We got a veggie box, put some soil in from Bunnings, but it drains too quickly, even hardy mint is looking a bit sad. How to I slow down the drainage? The things are already planted, I don't want to pull everything out. Thank you!
oh_hunnihunni,
Jun 2, 9:30pm
Add fibre, I use spaghnum moss and homemade compost as a mulch, so it holds water at the surface and acts as a cover to reduce evaporation. I still need to water regularly though because potting mix is just too good at drying out. And once really dry, it is inclined to be difficult to rehydrate with a little wetting.
budgel,
Jun 2, 9:46pm
I grow some tomatoes in pots and had the same problem. In the end I put a shovelful or two of real soil in each pot amongst the potting mix. It worked for me.
lythande1,
Jun 3, 12:56am
Mint hates sun. Put it in a pot in the shade. If you leave it in a garden it will take over.
evoalg,
Jun 3, 1:41am
I heard that it would, but it is very subdued in the veggie box. Thank you for the advice, knowledgeable people, will try!
harm_less,
Jun 3, 4:17am
By "soil" I assume you meant some type of potting mix? On that assumption you need to increase the organic matter content as potting mix is formulated to drain freely (for container plants) and organic matter will slow this drainage.
Mulch the already planted vege box and mix that mulch in before your next crop. Then rinse and repeat, so to speak.
wasgonna,
Jun 3, 6:53am
And don't forget to wear a mask when playing with compost and potting mix, can be deadly stuff. A covid mask will do.
voyager4,
Jun 3, 7:07pm
There are also those crystals you can get that absorb water and slow release it. A tip I read about was to cut lengths of old hosepipe, or vacuum cleaner pipes, drill holes around it at one end and plug the bottom, push into the ground between the plants/rows and fill with water. It drains slowly.
stylus1,
Jun 4, 2:56am
block off the holes in the bottom of the box. Potting mix is too free draining, you want compost and Crystal Rain pellets.
brightlights60,
Jul 21, 9:43pm
I buy blocks of coconut fibre, you simply break it up, soad it and it grows huge, then place it around plants to increase the fibre/density of your soil. Its a great mulcher.
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