Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post - Is There A Difinitive Mix for Self-Watering Buckets?

nolabelle · August 31, 2013

I am about to embark on a new gardening journey with the SWC, and I've read mixed suggestions about the potting mix. This is what I am thinking:

Equal parts of sphagnum, perlite and compost. OR

70% sphagnum and 30% perlite/vermiculite and NO compost.

Also, with sphagnum, there is the need for dolomite lime. And what about epsom salt? I be confused.

I have all of the above and will be manufacturing a couple of self watering bucket systems this weekend. I've had issues before with soil mixes in containers. Does anyone have a solution that might work for a total newbie? Please advise. And thank you in advance!

August 31, 2013	#1
nolabelle Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: N.O., LA (Zone 8b) Posts: 136	Is There A Difinitive Mix for Self-Watering Buckets? I am about to embark on a new gardening journey with the SWC, and I've read mixed suggestions about the potting mix. This is what I am thinking: Equal parts of sphagnum, perlite and compost. OR 70% sphagnum and 30% perlite/vermiculite and NO compost. Also, with sphagnum, there is the need for dolomite lime. And what about epsom salt? I be confused. I have all of the above and will be manufacturing a couple of self watering bucket systems this weekend. I've had issues before with soil mixes in containers. Does anyone have a solution that might work for a total newbie? Please advise. And thank you in advance! __________________ I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it!