I especially like the mixes that people recommended for different zones!

Like that too. I am going to put this as a link in my gardenclub's FB page. We recently did a workshop on hypertufa.Timely!

One question.... for now ...

Why is your chicken grit dark? The one I bought here was a bright white.

Are there different kinds of Chicken Grit? I am going to have to get more Hypertufa.

Great article. Good comments from some of the avid semaholics

Great article Chris. Your containers are always beautiful, you have a knack for growing in containers.

I love all the different recipes for potting mix. Lets us all understand that one recipe may not fit all situations. So experiment and find the one that works for your climate and growing conditions.

Marilyn did you check the information on the bag? Is it a granite/stone product or crushed oyster shells. Maybe you could show us a photo?

Love your containers.

Chris is a master at container gardening.

Picture maybe when the blizzard passes

Chris, I loved the point you made about how containers are beneficial to the health of your plants in that containers enable one to "save" a plant from a deluge of rain or drip, or overbearing sun or devasting wind or pelting hail, etc. just by picking it up or wheeling it out of the way of danger.
I had all my semps in 11 flats of soil for 12 years and it was so easy to move and rotate and re-locate to 3 different states. Now all 11 flats are planted into a raised brick bed and I can't move a thing. The sun only shines at a certain angle on the bed and I can't rotate it. And if my husband changes jobs and needs to move.....
Well, gotta read the rest of the article.

P.S.loved your container plantings!

That swan container is spectacular!

I've got a question (maybe best aimed at ValleyLynn). Forest compost? Do you just mean you scoop up stuff from the forest floor, maybe between the leaf litter and the true soil? Or is this a product I'm unfamiliar with?

It is shredded forest products that are composted. We get it from our local Farm & Feed store. The carrry compost and different grades of bark mulch.

Thanks for explaining! I liked my mental image, but it didn't seem very efficient

I've definitely never seen anything like that at my local garden centers, but I'll ask next time I'm in. Certain things stay in a shed until someone utters the secret password... I was driving half an hour to get my pelleted chicken manure, only to find out years later that my local shop carried it all along!

Here is a place in your area that has compost. http://www.enchantedforestnurs...

You are a fount of knowledge, Lynn! I've never heard of that place, and it's only half an hour from my house! That's no further than my old bird doo supplier

Bit,

"old bird doo supplier"???

Marilyn

Glad I could help.

Marilyn, I was referencing my previous post - driving half an hour for chicken manure when there was a store in my city that sold it all along.

Sorry for the late participate in this discussion - I go to bed really early.

Thanks for all the kind comments, and to Lynn for answering some of the questions and concerns!

I was hoping all the different recipes would help people create their own ideal mix, and I appreciate your feedback on that!

Bev, the thought of moving at this point in my gardening life is overwhelming. I couldn't even imagine trying to move all my plants. I hope your DH doesn't change jobs for a long, long time.

Bitbit, the swan is one of Lynn's containers. It is gorgeous!

bitbit said:Marilyn, I was referencing my previous post - driving half an hour for chicken manure when there was a store in my city that sold it all along.

Good morning Chris. This article makes me want to get out and grab some containers and get to planting.