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| I am looking for a potting soil recipe for shrubs and trees. Does anyone have any suggestions? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Brian_Zn_5_Ks N.E. Kansas (My Page) on Tue, May 3, 05 at 18:24
| Commercial growers rely heavily on bark mixes, for drainage - the most important consideration - and weight. I shift quite a bit of my nursery stock, and have good results with a 50:50 mix of Promix potting soil and bark. The commercial products are weed-free, and drainage is assured. Brian |
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- Posted by flowerchild2 z5 NH (My Page) on Wed, May 4, 05 at 16:46
| Brian, Does the Promix already contain the bark or is this something that you mix yourself? I am looking at making my own. I thought it would be cheaper than purchasing the bags like I have done in the past for perennials. |
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- Posted by Brian_Zn_5_Ks N.E. Kansas (My Page) on Wed, May 4, 05 at 23:23
| Promix is just a brand of good quality commercial grade potting mix. I grab bags of pine bark mulch from our bulk goods. No, this is not a cheap solution. But it is consistent, light weight, weed free, and excellent drainage. Brian |
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- Posted by perennialprincess z4 MN (My Page) on Thu, May 5, 05 at 12:39
| here is a simple tree and shrub mix from Dr Bert Swanson, retired professor of horticulture (specialization in nursery management) at the University of Minnesota: 5 parts composted wood chips (wood chips which have been composted for a year with fertilizer, in his case, turkey manure, added to the chips) 2 parts peat moss that is a very simple mix. a mix used here at the nursery I work at is 5 parts peat a lighter version of the above mix (for plants that need more well drained) 5 parts bark I agree with Brian - Promix is expensive, but it is really good. The fact that it is weed seed free is important. good luck to you. PP |
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- Posted by flowerchild2 z5 NH (My Page) on Sat, May 7, 05 at 9:56
| Thanks. This gives me something to work from. I know what you mean about the "weed free". I purchase organic potting soil by the truckload for my perennials and it is like black gold, however, the weed seeds love it to. |
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- Posted by AgastacheMan z9 CA (My Page) on Fri, May 13, 05 at 23:34
| 2/3 coarse fir bark, 1 part peat moss, 1 part coarse perlite, 1 part micro-nutrient...Works for me, and been going strong for 15 years. |
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