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fadfodeh

Using compost for container vegetable garden

12 years ago

Hello
We are planning to start an initiative to promote organic gardening in the society, where a startup kit is provided to the interested families which includes: some basic containers, seedlings, and growing media. At the same time, we are teaching them how to prepare their own compost for future gardening activities. We need to make this initiative as simple as possible for them to encourage them to work further in this direction.

The containers are bags of 40 liters each for each plant (tomato, green pepper, eggplant).
I would like to use compost as the soil in the container, but I am not sure which compost should I use. What are the specs/ingredients (NPK) that I should obtain for this purpose?
P.S. I am not planning to use any amendments during the growing time.

I live in a Mediterranean country, hardiness zone 7 or 8.
In summer, temperature goes up to 110 max, and humidity is about 70'% on average.

Thank you for your help

Comments (5)

  • 12 years ago

    Compost is compost - decomposed plant and animal matter - so it really doesn't matter what sort of compost you use.

    You should also be aware that compost is not highly regarded for container growing, at least to the exclusion of a more mineral-based soil - the particle size is too uniform and it compresses too easily, compromising drainage and aeration. I would look to at least a 50% mineral-based soil and/or coarse grit or perlite and no more than 50% compost. And I would use the soil for no longer than a single growing season - 4-6 months max.

    And it is important to understand that anything grown in a container will need supplemental fertilization. There is simply not enough nutrient content in container soil to support unassisted growth.

  • 12 years ago

    You might look into the container gardening forum. They have a certain mix that works best in containers.
    Great idea! Good luck! Nancy

  • 12 years ago

    If one were to compare compost with the common soilless mixes used and made from peat moss, ground bark fines, and/or coir one would find that compost is often as coarse, if not coarser, then those ingredients, unless the compost was screened through a very fine mesh screen. Adding perlite or vermiculite can help with drainage issues, if any.
    The nutrients in compost are not very readily available, soluble, so they do not show on any of the current tests iin any real numbers, but many of us that have used only compost/organic matter as our source of nutrients have found the plants we grow are usually healthier then the plants growing in "conventional" gardens and have fewer problems with insect pests and plant diseases.
    The best way to find good compost is to grow plants in some and look closely at them to see how they do.

  • 12 years ago

    Fadfodeh -
    Welcome and glad you found us!! Where are you? I am also in a Mediterranean climate, and there are a surprising amount of organizations, groups, people, etc, who are doing what you so rightly see as a basic need in educating local communities about compost, small spaces and growing their food. Please keep coming back !

  • 12 years ago

    Soil made from compost plus other amendments will usually be better, for the reasons that others have stated. Your kit might be good to also add a bit of peat moss or coconut coir (or something else similar from your region), and perlite or vermiculite.

    As for teaching someone to get used to composting, it's a good way to start by showing them what they can grow from it, but keep in mind that they will have to do this for one to several months, before they see the results of their composting efforts that they started.