Hi all!
Well this is probably a stupid question, but it's nagging at me so I'll
ask it anyway. I'm planting my veggies in containers because I still haven't
built my raised beds. I bought a bunch of Twin Oaks potting soil from the
nursery and have been happily potting up my peppers and such. I went back
to get more and this latest batch stinks like, well..gasoline. The inside of
my car smells... The soil seems to smell better once it's aired out. Now,
I'm guessing that it might be built up anerobic bacteria or something like
that but since I'm planting veggies I wanted to ask your opinion. Has
anyone run across this? I called the nursery and they said it was probably
just the plastic since it is piled up and stored in a warehouse. The bag
says it contains natural humus, spaghnum, sand and perilite.
What do you think?
Thanks!!
Sharon Stewart
zone 6, New Jersey
Hi Sharon,
That happened to me once too. I can't say that it smelled
like gasoline, but it was awful. Bleah. I was driving down the
road (I had the soil in the trunk) when the odor started whafting
up through the car. I took a good sniff and my eyes-crossed.
By the time I got home the trunk had to be aired out.
I dumped the bags outside by a bush and I could smell it
everytime I walked by.
I think someone said it was decomposing roots and stuff
from whereever they got the soil.
They didn't catch me again. :-))
I buy EarthGro now -- maybe not as nutrient rich but
just plain old black dirt.
June Zone 6
Sharon Stewart wrote:
Mfg in Linden? Elizabeth???
jknoble@warwick.net
NW NJ, zone 6/5
June,
Well, I feel a little better now. Thanks for sharing your experience. Boy,
the smell sure turned my stomach. Yuck!! I had to air out the garage. I
don't think I've seen EarthGro at our nurseries. It seems to be the Sunshine
water retention mix (very expensive), this twin oaks stuff and straight
topsoil. The twin oaks stuff never smelled before, that's why I was nervous.
I pictured myself giving the baby peppers grown in petroleum (or worse) :-)
Sharon
Zone 6, NJ
Jaime,
ROFL!! Ah no, I checked...Quarryville, PA. Maybe it's just a clearing
house for all the stuff dug out of Linden ;-)
Sharon
Sharon,
At that time, on our list, a man wrote to me to explain what
had transpired. I had bought the soil at Agway and the brand name
(trusting to memory here VBG ) was "Ace". He was familiar with
with the brand and explained what was in the soil.
In a recent post, Kay mentioned that she always bought soil
of a particular blend and guarantee of quality.
I thought they were all pretty much alike, but as usual,
"You get what you pay for" I guess.
I wanted instant gardens. I wanted to dump the dirt, put a
little fence around it, and plant, plant, seed, seed. It
worked too. I didn't pay much for the soil - I'd wait for the
sales and get 40 Lbs. for $!. heh, heh.
Agway had the soil in back for a long time before I got it.
I think they wet down the bags to keep them cool.
Other places have a big turnover and the bags go faster.
Some seniors in our area want to grow things and so
they buy the bags and plant right in them. Sort of like
inexpensive "Grow Bags" (but less sturdy, I think.) If you
have some soil, Miracle Grow, some seeds and some water,
you can do it! Last season when the bags were on sale,
I had them delivered. :-))) I've used the soil here
and there and have only one left out of 25.
June Zone 6
Happy Memorial Day to all.
