What should I use to fill my planter?

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Posted by gelatodave Northern New Jersey (My Page) on

Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 12:25

I am building another planter this year for my garden, the dimensions are 6' x 4' x 2'. If my math is correct the volume of the box is 48 cubic feet, which is roughly 360 gallons. I am trying to decide what medium I should use to fill the box ie. top soil, compost, manure, peat moss, Mel's mix, etc. Last year I used top soil and manure and got pretty good results (see photo), but I'm curious if a different medium would yield better results. My goal this year is to fill the new planter with something that is good, but isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. Thanks

*The attached photo is my tomato plants from last year.

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RE: What should I use to fill my planter?

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Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 16:08

Your best source of info is going to be the Container Gardening forum here. Check out the many "mix" discussions there as well as the feeding and watering tips. Container gardening is a very different world from in-ground gardening.

We do get some container mix questions here though and a couple of the recent ones are just a bit further down the front page and on page 2. The search will pull up the others.

Normally the use of any "soil" is not recommended for a container, any container, even a raised bed. It compacts and drains poorly. Soil-less mixes only are recommended (and there are many of them available) since they don't compact like dirt does and they drain better. Drainage is vital with a container.

You can also mix your own and the 5-1-1 mix discussed in great detail on the Container forum gets rave reviews.

But ultimately the choice is yours.

Dave

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