Help finding the correct soil

Alex.Aggio98

Hello fellow gardeners,

First time grower here.

I am looking to grow Strawberries, Tomatoes, Courgettes, Chili Peppers, Mixed herbs (Basil, Coriander, Chives) and Cucumbers in my greenhouse. I am aware that it is late on in the season to begin growing, however I am just doing this in preparation for next summer.

I am having issues finding the correct soil. From what I understand I am going to need a rich soil for this produce however I am unclear on how to categorize the soil available on the market. The current mix I am thinking of going with:

- SEEDLINGS: 1 part coco coir, 1 parts vermiculite, 1 part perlite
- POTTING ON: 4 parts coco coir, 2 parts compost, 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite

Would this mix be suitable to grow the produce mentioned above? Can I grow directly multi-purpose compost instead?

Thanks in advance guys!

AnniD

You could use multi purpose compost, but bearing in mind the majority available today is peat free, you'd have to add to it.
For seedlings, the mix you propose would be OK l think, but potting on you might need something with a bit more goodness than just the coir etc.

Whereabouts are you, (a general location will do), and how big is the greenhouse? 
Are you planning on growing directly into "soil" borders inside it, or using pots and/or grow bags? 

Pete.8

I still grow chilli, peppers and cucumber in pots in my greenhouse, and I used to grow tomatoes in pots too until I got a greenhouse with a border.
When the plants are big enough for their final pots, I use roughly 50% rotted farmyard manure (sold in bags in most garden centres), 20% mpc 20% John Innes (No. 2 or 3) and 10% perlite.
That mix suits all the above and would suit Basil - I grow basil in the gh border among the tomatoes.
Coriander and chives will be fine outside in almost any reasonable soil as will your strawberries - manure the bed in autumn and plant the strawberries bare-root when you get them.
Tomatoes/cucumbers in 22L pots, peppers in 10 or 15L pots and chillies in 5L pots or 2L pots depending on type.
I wouldn't bother with vermiculite for the final pots - it's good for seeds, but breaks down quite quickly, so not of much use for longer-term use in pots

Dovefromabove

I certainly wouldn’t attempt to grow courgettes in a greenhouse … the plants are large … they need an area of at least 1m x 1m each … mine are in the veg patch and are spreading all over the place, and they’re a bush not a trailing variety … you’ll probably need at least two plants added to which they need lots of insects visiting each flower for pollination. 

Alex.Aggio98

AnniD said:

You could use multi purpose compost, but bearing in mind the majority available today is peat free, you'd have to add to it.
For seedlings, the mix you propose would be OK l think, but potting on you might need something with a bit more goodness than just the coir etc.

Whereabouts are you, (a general location will do), and how big is the greenhouse? 
Are you planning on growing directly into "soil" borders inside it, or using pots and/or grow bags? 

What is the reason to adding the peat? (Moisture retention?) I am doing on organic grow so I want to make it as eco friendly as possible, hence excluding the usage of Peat Moss due to the unsustainability in the sourcing of the material. If this is necessary, is there an organic alternative I can add?

Is the POTTING ON mix provided suitable aswell?

We are using a 2ft x 3ft growbag split into 6 dividers.

Alex.Aggio98

Pete.8 said:

I still grow chilli, peppers and cucumber in pots in my greenhouse, and I used to grow tomatoes in pots too until I got a greenhouse with a border.
When the plants are big enough for their final pots, I use roughly 50% rotted farmyard manure (sold in bags in most garden centres), 20% mpc 20% John Innes (No. 2 or 3) and 10% perlite.
That mix suits all the above and would suit Basil - I grow basil in the gh border among the tomatoes.
Coriander and chives will be fine outside in almost any reasonable soil as will your strawberries - manure the bed in autumn and plant the strawberries bare-root when you get them.
Tomatoes/cucumbers in 22L pots, peppers in 10 or 15L pots and chillies in 5L pots or 2L pots depending on type.
I wouldn't bother with vermiculite for the final pots - it's good for seeds, but breaks down quite quickly, so not of much use for longer-term use in pots

As mentioned in my previous reply, I am growing in a 2ft x 3ft growbag split into 6 dividers (roughly 35L soil per grow space) and also growing organic. I am trying to go with the most cost-efficient mix possible right now as money is really tight. What is mpc? Is this mix organic? 

I unfortunately don't have the option to plant directly into the ground as I am growing on a balcony. 

Alex.Aggio98

Dovefromabove said:

I certainly wouldn’t attempt to grow courgettes in a greenhouse … the plants are large … they need an area of at least 1m x 1m each … mine are in the veg patch and are spreading all over the place, and they’re a bush not a trailing variety … you’ll probably need at least two plants added to which they need lots of insects visiting each flower for pollination. 

I am using the square foot garding method from various books which recommends to grow 1 courgette plant per square foot space. My greenhouse has a removable roof which would allow the courgettes to grow up a stake if necessary. Do you think this would be ok?

What plants would you recommend to attract insects for pollination?

Pete.8

MPC is multi purpose compost - available as peat-free, or not

Dovefromabove

How high up is your balcony ... it you're several floors up you may find that a lot of pollinating insects don't go up that high.  Growing plants that need insects to pollinate might be tricky.  

Alex.Aggio98

Dovefromabove said:

How high up is your balcony ... it you're several floors up you may find that a lot of pollinating insects don't go up that high.  Growing plants that need insects to pollinate might be tricky.  

I am only 1 floor up

Dovefromabove

Ok, that should be fine then