I like your experiments. My prediction on #1 is that the screen will act as a sort of barrier to the root system. Only tiny feeder roots will be able to penetrate the screen. I think that by putting the screen under a foot of soil, it won't be an issue but if you had only done, say 6 or 8" of topsoil, it might have been. I certainly don't think you will have to worry about your peppers getting uprooted any way once they grab on to the screen below.

I will especially be looking forward to seeing the results of your #2 experiment. Container soils are a lot easier to manipulate and test side by side, but no so much with in ground gardens. Good luck.

Thanks esox how have you been man? btw this is Morugaman from like 2 years ago haha.

Ahhh, OK. You didn't sound like a rookie pepper grower. Keep up the thread with pictures and progress reports. I am looking forward to seeing the results.

Esox07- So its half pine bark and half potting mix? You make your own mix normally or you use a specific brand?

Yes, what I use now is closer to 3-1-1 than it is 5-1-1 since it is reused 5-1-1 that I have added additional potting mix to. The real, original 5-1-1 is 5 parts pine bark, 1 part potting mix and 1 part perlite.

I made my own 5-1-1. I wish I could find a good source of the right size of pine or fir bark but all I can find is a source that ranges from 2" pieces to minute chunks and I have to sift it twice to get the size range I want. Then I mix that with perlite and potting mix in a 5-1-1 ratio. Here is a video I made of how to make the 5-1-1 mix.

Essox how do your plants look? Im curious to how this soil mixture works!

My plants are doing great. Especially my container plants.

http://2016pepper.tumblr.com/