Can I use regular potting mix as the growing medium? What are the alternatives?
Yes, however you need to consider weight and also the suitability of the growing medium for the plants selected. The ability of the medium to retain the right amount of water for the plant, between watering intervals, is also important. Our preferred growing mediums are a lightweight mix of coconut husk, fine bark, recycled polyproplene and a suitable slow release fertiliser. Belive it or not, you can reduce weight of growing medium simply by mixing in 40% recycled polyprolene (bean bag balls.) In the book titled, “Growing your own Heirloom Vegetables,” Clive Balzey says that “optimum conditions for growth occur when 50% of soil volume is available to be filled with both air (25%) and water (25%). This openess is the basis for providing ideal conditions for plant roots to penetrate and seek air, nutrients and water.” We can see from this that space for roots is essential, the media should not be heavily compacted. If you can’t turn it with your hand or a small shovel the roots won’t es
