Readily available potting soil

[CantBe2High]

I know where I can get the "good stuff" at a hydro store, but for cost and stealth, what cheap, easily available potting soils have people had good success with? So many people ridicule things like Miracle Grow, and I know some people are really focussed on yield. I just want a cheap, easy, stealth yield for me. I've found a few things by searching other threads. But I want actual experiences, not a bunch of opinions spouting off commonly held beliefs!

 

[greenisgold]

Home depot, red bag of promix and perlite.

 

[geminibud]

fuck that shit........I tried that,AND on another run some MG organic with perlite.
Fungus gnats/white flies both times,maybe it was grower error but every other time no problems with the pricey stuff/sucks I know cuz' thats why I tried to change over as well.I get sick of dropping 2-300$ for soil each time

good luck and peace though.

 

[CarharttKidd]

Getting rid of fungus gnats really isn't that hard. Assuming your watering is correct, one application of gnatrol should get rid of them.

I use a blend based off of EB Stone potting soil, worm gold plus, and perlite. Depending on the thype of grow, chicken manure, peat moss, and garden compost may be added. You should be able to get some good potting soil from your local independent nursurey.

 

[icon]

you can get organic soil that contains bat guano,earth worm casting,coco coir etc...
at an OSH home & garden supply store if you have one around for like $6 for a 20 lbs bag its called SUNSOIL you dont have to add anything to the soil its ready straight out of the bag. there is a mix for flowers & a mix for vegatables.i use to buy the mix for vegatables.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

Like someone mentioned before, home depot should have some good inexpensive soil mixes. Promix, majestic, sunshine, metro, fafard mixes might be found there.
These will consist of peatmoss, perlite, vermiculite, and maybe pinebark. No soil. They also will not have long term ferts that say "last 3 months" or something. They will be already limed for you. One thing you might add is 3/4 teaspoon powdered or pulverized gypsum per gallon of mix (4 liters). This can provide sulfur which is actually needed by plants in large amounts. Fafard already has gypsum added but the other mixes found probably wont.

 

[FunkBomb]

No Pro-mix at my HD/Lowes. I've had great luck with Sta-Green's Planting Mix/Nursery Mix. The only downsides to the mix is the fertilizer balls and wetting agent. Other than that it's just composted forest bark, perilite, and dolomite lime. 2 cu. ft. bag for $10. Add more perilite and you're ready to go.

-Funk

 

[segue]

Miracle-Gro must have a contract monopoly on EVERY mainstream store in my area... I have a hard time finding any non-MG product at any store. There are always a few oddball off-brands, but no Promix or anything else I've seen people use on this forum. Am I the only one? My local Home Depot and Lowe's don't even stock non-fertilized Perlite! It's really annoying!

On the other side of the coin, I really like Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil for non-MJ gardening. We grow/breed African Violets for fun, and they LOVE the stuff. It really is a good all-around soil. For small-pot applications like violets, it's definitely worth $20 a bag.

 

[MoleMcHenry]

Black gold organic mixes. They have at least two listed OMRI organic, just look on the bag. If you can't find those, try Supersoil, also OMRI. My friend is growing some Paradise Seeds White Berry clones out I gave to him and they're doing great with just Supersoil, PHd water and minimal feedings.

 

[Guest]

Miracle-Gro must have a contract monopoly on EVERY mainstream store in my area... I have a hard time finding any non-MG product at any store. There are always a few oddball off-brands, but no Promix or anything else I've seen people use on this forum. Am I the only one? My local Home Depot and Lowe's don't even stock non-fertilized Perlite! It's really annoying!

On the other side of the coin, I really like Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil for non-MJ gardening. We grow/breed African Violets for fun, and they LOVE the stuff. It really is a good all-around soil. For small-pot applications like violets, it's definitely worth $20 a bag.

Have you been to local nurseries? I seriously doubt they use Miracle Grow although they may sell it.

I live in a out of the way sparcely populated area and I have no trouble finding NON MG potting soils.

pedro

 

[grateful3300]

Make some compost. It's just stuff you would throw out anyways and you can't buy anything better.

 

[Despie]

if u can get your hands on pro mix BX i highly recommend it dude.....stay safe!

 

[cjk]

3 or 4 scoops of peat based organic mix (this will be your base)
1 big scoop of organic compost (leaf mold, mushroom, cotton burrs, etc.)
1/2 scoop of sheep manure
1 or 2 tablespoons of guano
1 or 2 scoops of perlite

mix all together and repeat until the pot is full. this should all be found at a local nursery.

 

[geminibud]

Do they sell sheep manure anywhere close I'd know?

 

[Guest]

Why don't you just follow the recipe BurnOne has published over on the Organic forum...LC's soil recipes. You can use ANY decent potting soil.

Sheep manure and most ALL fresh manures need to be composted before use. You got time for that?

Quit making this hard for yourself.

pedro

 

[cjk]

sheep manure can even be found at the depot. if not sheep, any other compost will work. most bagged manure is already composted so no, you don't have to compost it.