Witchy, I don't want you to think for one second that I am putting you off or being unfriendly but I think your first step, right off the bat, should be to scroll down and read some of the old threads with topics that sound like they might answer your questions.

Your questions are good ones, but they have been discussed at great length in earlier threads...by a host of good people with all kinds of different experiences. Why not take advantage of all of the information and THEN come back to us if you still need help or coaching?

First I think one needs to understand how soil mixes work in a container before they choose one.

I could recommend one that takes no work at all to use, such as Farfard nursery mix and then I could recommend you make your own. But what is the point of using a mix that works for us if you don't first understand how to keep roots healthy and learn about a mix that might work for you?

I am going to hook you up with a link and you will learn a lot of basics.

As Rhizo said, there is many threads and past writings from many great people here that have answered your questions many times over.

Have fun and welcome:-)

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Learn about containers soils and water movement