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soil "Potting Up" Soil Recommendations

If you can find a potting soil that doesn't have fertilizer in it, you're probably a lot better off. Most of the ones that come with fertilizer are high nitrogen, and that's not good for peppers. A lot of it depends on what's available near you. The ones that Devil Duck, imaguitargod, and Potawie like are not available here in South Carolina.

Most of the time I get the cheap stuff and amend it with some coir, perilite, and compost. Sometimes I go to a nursery and buy more expensive potting soil because the commercial stuff is lighter for hanging baskets and such.
 
peppers do fine in peat, they just do better in coir... i don't like using peat pots but that's different from the soil. whatever mix you want to make with coir you can basically use it just like you would peat. if you can't find potting soils with coir or coir to mix your own then i wouldn't worry about using a potting soil that has peat in it.
 
Since I'm only a newbee, this is just what seems to be working for me. I started and potted up using Pro-Mix BX. It is a soilless mix that seems to be doing great for both my peppers and tomatoes.

Paul
 
Poisonette said:
What soils are good once they're established?

Thanks in advance.

I am at the same juncture right now Poisonette. I am getting ready to buy about 10 yards of soil for my "cement farm", the new beds I made and 200 5 gallon containers. I found a place just down the road from my house that is selling the following...

"Premium Soil Mix ($17.50/yard)
...one of the finest soil mixes available. This soil is carefully blended to produce optimum plant growth. Our #1 selling premium soil mix consists of a screened blend of compost (60%) and the purest cushion sand available (40%) to add stability to the blend. This blend is best used in establishing new gardens, flowerbeds and leveling lawns. Premium Soil Mix is a good substitute for topsoil and unlike most topsoils, it is 100% free of weed seeds. Our mixes are consistent year in and year out - you always know what you're going to get when you order (supplier name withheld) Soils. Although the soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients, it remains necessary to maintain proper soil fertility through a regular fertilizing program."

To me, 17.50 a yard isn't bad but another friend said this mix would be "too hot" for the plants and it would need to be thinned further.

no hijack intent here
 
Take a few pots and try this: 40% coco, 40% perlite, 20% humus.
HAVEN'T tried it yet, but seem to be really good mix.
 
teh purple penguins said:
i'm using Fox Farm i really like it, very loose, nice stuff.. it's kinda hard to find but they have a locator on their website.



That would be another good potting soil I can't get around here.
 
AJ - That doesn't sound too bad. Mix contents or price. There's a few reliable places here that sell stuff like that. I may have to check that out for the back yard garden.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll have to look & see what's around & read the labels.
 
Poisonette said:
AJ - That doesn't sound too bad. Mix contents or price. There's a few reliable places here that sell stuff like that. I may have to check that out for the back yard garden.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll have to look & see what's around & read the labels.

I went and looked at the soil today, grabbed a handfull and squeezed it tightly...when i opened my hand, it was "compressed" but when I gently shook my hand, it fell apart...I have found the soil I am going to use....next weekend will be a killer on my back...am off next Friday and will go get 5 yds and prep the beds...I like this 60% compost and 40% sand for the consistency.
 
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