Soil for pots

Lorna95

I have some plants that I keep in pots, I have always used mpc, and change it every year. Could someone tell me what soil to put in to pot so that I don't have to change the soil each year.  It would be for plants like hostas, lily bulbs, tulips, geranium, things like that.

Thank you for your help.

darren636

A decent soil based John innes. No3 I think.



I like to add a bit of nice multipurpose to it .

Lorna95

Thanks so much Darren, I will get some and start to change the soil, thanks again.

Mel M

I find it essential to add one third MPC to John Innes no 3. If not the soil can be too claggy around the roots and does not drain so well.

Lorna95

Thank you Mel I will get plenty of that in aswell.

Steve 309

I've just made some potting soil from good rich loamy garden soil and garden compost with a handful of BFB, to pot up some Zinnias when they've grown.  Was this (apart from the obvious weed potential) a good idea?

Lorna95

Thanks Edd, the only reason I want to change is because I always change the compost every year and when your changing over 50 pots it become expensive with buying all the compost, so I'm trying to plant some plants in the ground and putting the rest back in to the pots, so I don't have to change the soil each year. Thank you for all the info.

Sorry Steve I can't help, hopefully someone will come along to answer this for you. 

Lorna95

Thanks for the link Edd, I do have a compost heap, just had a quick look at the link,  I will have a good read through that, thank you so much for your help.