A lot of us here put organics in our soil mix. The summer heat requires something that holds water.

We all have our own individual mix, but several grind up pine cones or pine bark fresh off the tree, letting it compost in the soil. My favorite is used coffee grounds. It is time to be thinking about soil mix, so what preferences would others here have for pine, coffe, or something else?

My mix is almost purely anorganic, i used to add a bit of cocopeat but i dont see problems with the trees planted in the anorganic substrate, so i dont do that anymore.

The summers here are long and hot, with days with highs 95 to 100F, 37C or so, and little or no rain, and lows not too much lower. This weather lasts July to September. We basically have two choices, stay home and water thre times a day, or mix something into the soil mix that holds more water, like organics. Most everyone here mixes organics in.

What I have read indicates pine bark and needles have something that keeps non pines from full health. Does anyone have experience that supports this or not?

Ivan Mann wrote: What I have read indicates pine bark and needles have something that keeps non pines from full health. Does anyone have experience that supports this or not?

Zelkova: airlayered in pure pine bark. 5 weeks I think.

That is an impressive result!!

I asked Google (which I should've done first) and found no support for the idea I remember reading, but did find plenty of sites saying it was a good idea.

One advantage is that it makes soil acidic, which is good for azaleas, etc., and in particular around here with relatively basic water.

Same for, pine needles. I have plenty of pine trees around here.

OK, add a component to the soil mix.

lucR wrote: That is an impressive result!!