I have always used a good organic potting soil with lots of compost and I add perlite to keep the soil from compacting over time. I would like to find a substitute for the perlite, partly because the only perlite I can find is from Miracle Grow. I've never tried blending my own soil because I don't really have time, but I'm wondering if I just blend compost and leaf mold would that work.

Ed Thabauld from Bentley Gardens suggested I use Black Cow or Milorganite mixed in with my soil -- mine is clay so this helps mine to grow better with little watering.

Thanks for your answer Christine. Hmmm. I have never heard of Black cow. Is that soil or compost? It would sure be nice if milorganite would repel pill bugs.

I just found Black Kow on google. Hopefully they'll answer my email tomorrow so I can find out where to buy it around here. I have seen posts from some hosta growers who plant their hostas in raised beds of compost only. But in a pot does that still work.

Still works in a pot -- I know Ed has all his in pots... like 15,000 of them or something -