 inch? That probably depends on what's planted in it. A few tiny seedlings might do OK in an inch or two. But a wall to wall chia pet of big seedlings with lots of leaves might not do so well. You might try what gardenweed suggested: fill, firm down, fill again, firm, then plant. Karen |
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