Best soil mixes

[Kitchen Gardener]

Having spent the winter redesigning the garden and building raised beds, we are now at the prettying up stage. We would like to move some of our pot bound shrubs and plants into some really nice matching pots. Looked today at the garden centre at some blue pottery tubs (expensive but hopefully worth it), the labels said guaranteed ten years, presumably against frost damage. I want to do this job properly and so want to use the best soil mix I can. I remember reading that the usual multi purpose stuff is ok but not perfect and I have found in the past that this does dry out quickly. Would welcome advise!

[Cadalot]

Get some blocks of CoCo or Coir from the Pound shop it's comes in a block about 225 x 225mm x 25mm thick add 3 litres of water and it expands to 10 litres of lovely stuff that will retain moisture within the compost.

They change the packaging or supplier each year this year it looks like this



See http://cadalot-allotment.blogspot.co...ir-blocks.html

I mix about 40% Coir to 60% Compost for my tomatoes.

[Kitchen Gardener]

Thank you, going into town today so will look.

[BUFFS]

i use john innes No 3 compost unless it is for limehaters, but I fold a load of newspapers and put a 2ins solid layer of this in the bottom of the pot, you would be amazed how much water this retains and you can do it for any tatties being grown in pots as it will mean they don't dry out quickly, the first time you water the pot you have to drench it with about double the amount you would think, don't skimp on the amount as the excess will just drain off..

[Jungle Jane]

Do any of the plants need ericaceous compost? Vermiculite retains water within compost or there's water retaining crystals. I find coco coir dries out faster than compost but good for sowing peas for that reason.

[bario1]

I would just mix your compost 50/50 with garden soil. Maybe add some sharp sand as well.

[rary]

I would go with soil mixed in as well, or if not able to do that try putting some sponge in the bottom layer of your pots