NOTE: The lime called for is normal, run-of-the-mill garden lime, NOT fast acting lime.

I call it 'soil' because it's not like dirt in the ground. It's a soil less mixture used in container gardening. Although it IS for container gardening my question is about the soil mix itself not advice on container gardening.

Below is the soil less mix I use; it's a big batch and it yields about 30 gallons per batch. I find that it dries out very quickly. I am aware that part of the problem is that it's because it's in a container and any soil will dry out faster in a container, it just goes with the territory of container gardening.

However I also know it's just in the nature of the soil mixture itself (in regards to the 'recipe' posted below). It's been designed to absorb moisture so that the plants don't get wet feet, and/or so you don't over water.

This is more of a hindrance then a help in the summer, and the problem is compounded with container gardening.

I was wondering if I should replace part of the ingredients

with something that will keep it wet longer so it won't dry out so fast. I don't want it so wet the plants will be water logged.

However I also don't want to be bone dry that I'm having to water at the drop of a hat, which is currently the problem.

2-3 cu ft pine bark fines

5 gallons peat

5 gallons perlite

2 cups dolomitic (garden) lime (or gypsum in some cases)

2 cups CRF (if preferred)

1/2 cup micro-nutrient powder (or other source of the minors - provided in some fertilizers)