What is the correct soil mix for growing vegetables in containers such as Eartboxes?

I have my own compost heap and would like to now what I need to mix with the compost. The Eartbox website stated 45% compost, 45% peat moss, 10% perlite and two cups of dolomite or hydrated lime.

Does anyone know why they recommend so much peat moss?

Aubrey

Probably to keep the soil light--it's important not to use a very compactable soil in container gardening, and compost can really compact.

In the earth, the soil can drain to all the soil around it - there are few physical barriers to the water moving. In a pot, there are a few small holes at the bottom. To compensate for that, potting soils or soilless mixes have to be much less dense than garden soils.

If you're concerned about the environmental impacts of peat moss mining, you might look into coconut noir (sp?) as a substitute.

I would definitely go with coconut fiber instead of peat moss. You're going to be harvesting and moving those plants around in their pots so much that you'll have to keep replenishing the soil. And using that much peat moss is bad for the environment. Peat bogs need to stay where they are! Just my opinion. :)

Thanks for the tips...with a concrete back yard, it's all containers for me. I've had trouble with my soil maintaining a decent balance of moisture. Seems to be too wet or absolutely too dry. I'll tuck this away for this Spring! Any other tips...most appreciated. I can manage to maintain an herb garden fairly well, but my vegs in containers...not so good.

A great book for container edibles is "Bountiful Container" by McGee and Stuckey. That was my bible when I lived in an apartment!