NewbieGrower - for a little perspective, you were lucky to get Raybo, the Earthtainer inventor, developer, and Master to answer your questions! If Ray says it, do it! The issue of concern is that you don't want the roots sopping wet all the time as you can get with some bagged mixes, especially if they have water retaining beads in them. Pine bark fines are just pine bark broken down into pieces that are nearly all smaller than a dime and no thicker than a quarter. They don't compact near as much as some mixes do either, which is good for the self wicking from the bottom aspect of the earthtainer. They can be sold under names other than pine bark fines (not the name I've seen used in N. Texas)
Definitely also hone in quickly to the folks Ray recommended as they are frequent posters with much experience and most importantly, are willing to share their knowledge freely to help you solve issues, a/k/a the greatness of tomatoville! I would be sure to have a regular spraying of anti fungal going now before problems arise. Daconil is a strong contender as a preventative, though it is useless once you have disease. Good luck!
Dewayne
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