"Gently" hosing is probably a good idea, Neal, and the proof is that it works for you.
Good link, Margie, but a bit confusing. It says I should add "substances like aged manure, alfalfa meal, fish meal, earthworm castings or guano" to my planting mix, but all of these are already listed as components of the mix I use. At any rate, I've never had trouble growing plants this way. I only have trouble with the plants I remove from containers with a bark-based medium and plant into the ground without removing the bark.
