From one amateur gardener to another

Grow a garden you're proud of, without the guesswork

I'm Chris. I keep container gardening simple: one size of grow bag, planned like a square foot garden. Here I share practical tips from my own garden, plus honest notes on the gear I use and the new products I'm putting to the test.

See the gear I use My 10 gallon method

1 grow bag size for every crop
8 products in my garden
3 products being tested

More time gardening, less time searching: Chris The Amateur Gardener graphic over a leafy vegetable garden

Tried, trusted, still using

What's in my garden right now

The fertilizers, soil, and gear I rely on in my own garden. If it is on this list, it has earned its spot.

All my gear

In my garden

Organic Fish and Kelp Fertilizer

by GS Plant Foods

My go-to liquid feed for a quick green-up on vegetables, herbs, and container plants.

Leafy greens and herbs
Container plants

Check price on Amazon Why I use it

In my garden

4-4-4 Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizer

by Down to Earth

A balanced, slow release base feed I mix into beds and containers at planting.

Vegetable beds at planting
Side dressing heavy feeders

Check price on Amazon Why I use it

In my garden

Organic Bone Meal Fertilizer

by Down to Earth

A slow release phosphorus and calcium boost I add at planting for roots, blooms, and fruit.

Bulbs and flowering plants
Tomatoes and peppers at planting

Check price on Amazon Why I use it

In my garden

Happy Frog Potting Soil

by FoxFarm

The potting mix I fill my containers and grow bags with. Light, rich, and ready to plant.

Containers and grow bags
Herbs and vegetables in pots

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See all 8 products I use

On the test bench

What I'm testing now

New products get a real trial in my garden before they earn a recommendation. Follow along and see the results as they come in.

Now testing

Compressed Coco Coir Bricks

Testing coco coir as a peat-free base for seed starting, containers, and hydroponics.

Peat-free potting mixes
Seed starting

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Now testing

Parboiled Rice Hulls

Testing rice hulls as a renewable, budget-friendly perlite replacement for drainage.

Replacing perlite in potting mixes
Lightening heavy soil

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Now testing

CALiMAGic Calcium and Magnesium Supplement

by General Hydroponics

Testing a Cal-Mag supplement for coco coir, filtered water, and calcium hungry tomatoes.

Coco coir grows
Hydroponics with RO or filtered water

Check price on Amazon Test notes

Heads up: some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this site running. Details.

Watch the garden grow on YouTube

See the products in action, follow my product tests from start to finish, and pick up quick tips you can use this weekend.

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