I'm not sure how much help this will be, but I use a 2 gallon bucket, and I only make small batches at a time. That's all I really need... I only pot up or re-pot a few plants at a time, and the largest pot I use is about a 12" clay pot, and the smallest is a 2".

If I were to mix larger batches, I'd most likely use my wheelbarrow or a large plastic container, like the ones with rope handles on each side, sold at most WalMarts or Meijer's stores.

Since I only mix small batches, I normally just eyeball the amounts of ingredients... I don't think the measurements of bark, perlite, turface, or granite chips needs to be perfect... I'd be more worried about mixing in the right amount of CRF or gypsum or lime.

I sometimes mix it by hand... and sometimes I use a large mixing spoon or trowel. For a larger batch in a larger container, I'd use my little estate shovel.

I'd look for a large container that was wider than it was tall, which would make mixing easier. A plastic baby pool would work... or a wastebasket... or a tub of some type. I suppose it all depends on how much medium you'll be mixing at one time.

I'm not sure how much help I've been... but I hope it gave you some ideas as to mixing containers...

I just use a wheel barrow and hand mix. Al has mentioned he sometimes uses a tarp and rolls the stuff back and forth until mixed. I think the technique used is going to depend on the amount being made at a time.

.... wheel barrow or 5 gallon bucket for small batches & an 8x10 tarp for batches up to 5 cu ft. 2 people can mix a 5 cu ft batch in under 2 minutes using the tarp (once the material is on the tarp).

Al

I mix in small batches usually, so I just fill my chosen container with the ingredients (to measure), and then dump them into a large tray to mix together. Something like this:
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For larger batches, I use the bed of a wheelbarrow:
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If I'm hearing you correctly, you're having trouble getting them evenly mixed. The following may not apply to you, but I'll relay my experience when I first started.

I found that when my bark was too large (I thought it was OK initially), it was harder to mix as my particle size wasn't as uniform as it should have been.

Since I've gotten all three ingredients much closer to the same size, mixing is much easier.

When mixing small amounts, my favorite is a zip-closure plastic bag. You can shake them easily to mix and then store them in the same.

I also didn't screen one of the items the first time I made it. So, between my too large bark (some was fine - some was just too large) and my too small Turface, I couldn't even keep it mixed in the pot! Lesson learned - always screen and keep particle size very similar.

I agree... particle size will play a large role in how easily the ingredients will mix together, and stay rather evenly mixed.

I will say that when I open my bucket of medium to use more, I will give it a quick re-mix, just to be sure the heavier particles haven't settled to the bottom. But since I don't normally disturb the bucket once I'm done scooping out of it, there's really not that much settling.

My hands work good to mix the ingredients together... I just hate getting granite chips under my fingernails!

I also mix small batches for most of my plants. I use the empty Large Folgers or Maxwell House plastic containers with lids to store mine in. Its great...if you don't fill it all the way to the top you can really shake it and mix it very well...its there when you need it.

I use a wheelbarrow when I need to make a large batch like for my Mango(24") container, and did the tarp trick, except I use an old shower curtain and roll it around and mix it with a shovel!

Thanks for all of these ideas! You guys are the best :-).
Lathyrus o., I think you're right--my bark was too big. Gonna try to chop it up some.

Thanks!!
Anne

Anne, you'll probably laugh at how I did it. I have a large chef's knife I rarely use (since buying a better one), so I took it and put the bark on my cutting board. It worked, but it was hard work! I don't recommend it for large quantities, either. I have a large bag of this, but since I am in a condo, I have no outdoor tools, like a shredder or chipper or anything, to use to make it smaller. I may just have to tediously go through it, removing the larger pieces and them throw them away. Or maybe just buy a bag that IS that right size!