Morning Texas,
The only soil I use in the EB and in my containers is BAGGED good garden soil. So why would I test it?
The plants that are in the big garden are thriving.. th eonly 2 that are not doing well are the EB ones. But hopefully after the treatment last night they will perk up.
mommacat
Why Use Epsom Salt
With my plants in coir I've been using Epsom Salt and Bob's fertilizer, but haven't put lime in anything. All the plants seems healthy enough, especially the tomatoes.
I think you just solved your own problem? Do you use SOIL OR CONTAINER MIX? Be specific because soil is to muddy for EBs and will smother the roots. Use Jungle Growth, Miracle Gro or better yet the lite fluffy coco coir at www.instagarden.com . Never buy anything with moisture control granules in it for EBs as they draw only the water they need and do not need over moist soil. If you used the bags of top soil for about $2.00 per bag you bought the worst product that you can buy for your EBs! Let me know?
TPlant,
What I use is bagged Garden, planter soil. Usually SCOTTS or STay Gro Gardeon soil. I never use ordinary garden dirt.
mommacat
Mommacat - Garden soil is a no-no in a EB. Was it labeled as such? Or was it labeled as potting soil/mix? The best way to test if your soil/mix will work in a EB is to do a clumping test. Grab a fist full of soil and squeeze it. Open up your hand and if it falls apart it's good to go. If not, I wouldn't use it. You'll end up suffocating the roots, which leads to stunted or dead plants.
Here's a list of what definitely works in EB's.....
* Miracle-gro Potting Soil
* Miracle gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
* Miracle-gro Organic Mix
* Pro-mix BX
* Pro-mix numerous other formulas
* Jungle-Growth
* Fertilome
* ASB Potting Mix
* Eko Potting Mix
* Sun-Grow Metro Mix 360
* Sun-Grow, numerous other formulas
* Baccto Professional Potting Mix
* Baccto Lite Premium Potting Soil
* EB Stone Edna's Potting Soil (west coast)
* EB Stone Flower & Vegetable Planting mix
* Kellogg's Gardener & Bloom Blue Ribbon Blend Potting Soil (west coast)
* Kellogg's Champions Blend Potting Soil (west coast)
I have used some of what's on Ray's list & I can vouch that they are good. Especially if you live in an area with little rain, like I am getting now! I use Miracle Grow moisture & it's working very well. It's neat to see the little gel "balls" & if there's too much rain then these gel thingy's come up to the surface. hahah
I use it to keep snails away. I put a small ring around the fence and they cant survuve to eat my plants