 October 29, 2010 | #5 |
Tomatovillian
Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538 |
Use NO products that have the word "soil" in their name or contents. "MIX" is the only thing to put in buckets. Also, get some shade on the buckets themselves. You must be concerned with the temperature of the growing medium. Water only once a day on average days with average humidity, etc. Your holes in the buckets should be 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter, especially on the bottom. You want the growing medium (mix) to be damp, but not wet. You want it to contain some "voids" - small air spaces that provide oxygen to the roots. Totally WET mix doesn't have many air spaces. Think about beach sand just outside the damp effect of the waves. It will feel damp, but is well drained. That and slightly drier is what you're looking for. Because you will be washing out many of the nutrients, you must add them back with fertilizers and such more frequently than for an in-ground garden. And when you get all of the stuff about the growing medium correct, then return here and we can discuss the numerous critters that will want to chomp on your healthy plants. Then, it's on to "Pathogens 101". Take care Ted __________________ |
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