I don't know what you're using to fill them but I'm staying with the promix general purpose. If you know anyone that has an account with BWI that is where mine comes from. You can look on their website but you will not see the prices. They are supplier for businesses.
I use a smorgasbord I create in my compost pile 50% top soil., 25% cow manure and 25% compost. Has worked fairly well. I also save all packaging made of styrofoam and shread it to mix in. But I will check into the promix have a friend that should be able to get it. Always looking for a better and more productive way.
The one drawback I have is feeding the plants. The commercial stuff doesn't have any nutrients in it. Even the ones that claim fertilizer added will not have near enough. I use water soluble fertilizer . Depends on what I am growing as far as npk strength.
I usually don't have a issue at beginning of the growing season feeding the plants my issue usually is closer to harvest then I to have to use liquid fertilizer. I am also on well water which is hard water that cause salt build up when mixed with lots of fertilizer. I have to flush the wicking beds twice a year, basically completely swap water to control this.
Nice looking carrots. I'm running behind this year, been down since Thanksgiving got Covid ended up in hospital in ICU for 18 days. Got out and home for 8 days then went back in hospital with blood clots. Finally back home but on oxygen and can do very little.
Sorry to hear you've been hammered so hard. We've got the right in our prayers so your covered there. We got the idea from Gardening with Leon utube channel. Our grow tubs are former carwash soap barrels. The 1/2 30 gallons hold 5-7 gallons of water/ food using a 4"drain pvc pipe and the 55s hold 10-12 gallons using a 6" ribbed sewer pipe. The soil is comprised of compost, peat moss and perlite with the greatest volume compost. It wicks nice and there's always good moisture just below the top. Picture from Oct with the plastic still pulled up.
