I hope your are using super compost rather than supper compost which may contain proteins, a potential problem. But to answer you question, native soil mixed with the compost at a ratio of 60% soil to 40% compost is best. Your 10" deep soaker hose is not going to be effective at suppling water to the young plants. Move the hose up about 6" so it is 4" below the surface, the water will percolate deep into the lower levels of the soil. Also, you should have hoses about 8" from the stem on two side of the plant.

Some do, but personally I don't care for growing in straight compost. Over the years I have had much better production, plant health, greater tolerance to wind, stronger rooting systems, more consistent soil moisture levels, and over-all less work for me using compost as the soil amendment it is intended to be, not as a pure growing medium.

I agree with petzold that your soaker hose in too deep. You'll find it becomes coated, plugged, and non-functioning with time if buried and it is difficult to access water needs and soil moisture with it buried. Shallow is better in this case though I prefer using soaker hose on the surface of the soil and covered with several inches of one of the organic mulches such as compost, straw, or hay to be much better. JMO

Dave

These toms are growing in 100% homemade compost.

John

{{gwi:103474}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Johns Journal