What's wrong with regular old potting mix, dumped into a pot, and plant in that? Works for me.

Karen

Hi Karen,

I have numerous HUGE pots.

I am considering using regular potting soil, but I will need to put some sort of filler in at least ½ of the pot. A quality soil is just going to be to expensive.

Plus, I've discovered that my EE and Caladiums really love the peat moss, plus it takes less water.

SG

Generally, potting MIX, not soil, is recommended for containers. Most potting mixes are made of peat, with a little perlite and vermiculite, maybe a wetting agent. Some might contain fine pines bark. They contain no soil. Just check the label to see what you're getting. But if it's a peat base that you want, there are quite a lot to pick from.

If the pots are huge, and you don't need that much depth for roots, empty plastic bottles work well as fillers. I've used 20 oz. and 16 oz. water bottles and pop bottles.

Karen

Following the advice of Bob Villa is kind of like following the advice of Jerry Baker, not something you really want to do. Straight peat moss has no nutrients so planting anything in just peat moss will result in that plants slow death. Peat based potting soils most often have other things added, nutrients, that at least do give plants somewhat of a chance to grow. The large bales, the 3.8 cubic foot bales, are comporessed and are not meant to be planted in, they need to be broken apart, loosened up, and mixed with something to make a potting soil.

What is your main goal here? Save money on potting mix? Use peat because the particular plants like acid soil? or keep the large pots light so they can be moved?

You can build lasagna beds in containers. You can do it with or without peat and you like. Personally, I'm not that huge a fan of peat anymore. I've mixed compost, grass clippings, and aged manure together and put it in containers before and done fine. I've also used the free compost from the county to fill containers and done fine. I've decided not to buy dirt substitutes anymore. I actually buy very little in the way of soil amendments anymore and what I do buy is usually very cheap (like 4 yards of mushroom compost for $5.)

I like the idea of using water and drink bottles to take up space in the bottom of over large containers. That would keep things light.

If you are going to spend money on "potting soil" or potting mix. Go ahead and buy the good stuff as it will be worth it for the season.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Compost

An interesting post for anyone planting in huge containers.. .

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Growing