soil Best cheap soil(or mixture) from retail stores for containers?

[solid7]

You don't need screen.  Trust me.
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If you're worried about overwatering, let the rain take care of it once, and then move...  Don't water again until after the rain stops, and the plant really needs it.  I'm not a big fan of the "let it get dry and droop" method, but that's just me. 
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Mulching will alleviate part of your water concerns.  I've had some years where I didn't water but maybe once or twice. 

 

[mattbhm]

You don't need screen.  Trust me.
.
If you're worried about overwatering, let the rain take care of it once, and then move...  Don't water again until after the rain stops, and the plant really needs it.  I'm not a big fan of the "let it get dry and droop" method, but that's just me. 
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Mulching will alleviate part of your water concerns.  I've had some years where I didn't water but maybe once or twice. 

 

I don't need screen. The dirt doesn't come out.
 
I'll wait and see about watering. I did mess up and need an opinion though.. I didn't add any water when mixing.
 
Not sure what to do. Pull like half out of the bucket and wet it, then the other half? Just plant in totally dry and water normally?
 
Thanks so much man. Really, I probably wouldn't be doing this if you didn't join in. I definitely wouldn't have mixed my own completely.

 

[AndyW]

 
I don't need screen. The dirt doesn't come out.
 
I'll wait and see about watering. I did mess up and need an opinion though.. I didn't add any water when mixing.
 
Not sure what to do. Pull like half out of the bucket and wet it, then the other half? Just plant in totally dry and water normally?
 
Thanks so much man. Really, I probably wouldn't be doing this if you didn't join in. I definitely wouldn't have mixed my own completely.

 
I'd personally take the plant out (if it's in) and mix and wet the media. In my experience, peat refuses to hold water if it hasn't been wetted properly.

 

[solid7]

 
I'd personally take the plant out (if it's in) and mix and wet the media. In my experience, peat refuses to hold water if it hasn't been wetted properly.

 
Well, I'd probably do it, too.  But since he has compost, and if he adds some mulch on top, I know it will come good.  I was just trying to make it easy...
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For the most part, though, you're right, Andy.  

 

[solid7]

Thanks so much man. Really, I probably wouldn't be doing this if you didn't join in. I definitely wouldn't have mixed my own completely.

 
Feels good, don't it?
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How about a nice pic of that beautiful mix?

 

[mattbhm]

 
I'd personally take the plant out (if it's in) and mix and wet the media. In my experience, peat refuses to hold water if it hasn't been wetted properly.

 
 

 
Well, I'd probably do it, too.  But since he has compost, and if he adds some mulch on top, I know it will come good.  I was just trying to make it easy...
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For the most part, though, you're right, Andy.  

 
 
Thanks guys. The plants aren't planted yet. I think I'll do all of this tomorrow. Hopefully it'll have stopped raining. If not, I'm doing it in the house.
 
So dump the dirt out, wet it, place it back, plant.
 
Is there like a set amount of water to add to 5ish gallons of mix? Or a consistency?
 
Here are the buckets..
 
 

 

[AndyW]

 
Well, I'd probably do it, too.  But since he has compost, and if he adds some mulch on top, I know it will come good.  I was just trying to make it easy...
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For the most part, though, you're right, Andy.  

 
Oh yeah, my bad. I didn't even think about the compost. 

 

[solid7]

Just put it out and let it get rained on...  

 

[mattbhm]

I was planning on either doing that or tap water depending on weather tomorrow, but my question is how long. But I think it's going to be pretty obvious how much?

 

[mattbhm]

Just put it out and let it get rained on...  

 

Wetting the peat today, I was reading online last night that it's best to use warm water and a tiny bit of soap? Yes/no?
 
By the way, the rain didn't ever get hard at all(only sprinkles and thunder) and it won't be raining again until 3-4PM today.

 

[solid7]

I'm really bad at giving this watering advice to newbies.  I've been watering for so long, that it's intuitive to me.  I pretty much just water mine, until the container feels like it's the right weight for saturated media.  Now see, that doesn't help you at all.  But it's my method, and it's all I know.  I don't remember how I learned as a newbie...  Sorry.
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My best advice, as before, is just to let it get a good rain soak.  Easiest way.  One whole day in the rain isn't going to hurt, unless it's of Biblical proportions...

 

[mattbhm]

I'm really bad at giving this watering advice to newbies.  I've been watering for so long, that it's intuitive to me.  I pretty much just water mine, until the container feels like it's the right weight for saturated media.  Now see, that doesn't help you at all.  But it's my method, and it's all I know.  I don't remember how I learned as a newbie...  Sorry.
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My best advice, as before, is just to let it get a good rain soak.  Easiest way.  One whole day in the rain isn't going to hurt, unless it's of Biblical proportions...

 

That's all good. I'm figuring it out, all over the place.
 
I wanted to get them planted before the next heavy rain but I'll probably wait due to the plants being too small for a heavy rain right after transplant.
 
I don't know how much rain is going to work in such a tall bucket but it may.
 
Thanks again. I know you're probably getting tired of answering simple questions by now.. Haha..

 

[solid7]

No, man.  I'm not tired of answering simple questions.  Everybody knows different stuff, ya know?  I just want to see people become good/better growers.

 

[mattbhm]

No, man.  I'm not tired of answering simple questions.  Everybody knows different stuff, ya know?  I just want to see people become good/better growers.

 

Thanks.
 
I know you can't really tell over the internet but how does this look?

 

[bongcloud]

 
Thanks.
 
I know you can't really tell over the internet but how does this look?

It looks happy 

 

[solid7]

 
Thanks.
 
I know you can't really tell over the internet but how does this look?

 
Yeah, I can't tell, but the plant can.  Even if it's oversaturated now, get the plant in, and don't water it again, until it's obvious that it needs it.
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Here's some pointers:
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1) just because it's wilting, doesn't mean that it needs water - see point #2
2) take note of how much the bucket weighs, when fully wet
3) per points 1 and 2, water the plant for the first time when it's wilted, but the bucket doesn't feel heavy, anymore
4) you'll get the hang of it, really fast.  Just PAY ATTENTION.

 

[mattbhm]

 
Yeah, I can't tell, but the plant can.  Even if it's oversaturated now, get the plant in, and don't water it again, until it's obvious that it needs it.
.
Here's some pointers:
.
1) just because it's wilting, doesn't mean that it needs water - see point #2
2) take note of how much the bucket weighs, when fully wet
3) per points 1 and 2, water the plant for the first time when it's wilted, but the bucket doesn't feel heavy, anymore
4) you'll get the hang of it, really fast.  Just PAY ATTENTION.

 
Thanks everyone, they are planted!
 
We have severe thunderstorms right now so they're all inside.. Here are some pictures.. I would love some IDs and if anyone knows why a couple aren't looking so hot.. The one that's turning yellow especially.
 
Also, anyone know why our Poblanos are all drooping up top? They're wet, but not too wet. They're planted in the ground obviously. Never been fed though.
 
EDIT: No idea why they're all sideways or why the Poblanos are spread throughout. But you get the idea.

 

[mattbhm]

 
It smells in the jug.  You won't smell it after you apply it.  Pets might, though.  So will outdoor critters.  Not usually a big problem, but be warned.
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I still think the pros far outweigh the cons.

 

I was just looking back through the posts an reread this one. I don't think I can use Fish Emulsion.
 
We have raccoons, opossums and cats. Like every single night you'd be hard pressed to not see one if you look outside. And my peppers will just be sitting outside and smelling like fishies. Even if barely.

 

[solid7]

 
I was just looking back through the posts an reread this one. I don't think I can use Fish Emulsion.
 
We have raccoons, opossums and cats. Like every single night you'd be hard pressed to not see one if you look outside. And my peppers will just be sitting outside and smelling like fishies. Even if barely.

 
They usually just dig in the soil a bit, until they realize there is nothing there.  I've not lost any plants, attributable to fish fertilizer.
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I have possums, racoons, cats, etc, all over around me.  I still use it.  Do as you will..

 

[mattbhm]

 
They usually just dig in the soil a bit, until they realize there is nothing there.  I've not lost any plants, attributable to fish fertilizer.
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I have possums, racoons, cats, etc, all over around me.  I still use it.  Do as you will..

 

If you say so, works for me! I just read warnings.
 
Would you happen to have any idea what the yellowing in pictures 2 and 3 above is? Because another one is starting to yellow too.
 
The 2 leaves pictured fell off over night.