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  • From: BCLuton AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Potting Mixes
  • Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:41:41 EST

Hi Andy,
 
Both Sunshine and Pro Mix have OMRI Approved potting soils now.  I'm not sure who's out there for suppliers in your area but I'm sure you could contact W H Milikowski in East Syracuse.  They carry both brands - although the OMRI lines - may need to be ordered.  I'm sure they'd have no problem doing so as a pallet.  And they do make deliveries throughout NYS. 
 
Griffin Greenhouse Supply in Auburn is a few miles closer to you but I've always preferred working with the former.
 
Mike Mortas
WH Milikowski
6604 Joy Road
E. Syracuse, NY 13057
(877) 473-3609
 
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I should add that I've never used either products.  
 
We mix our own potting soil which works quite well and is much more cost effective. Its also nice because you can tweak the recipe a bit depending on what you'll be seeding at that time.  For example we up the compost percentage for all squash, melons, brassicas, toms/peppers/etc.
 
We make about three batches per year.  We premix the first in fall in a 500 gallon Rubbermaid water trough and have fashioned a lid for it.  Ideally it sets in the greenhouse so its thawed come spring.  We make another batch in spring and another in early summer for fall seedlings.
 
The mix is pretty straight forward.  And there is certainly some flexibility depending on your preferences / availability. 
 
Generally speaking our mix consists of  2 bail's Black Peat (Sunshine has an OMRI approved peat with no wetting agents), 1 Bag Course Perlite(1/3yd.), 1 bag Course Vermiculite(1/3 yard), 2 bags garden lime(this is non-hydrated and is usually in 25lb bags), 50 lbs. Greensand, 25 lbs Rock Phos., 25 - 50 lbs. bone meal,  +/-  half yard of finely screened finished compost.
 
 
My gut is that our immediately available feed needs are coming from the bonemeal and compost.  The minerals in the mix become available later.(perhaps even in the field)
 
Last year we made a batch with Fertrell Gold Label Starter (2-4-2) which is OMRI approved this covered the amendments.  It was easier than mixing all three.  It seemed to work well.  We happened to have it on hand but I was somewhat concerned using it in a potting mix because of the Alfalfa Meal.  We'd previously played around with straight Alfalfa Meal as a nitrogen source and found that it seems to suppress germination especially in smaller seeded crops.
 
There are a number of good compost producers in upstate New York.  My neighbor at Toad Hollow Farms Natural Compost has a nice product.  As do the Knapps at Cobblestone Valley Farm in Preble.  There is a vermi-compost producer RT Solutions in Geneseo.(I've never used their compost)  You might consider calling Jean Bonhotal at Cornell Waste Management Institute (607) 255-2644 and asking for a list of registered compost producers in your area.
 
Good luck.
 
Brian
 
PS - Is that your three row seeder listed in Phelps on Craigs List?




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