I'd recommend a soil called "Just Right Xtra" It has General Hydroponics Sub-Cultures M and B added to it. Which are mycorrhiza (fungi) and bacteria and enough nutrients for about 1 week. I used it a couple times and it worked well (no bugs like I got with Happy Frog). The reason G.O. says not to ph is because the natural organic processes and bacteria regulate the ph for you, along with the lime in the soil. The G.O. (General Organics) line is made by General Hydroponics, here's a link http://generalhydroponics.com/site/index.php/products/general_organics/ Thier G.O. Box starter kit includes the entire line.