Let's see those '11 gardens! - Page 9

Mr B · 05-24-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodles

Am I in trouble? I am using Miracle Gro garden soil and just noticed a big No Container sign at the back of the package. I replanted my Tomato in one of those Smart Pots using MG garden soil. Should I replant using a different soil? Maybe one of those soilless or potting soil?

Please help.

You should be ok. Just make sure you have a water catch basin below the pot. The garden soil is pretty loose and it will not hold the water very well. I believe it is meant to mix with other soils to break them up a bit. I am using some of the MG Garden soil in pots and it has been fine so far.

wayner123 · 05-24-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodles

Am I in trouble? I am using Miracle Gro garden soil and just noticed a big No Container sign at the back of the package. I replanted my Tomato in one of those Smart Pots using MG garden soil. Should I replant using a different soil? Maybe one of those soilless or potting soil?

Please help.

I may be wrong, but I believe that warning is because MG garden soil has uncomposted cow manure in it. That is what I have found in my experience. It also does not drain well at all.

When growing in containers, it really is a whole different ball game on what type of soils are used. You should do some reading over at the gardenweb container growing section.

Noodles · 05-24-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

I may be wrong, but I believe that warning is because MG garden soil has uncomposted cow manure in it. That is what I have found in my experience. It also does not drain well at all.

When growing in containers, it really is a whole different ball game on what type of soils are used. You should do some reading over at the gardenweb container growing section.

I ended up mixing garden soil with potting mix. Hopefully it is a little better. I don't want to replant them again for fear of shocking the tomatoes. I might do another tomato with all potting mix on another smart pot. Fingers crossed.

Uncomposted cow manure is bad for container? What will happen to the plant?

wayner123 · 05-25-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodles

I ended up mixing garden soil with potting mix. Hopefully it is a little better. I don't want to replant them again for fear of shocking the tomatoes. I might do another tomato with all potting mix on another smart pot. Fingers crossed.

Uncomposted cow manure is bad for container? What will happen to the plant?

The dangers of uncomposted manure in a closed container are, harmful bacteria and as the manure is composting... heat.

Noodles · 05-25-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

The dangers of uncomposted manure in a closed container are, harmful bacteria and as the manure is composting... heat.

I've done some reading and it seems they don't even recommend using Miracle Gro potting mix. They the chemical fertilizer in it is too strong for tomato.

Damn.

05-24-2011, 01:08 PM

Clay keeps the water from draining and it's hard for roots to work through. You don't want your plants sitting in water. As long as the topsoil is more than a foot deep the clay may work to your advantage by allowing you to water less. In sandy soil the water passes right through it and dries too fast. Lots of organic material (compost) fixes everything, sand or clay.

Scothew · 05-24-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Clay keeps the water from draining and it's hard for roots to work through. You don't want your plants sitting in water. As long as the topsoil is more than a foot deep the clay may work to your advantage by allowing you to water less. In sandy soil the water passes right through it and dries too fast. Lots of organic material (compost) fixes everything, sand or clay.

Im not sure how much top soil I really have, i dont think its a foot honestly. Most of it was pulled to the part of the property next to me when it was initially cleared off years ago.

05-24-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

Im not sure how much top soil I really have, i dont think its a foot honestly. Most of it was pulled to the part of the property next to me when it was initially cleared off years ago.

Sounds like what I started with, except our "clay" is a really fine grained sand, like powder, sometimes called "mudstone" here. I finally gave up on it and built boxes. I would go with Jamie's advice, above. That's about how I do it, too.

Mr B · 05-24-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Sounds like what I started with, except our "clay" is a really fine grained sand, like powder, sometimes called "mudstone" here. I finally gave up on it and built boxes. I would go with Jamie's advice, above. That's about how I do it, too.

We have real bad Adobe clay here. about 13 years ago I ended up building a 13' x 4' raised bed also. Anything I cant fit in there goes into pots.

05-25-2011, 02:55 PM

Still cold and cloudy here.

Mr B · 05-25-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Still cold and cloudy here.

Rained up here most of the day too.

05-25-2011, 04:32 PM

Having your garden planted but in suspended animation is a drag. I hope the plants are saving it all up for a growth spurt when the sun comes out and it warms up in a week or two.

Mr B · 05-25-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Having your garden planted but in suspended animation is a drag. I hope the plants are saving it all up for a growth spurt when the sun comes out and it warms up in a week or two.

Ya and on the other hand, I welcome the rain too.

SvilleKid · 05-28-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr B

Ya and on the other hand, I welcome the rain too.

Rain = Good

Wind with the rain = Bad!!

Noodles · 05-27-2011, 07:35 AM

I saw a first glimpse of tomatoes this morning. Tiny little green tomatoes peeking and teasing me.

Scothew · 05-30-2011, 11:05 AM

My garden was thirsty! I got a feeling its gonna be a long hot summer.

HK3- · 05-31-2011, 07:50 AM

Plants are looking like they are growing a little slow this year.... May have to give them a boost with the miracle grow.

Scott- Got the tobacco seeds! Thanks brother!

05-31-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

My garden was thirsty! I got a feeling its gonna be a long hot summer.

Not here, we're forecasted to have a week of rain. Very rare for this area. Plus no warm up in sight for the near future, according to the long term outlook. I turned the irrigation system off for now. /sigh/

Scothew · 05-31-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Not here, we're forecasted to have a week of rain. Very rare for this area. Plus no warm up in sight for the near future, according to the long term outlook. I turned the irrigation system off for now. /sigh/

just looked at my forecast, mid-upper 90's all week, into triple digits next week, with showers not forecasted till tuesday (on the day its supposed to hit 100.) Guess im gonna be watering a good bit in the mornings.

http://local.msn.com/ten-day.aspx?q=...1848&zip=35023

05-31-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

just looked at my forecast, mid-upper 90's all week, into triple digits next week, with showers not forecasted till tuesday (on the day its supposed to hit 100.) Guess im gonna be watering a good bit in the mornings.

http://local.msn.com/ten-day.aspx?q=...1848&zip=35023

I feel like I'm in Canada or something:

http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-...Select=WEATHER

05-24-2011, 01:08 PM	#6
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! Clay keeps the water from draining and it's hard for roots to work through. You don't want your plants sitting in water. As long as the topsoil is more than a foot deep the clay may work to your advantage by allowing you to water less. In sandy soil the water passes right through it and dries too fast. Lots of organic material (compost) fixes everything, sand or clay.

05-25-2011, 02:55 PM	#10
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! Still cold and cloudy here.

05-25-2011, 04:32 PM	#12
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! Having your garden planted but in suspended animation is a drag. I hope the plants are saving it all up for a growth spurt when the sun comes out and it warms up in a week or two.

05-27-2011, 07:35 AM	#15
Noodles Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 412 Trading: (2)	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! I saw a first glimpse of tomatoes this morning. Tiny little green tomatoes peeking and teasing me.

05-30-2011, 11:05 AM	#16
Scothew CA Scott #2658 Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Scott Location: AL Posts: 580 Trading: (5)	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! My garden was thirsty! I got a feeling its gonna be a long hot summer.

05-31-2011, 07:50 AM	#17
HK3- Cashmere Jungle Lord Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Boffa Location: The town so nice they named it twice Posts: 5,035 Trading: (48)	Re: Let's see those '11 gardens! Plants are looking like they are growing a little slow this year.... May have to give them a boost with the miracle grow. Scott- Got the tobacco seeds! Thanks brother!