Flower care

Growing Media Lightweight, well-drained and well-aerated media is best for growing plants in containers. Garden soil alone will soon become compacted in a container garden, leading to poor aeration and water drainage. Many garden supply stores offer premixed potting soil or soilless mixes and are ideal for small containers. For large-scale container gardening, mixing your own media may be more economical. Recipes for Growing Media To make 1 bushel of soil mix, combine: 1/3 bushel of soil 1/3 bushel of organic matter (compost, peat moss, well-rotted manure) 1/3 bushel of vermiculite or perlite 1/2 cup of fertilizer (5-10-5, 6-10-4, or a similar fertilizer formulation) To make 1 bushel of soilless mix, combine: 1/2 bushel of peat moss 1/2 bushel of vermiculite 1/2 cup of ground limestone 1/2 cup of superphosphate 1 cup of fertilizer (5-10-5, 6-10-4, or a similar formulation)