NEVER MIX WOOD IN POTTING MIX. Yes, I was shouting. Wood in the soil is a huge problem, because once it begins to decay, the fungus that rots wood will "rob" nitrogen from all sources including all the fertilizer you can apply. You cannot apply enough fertilizer to keep up with the demands of the fungus. That is why you see wood rot mushrooms above ground. Those mushrooms and the fungus that causes them requires air to get a constant supply of nitrogen.
Several years ago Malcolm Beck was experimenting with generic Walmart potting soil and mixing a little compost in with it. His results showed an amazing improvement over plain potting soil without compost. That's what I would do. If you could find some chicken litter fertilizer, like Medina Growing Green, you could mix a little of that in with any potting soil and that should improve it.
_________________ David Hall Moderator Dirt Doctor Lawns Forum
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