Forgot something...if a bag of potting soil says "feeds continuously for three (or whatever) months"..does that mean it is a slow release fertilizer?

Linda

Honestly I'd toss that soil in your compost pile and get (or make) a good potting mix. Are a lot of roots coming thru the drainage holes of the pots they are currently in? If not I'd try leaving them in the original pots as long as possible, preferably until it's time to put them outside. If they are root bound you obviously don't have a choice but to pot them up. If you are determined to use that soil go ahead and suppliment with a water soluable fertilizer at half strength until they are outside then full strength after that.

karyn1....Heck no...I am never determined to use something. I am pretty flexible! I'm so tired of losing plants! No the seedlings are not root bound and no roots are coming thru the bottom of the pot so I'm gonna take your advice and leave well enough alone for now. Okay I will probably embarrass myself for asking this question but how do you make your own potting soil??

Linda

If you google Homemade potting soil there are tons of recipes..

Linda,

If that you grow many different plants (for example: cacti, tropicals, houseplants, etc.) that require different types of potting soil it is advisable to make your own potting mix. Like Chena said you can find the information easy. Plus by making your own potting mixes it is much cheaper in the long run.

If you are going to be doing a lot of potting up it is best to buy the big bales of the following products, which are the basic components to potting mixes. They are; Spagnum Peat Moss (not the long fiber moss), Perlite and Vermiculite.