Formula for best soil in containers?
 

I'm looking for the tried and true, "go to" growing media this year. No effort or expense will be spared. Will you share what works best for you? Just growing basic tomato varieties in 15 gal containers in Zone 7b. Thanks in advance.

I have been using ProMix BX with great success. It is a little pricey, but the ease of tearing into the bag and filling up the containers is worth it to me. I also use it as my seed starting medium. YMMV :)

You might enjoy this thread.

Worth
[url]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDIQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomatoville.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D27989&ei=YyofU_KxCOSC2QXv3YGwDQ&usg=AFQjCNEnfhhp_E1MYxRMrVXWtjD_Xb9BKw[/url]

If I am using a 15 gal container how much lime do I put in, and how much fertilizer do I put in?

If I am using a 15 gal container how much lime do I put in, and how much fertilizer do I put in?

OOPS........double post...sorry about that

[QUOTE=hornstrider;397668]If I am using a 15 gal container how much lime do I put in, and how much fertilizer do I put in?[/QUOTE]


Why do you want to put lime in the soil?
Your PH could be perfect and the addition of lime could run the PH up too high.
Making for light green slow growing plants.
As for the fertilizer question it all depends on the soil and what kind of fertilizer you are using.

If I missed something in earlier posts I apologize.:)

Worth

Worth...thanks for the reply. I am Happy Frog potting mix in the container. I thought if using potting mix I had to add lime or dolomite the the mix. I have grown tomato's in earth boxes before I I always added lime.

[QUOTE=hornstrider;397704]Worth...thanks for the reply. I am Happy Frog potting mix in the container. I thought if using potting mix I had to add lime or dolomite the the mix. I have grown tomato's in earth boxes before I I always added lime.[/QUOTE]

I have grown but few tomatoes in containers so I am no expert.

But if the plants are dark green and growing I dont see any need for lime or anything else that would increase PH.
If the PH gets too high it will prevent the plants from taking up nutrients.
You can always add lime later if need be.
There are a lot of pictures of plants I see here that are not green enough.
from what I am reading on some posts the high PH and or lack of fertilizer may very well be the culprit.

Just my Worthless opinion.:lol:

Worth

This worked well for me (8 gal mix)...

75% peat/coir by volume (6 gal)
10% vermiculite by volume (0.75 gal)
15% perlite by volume (1.25 gal)
¾ cup Dolomite (omit or use a lot less if using coir)
¾ cup organic fertilizer (I used both Kellogg's and Dr. Earth)
½ cup Azomite
½ cup Kelp meal

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Lime is used when using peat as peat itself has a PH of about 4.5. Which is great for blueberries! Not so great for tomatoes. If you use tap water you will slowly increase PH in most cases. My tap water is 7.8. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I'm experimenting still with mixes myself so really have no recommendations at this time.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I don't like using Vermiculite or perlite myself. I avoid them when possible. I use pumice and diatomaceous earth instead. But all these products are decent and work well.[/FONT][/SIZE]

There are a number of threads on the board that indicate the main reason for using Agricultural Lime is to reduce Blossom End Rot. Do a search on Lime and you should find the posts.

[QUOTE=Winemaker;397930]There are a number of threads on the board that indicate the main reason for using Agricultural Lime is to reduce Blossom End Rot. Do a search on Lime and you should find the posts.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDEQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aces.edu%2Fdept%2Fextcomm%2Fspecialty%2Fber.html&ei=b9khU7XxOeru2QWXp4DADA&usg=AFQjCNHP3R-L5EtoVXVjbsIIlgWewOHjfw[/url]


One of the best reads on BER I have ever read.
Bear in mind most soils have enough calcium in it anyway.
Container soils differ in the respect.
One of the main reasons for BER in containers is the constant fluctuation in moisture even if they have enough calcium.;)

Worth

[QUOTE=Worth1;397937][URL]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDEQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aces.edu%2Fdept%2Fextcomm%2Fspecialty%2Fber.html&ei=b9khU7XxOeru2QWXp4DADA&usg=AFQjCNHP3R-L5EtoVXVjbsIIlgWewOHjfw[/URL]


One of the best reads on BER I have ever read.
Bear in mind most soils have enough calcium in it anyway.
Container soils differ in the respect.
One of the main reasons for BER in containers is the constant fluctuation in moisture even if they have enough calcium.;)

Worth[/QUOTE]


You're right! It's not the calcium. If you really want to add calcium use calcium nitrate :) Man the plants go crazy, use a super light dose.
The main reason to use lime is PH control in pots. Well elsewhere too, when you lime a lawn it is for PH. I myself actually have never used lime. I do use ton's of peat too! I monitor PH and will adjust if needed.

Thank you all for the responses. Like I said I have grown tomato's in eb's in the past, and the instructions called for adding lime to potting mix. I am assuming a 15 gal. pot has the same requirements. I plan to grow 2 Rosetal Purple dwarf tomato plants in them. Just looking for some help. I assume the addition of lime is to raise the ph of the potting mix....correct?

[QUOTE=hornstrider;397952]Thank you all for the responses. Like I said I have grown tomato's in eb's in the past, and the instructions called for adding lime to potting mix. I am assuming a 15 gal. pot has the same requirements. I plan to grow 2 Rosetal Purple dwarf tomato plants in them. Just looking for some help. [COLOR=Red] I[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]assume the addition of lime is to raise the ph of the potting mix....correct[/COLOR]?[/QUOTE]

I looked on the Earth Box web site and it said to use it for BER and to water regularly.

The idea would be to know what soil you used, what the PH was and what minerals it had to begin with.
Before any addition of anything but soil.
There are so many variables in compost alone there is no real answer to what the ph is and what the NPK content is.

Example a common Hack Berry tree has leaves that put about the lowest amount of nutrients back in the soil there is.
The reason is it as a weed tree that will grow in asphalt. :lol:

Yes lime would raise the PH.



Worth