I want to pass on the results of a small comparison test that I’m running- a couple of weeks ago, I transplanted some 4 inch peppers and tomatoes into 1.63 gal pots, two gypsy peppers and two San Marzano tomatoes. I planted one of each in Miracle Grow Potting Mix (the non-water saving type) and the other two in Carl Pool Vital Earth Ultra Blend. The two plants in the Carl Pool soil are at least 1.5 times the size of Miracle Grow plants, and they are side by side, watered the same, etc. I’m in Central TX, and I bought the Carl Pool blend at Green and Growing nursery in Pflugerville, TX, two cubic feet for $11.53, about the same price as the MG at Wally World.
When I screened them out, they turned out to be about 25% of the mix. I don't want 1" long pieces of wood in my potting soil. I was very unhappy with MiracleGrow.
/johnny
Interesting , keep us posted on future results. I dislike buying potting soil. I have a separate compost pile, have been doing it for years. It is just for potting soil. I only use large pots for peppers and starting seeds and cherry tomatoes. I prefer not to have them down in the bigger garden. So at the end of the summer, I dump out and compost the potting soil. I figure it’s formulated for drainage mostly. I add composted goat manure when I pot things up in the spring. It’ll be years before I deplete the goat manure. I also add any potting soil from any hanging basket or other planter bought or given to me.
You’re in Texas? Feed those puppies some Texas Tomato Food when they start to blossom, and you won’t BELIEVE the results. I use it here in soviet Red Hampshire...amazing growth and production.
I have written down that name to keep an eye out for it.