My current mix is a heavier cheaper potting mix and cut it with maybe 30% peat and 50% composted manure. Maybe I should say that I cut compost with peat and the cheap stuff. I use this mix for my pots. This is just an estimate because I keep adding peat until I get the desired consistancy. It wets down evenly.
For seed starting I use a premixed potting mix...Baccto, but you can mix something up yourself.

My FIL told me that if you add a bit of dishsoap to your watering can it will soak those high peat mixes better. I tried it..did ok. If you can water that way that mix be a temporary fix.

Lordy I hate that! I'm so sorry - that stuff is really worthless for my purposes. Have you tried promix?

I'm a Miracle Gro girl - the price seems to be worth it to avoid the hassles and disappointments. I tried Butterfield farms this winter and ended up with black cement.

I walked out yesterday morning and saw that one of the hanging baskets (still sitting on the walkway) had two inches of water sitting on top the soil.

Grrrr. Going to buy some Miracle gRow potting soil and repoteveryone.

Grrrr.

Your soil sounds awful. All that work..and you end up with lousey soil - that stinks!!! I've had good luck with Hyponex potting soil that I got at Sears in 40 pound bags. It's compost, perlite and spagnum moss.

Good luck....Beverly

I like to use a peat moss mix. Some places advertise it as a soiless mixture. I did hear somewhere about the dishsoap. something about making water wetter....

For my $ i like to buy the ready made professional stuff.