After sifting soil, do you use the fines for anything?

[treebeard55]

I add it to planting beds.

Many pooh-pooh sifting, but I like to have some degree of control over the drainage in my pots; for that I'm perfectly willing to sift.

 

[Poink88]

Many pooh-pooh sifting, but I like to have some degree of control over the drainage in my pots; for that I'm perfectly willing to sift.

I don't think anyone is doing that...I for one just don't see the need yet. As my plants in training progress, I might.

One reason why I don't is that I need more water retention. TX summer can be brutal and I can't stay home and water my plants several times a day. I'd rather have the roots stay wet a few minutes than let it go dry. For me, it all boils down to the tree's needs. If I have to add peat moss...so be it.

Pot size selection is the same...if I have to go oversize and have it looking a bit odd, I would. Better to have an odd looking tree than a dead one.