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Mission Viejo, CA

Walking through a gardening store today and looking at amendments. In the past I've used Ocean Forest by FoxFarms ($17.99/ 1.5 cu foot bag). I was looking at an EB Stone product today called Recipe 420 Potting Soil at $15.99/ bag.

Looking at the ingredients, it seems like making your own is a way better plan. I have almost everything that's listed in their recipe. Now I don't know the quantities, but here's my guess: There isn't much of any one of those premium ingredients. I think we are being ripped off. Not that it isn't a good product....just that there's a much more affordable alternative.

5/26/2017 4:11:37 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

That stuff is probably great for people who grow stuff in planters on the patio. For the large quantities we use, we have to find cheaper stuff in bulk. I got a truckload of great compost today for just over $6.

5/26/2017 7:45:42 PM

Aurora

Hey, you should check out my "planters"!! I also used mix in my "coffin" sized planters. Biddy's brew contained aged manure, lots of over wintered soupy pumpkins, squash and kitchen scraps, b&w newspaper and of course, Ron's "Super Starter" packs!! Also, I helped myself to a few loads of soil from my garden plots with the "violation" sign posted for my son's "shade cloth, awning, tarp or whatever it should be called tomorrow!! Sorry Iowegian, I am still shaking my head!!!

5/26/2017 10:29:02 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Hey I am unsure on the price per bag however I know green gro just came out with a potting mix.... green gro pride lands check it he is in your state ...

5/26/2017 10:53:51 PM

Seattle, WA

Kevin, I was just posting about this on another site. Whenever you see "compost forest products, forest humus, composted bark fines, etc..." it's all code for sawdust or byproducts of the lumber industry that are essentially free to these mixing companies. It's a cheap filler and has little to no real benefit to your plant.

If I was making a container mix, I would just go with 1/3 peat, 1/3 aeration (perlite, pumice, lava rock, etc..), and 1/3 compost. That's the simplest. If you wanted to get more exact, I find that 50% peat, 35% aeration, and 15% compost works even better.

5/29/2017 11:59:36 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I like pro mix and have been blending my seed starter for years due to not finding what works for me.. so I actually mix promix hp 10 gal ...pro mix cocoa hp 3 gallons.. wiggle worm castings 3 gallons .. that's my exact mix but shh

5/30/2017 2:15:14 AM