Reply from Kris Johnson to #99.6836952 From theryans@XTRA.CO.NZ(Tony & Moira Ryan
Thanks for this info, Moira. It is a reminder to me to keep a record of what I use for potting veggies. How I wish I had recorded what I used last year for the two pots of eggplant that did so well. This year I have been using - not really measuring very well:
1 part finished compost ( wish I had more of this!)
1 part vermiculite
2-3 parts sifted soil from last year's pots where plants grew successfully
1-2 Tbsp "organic fertilizer" that I have, which I assume has kelp in it.
How does that sound? The vermiculite is lighter than sand and helps to fluff up my heavy clay. I may have added some sand to the potting soil last year.
Kris
Kris Johnson - Habitat #22004 - gardening in
Williston, Ohio (near Toledo, close to Lake Erie, zone 6)
KRIS_JOHNSON.parti@ecunet.org
--- Original Note #99.6836952 From theryans@XTRA.CO.NZ(Tony & Moira Ryan
KRIS JOHNSON wrote:
Kris
Sounds pretty good to me. Just a few comments...
I don't use vermiculite myself, as it is rare and expensive here, but I
am sure it is very good with your clay. Instead, my sand fraction is
usually partly composed of ground pumice (which is very common and cheap
here and almost as good as vermiculite at holding water while also
lightening the soil.)
I am not so sure, though, about using that old potting soil to augment
your compost, If plants grew well in it last year, it may be getting a
bit tired. If possible I should instead take some fresh live soil from
a vegetable or flower bed and put your old pot soil in its place for
the little bugs to revitalize.
The organic fertilizer sounds fine.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Reply from Kris Johnson to #99.6939160 From theryans@XTRA.CO.NZ(Tony & Moira Ryan
Hi Moira,
Thanks for your comments.
Here's my logic on using last year's potting soil: It's nice and crumbly, whereas something I would dig out elsewhere is likely to be heavy clay, so lots more work. Also since my perennials grow in the same soil year after year with only the addition of compost, mulch, etc, I figure the same ought to work with the potting soil - the compost, kelp, organic fertilizer, etc should replenish what has been taken out of the soil. I'm not sure, but I'm presuming that the vermiculite would still be around. As I correct that it is a mineral, so would not break down like organic matter? I do try to keep my pots mulched with some worm castings and leaves, so as to maintain the life in the soil.
Kris
--- Original Note #99.6939160 From theryans@XTRA.CO.NZ(Tony & Moira Ryan
Kris
Kris Johnson - Habitat #22004 - gardening in
Williston, Ohio (near Toledo, close to Lake Erie, zone 6)
KRIS_JOHNSON.parti@ecunet.org
KRIS JOHNSON wrote:
Kris
When I suggested you should exchange the soil, I was thinking in terms
of my ancient raised vege beds, where the soil is almost like potting
soil anyway, but in this case, if your old potting soil is still nice
and crumbly, it is certainly a good idea to re-use it. Any soil with a
good texture is unlikely to have much wrong with it as it only has that
good feel because it still contains adequate organic matter.
Sometimes when soil has been in containers for a year the constant
watering has washed a lot of the "goodness" out and it begins to
resemble a sort of sub-standard concrete.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
