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Question:

Potting Soil Mix for Container Gardening?

Because I am running put of space to grow vegetables in the vegetable patch, I am thinking of growing more in broccoli boxes. I am also considering making a soil medium of half cheap potting soil and half garden soil (clay). Then I will add a hand-full of manure and bloodamp;bone. Will this be good for planting vegetables?Or do I need so expensive mixture e.g. vermiculite, coir, mushroom compost, vermicast, etc.?

Answer:

No, you do not need an expensive mixture, and depending upon how thick your clay soil is, you might want to amend with something that will allow the soil to drain well while reducing compaction. Perlite would be a good option. You will, however, need to feed regularly, as any plants in containers will use up the available nutrients quickly. Since you'll probably be planting a variety of veggies, I would opt for an all-purpose vegetable food, like Neptune's Harvest or High-Yield. Enjoy your container garden. That's how I grow almost all of mine now!
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You can get bags of inexpensive top soil for your containers. However, some potting mixes are much lighter than soil and therefore much easier to move. But if you don't move them around there is no advantage.
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2 advantages of manufactured composts are their sterility and lightness,putting garden soil in the mix ,especially clay not loam, increases the weight,affects the drainage and you could be introducing pests and diseases. Read up on the recipes for Levingtons /John Innes composts if you want to make the best home made.

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