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Seattle, Washington

I bought some potting soil to top off my pots with. The stuff is so dry, water won't permeate. It just sits there looking dry after I have watered my pumpkins. Is there anything I can do? Barb M.

5/18/2003 1:26:02 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Barb, Put the bag of it in a bucket and soak it first, drain and don't allow to fully dry out again...This usually eliminates the problem...Good Luck

5/18/2003 6:05:24 AM

Commack, NY

Barb......alot of times a seed starter mix will be like how you described. I've found the same thing and it was very frustrating. Now i make a mix of half seed starter mix, and half potting soil. the mixture allows the water to penetrate, and yet have some decent aeration.

Scott

5/18/2003 8:16:15 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

A couple drops of Ivory dishwashing detergent in a couple quarts of water will help you "wet up" the soil before using it. It won't harm your plants unless you get really crazy with the amount.

Steve

5/18/2003 8:29:53 PM

New Brunswick

Last year, the soil I bought acted just like that. This year I went to a nursery and got the professional stuff they start their plants in. What a difference!

5/18/2003 9:40:12 PM

North Ga

Poke a few holes in the bag and leave it in the back of your truck a few days and let the stuff soak up all this gosh dang rain we've been having in the South!!

5/18/2003 11:07:11 PM

North Ga

lol!!

5/18/2003 11:07:39 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

As Steve said, a little of detergent, and... add the water warm, or even hot if you don't have any plant in yet.

5/19/2003 12:43:35 AM

syracuse, ny

hmmm. that's a weird one, but if i can contribute i would do so by typing: 8 dry quarts of seed-starting mix (although this might not actually help you in particular, Jaba)
in a clean 5-gallon bucket---pour-in 1/2 gallon of warm water, pour in the entire bag of the seed-starting mix,
and then the rest of the water, TOTALING 2/3 of a gallon.
then, with a broom handle, and the bucket on a big piece of carpet to prevent sliding around, mix that puppy up well with the broomstick---it can be as fun or tedious as you want--also a good time to mix-in some 15-30-15 or your favorite start fertilizer! develops upper-arm strength as well! 'pal

5/20/2003 6:09:13 PM

Seattle, Washington

Thanks for the advice everyone. I tried the liquid detergent and water. Worked like a dream! My plants weren't any worse for wear over it. One question though. I won't have to do the liquid detergent thing every time I water will I?

5/27/2003 2:30:12 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

No. If the soil ever becomes that dry again, then much bigger issues have arisen!

For the record, Premier Pro-Mix "B" contains surfactants which are added before packaging. So do some others but I personally trust Premier. Might be a little harder to find, but worth it in my opinion.

I sell ready made dry surfactant preperations as well as bottled fluid versions that are usefull in a commercial setting. But they're a waste of time & money for us backyard hobbyists. Detergent works fine here when I get a hold of old Peat Moss or some other such troublesome or hard to wet item.

Good Luck!

Steve

5/27/2003 7:26:40 PM