How to choose soil for Jasmine vine starters

Selecting the correct soil for Terra Cotta pots to start climbing Jasmine starters is necessary to facilitate correct growth. A combination soil of compost and sterile potting soil is best. Use your own compost pile or buy bags.  Sterile soil comes from Nursery in bags or sometimes in piles.  You can also have some delivered from your area landscape service, but it may not be sterile.

Things you'll need:

• Compost from home compost bin or commercial bags
• Sterile potting soil from bags
• Plastic bucket with lid for mixing and storing compost and sterile soil
• Water

1. USE COMPOST FROM YOUR COMPOST PILE OR FROM COMMERCIAL BAGS. Almost all Garden Stores like Calloways or Home Stores like Lowes or Home Depot will have bags of compost for sale.. If you have had a compost pile or bin for some time, you can use your well-composted material. It should be well-seasoned , no large pieces of material, reasonable finely composted.  For information on making a compost bin see  http://www.ehow.com/how_5458121_build-compost-bin-recycled-materials.html
2. CHOOSE BAG OF STERILE POTTING SOIL FROM A NURSERY. Again, you can find sterile potting soil at most any nursery or home store garden department. Ask the representative to steer you in the right direction and make sure the potting soil is sterile, free of weed material. Any brand will do.  See also  http://www.ehow.com/how_5381135_make-own-organic-fertilizer.html
3. MIX ONE PART COMPOST WITH ONE PART OF STERILE POTTING SOIL. Use the plastic bucket to mix combination of compost with sterile potting soil. Mix well, turning several times in bucket. Use a little water to help mix the two ingredient soils. Do not make slurry by over watering. A moist mix is what you are seeking. When color of mix is consistent, you have mixed compost and sterile potting soil sufficiently to use as your soil for Jasmine vine starters. Plant starter vines per this author’s directions in article on How To Start Climbing Jasmine Vine Cuttings. Use what mix you need, put lid on bucket and mark as necessary with date. Occasionally, open bucket and mix with trowel. Reuse on any potted plants or outdoor plantings in spring. Store bucket of soil mix in cool, dark location, easily accessible.  See also http://www.ehow.com/how_5383393_add-organic-nutrients-soil.html

Tips and Warnings:

• Make sure compost is fine, not with large still decaying pieces.

• Use sterile potting soil you are sure of.

• Add water to mix sparingly to obtain a slightly moist texture of compost and sterile potting soil.

• Do not over water.

• Keep lid .on bucket during storage periods.

For more information see:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5599389_cut-jasmine-starter-vine.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5599486_start-climbing-jasmine-vine-cuttings.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5603275_choose-pots-jasmine-vine-starters.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5395896_control-plant-pests-organically.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5395757_control-vine-weevils.html