Hi Sherry,
Great Web site! I was wondering what your favorite soil mix is for greenhouse growing.
Thanks. --- Scott
Hello, Scott! Thank you for visiting my website. I'm glad you like it. I am still working on a "favorite soil mix." So far, this is what I like to use:
As a starting point, I begin with a good commercial mix (I think Whitney Farms is the one I've used lately). To that I add about an equal amount of my own compost (which is all vegetable--no manure). To lighten up the mix I add perlite and vermiculite--amount varies, depending on the season and how much of those ingredients are in the commercial mix.
For summer growing, I make the mix heavier, so that it will hold more water during the warm season. For winter growing, I blend a lighter mix, so that roots won't be sitting and rotting in cold water. Plants need much less water when it is colder.
To make the soil more nutritious: If I have some worm compost ready, I add some of that. I also add small amounts of blood meal (for slow release of nitrogen), rock phosphate (for phosphorous), and kelp meal (for potassium and micronutrients).