Pot mix

[Spunky]

Morning all, I've been having a look around the internet and it seems like some people make up there own mix to use in pots
I predominately grow in pots and for the last three years all I've used is shop bought compost with decent results for me I've had crops I'm not sure if they could be better but I always seem to get something at the end lol
This is where I'm getting a bit confused now I'm not sure if I should be making a potting mix which as far as I know is 2 parts peat moss, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite, 1/2 part sand, then depending on the lime adding Epsom salts and lime as a buffer for the peat
I think it's to gain a lighter mix that drains well yet still retains moisture.
So far it sounds simple enough but I'm worried I'm going to add too much lime and will the lime work fast enough as I would be making the mixes up as I'm ready to pot on the seedlings plus fertiliser would be awkward I'd have to hope initially there's enough in the compost as I've read you can't add fertiliser and lime at the same time as they counteract each other, I've got plenty of calcified seaweed but again I think this takes even longer to break down than lime and I just won't have the time to get pots ready now for the growing season.........
I'm starting to think ill just stick to compost lol what do you think?

[Bill HH]

If you are happy with your results why mess about. However why not change a few pots with an experimental mixture and see how it goes. When it comes to adding fertilisers, lime etc i have a tendancy to always overdo it which is usualy counterproductive. Also remember you can add things to pots and containers after they are planted, Tomorite, or the various concoctions people swear by.
If you are buying a MPC that works and you trust (Because there is some terrible rubbish about) then keep on using it. Do you compost all your waste peelings and garden waste? If you dont your losing a valuable resource. A PH meter is a handy tool and quite cheap, worth considering.

[rustylady]

You can re-use last year's compost if you add a general purpose fertiliser to it.

[Spunky]

Thanks rusty/bill I think I'm going to stick with compost this year, i might have a go next year and make time in the autumn to lime everything etc, I do keep the old compost rusty, last year was funny I pulled all my old veg and put the pots in groups so I could rotate them, then ended up completely forgetting what I'd had in them so it was a bit Russian roulette growing this year lol, I've bought loads of plant labels so it shouldn't happen again
Regards the lime is it true fertilisers turn the soil slightly acidic? I don't know whether it would be worth adding some calcified seaweed to the pots every year just to act as a bit of a buffer?

[rustylady]

Don't complicate things Spunky. The more stuff you add the more chance you have of totally messing it up.

Get yourself a PH meter if you're worried.

[Spunky]

I'm looking at them rusty apparently none of them work lol

[Spunky]

Just ordered some litmus paper will have a play with that cheers

[Penellype]

I'm looking at them rusty apparently none of them work lol

Ages ago I got a pH meter and very carefully followed the instructions. The first bit of soil I tested showed a pH of 1 which would have been concentrated acid strong enough to severely burn my hands! Other parts of the garden read between 2 and 6 (nearly neutral). I have no faith in the things at all after that experience.

[BUFFS]

Ages ago I got a pH meter and very carefully followed the instructions. The first bit of soil I tested showed a pH of 1 which would have been concentrated acid strong enough to severely burn my hands! Other parts of the garden read between 2 and 6 (nearly neutral). I have no faith in the things at all after that experience.

is that where the expression "getting your fingers burnt" comes from?.....