Making your own soil - Share your thoughts & tips (fertilizer, plant)

[Cambium]

Not sure why I never did this before (Made my own soil). Definitely saves $$ when making a lot of it. I also like to look back at my posts to remember how and what I did. I often go back in time like a diary to help me remember.


Anyway … So the plan is to make potting soil for 12 pots AND a bucket of seed starting soil.

Peat Moss
Vermiculite
Perlite
Potting Soil or Compost


The straw is just used as a little filler. I actually took some out after this picture was taken.





4 Parts Peat Moss, 1 Part vermiculite. That's it. This is the seed starting soil. Pretty much what is sold in stores. Barely put a dent in my bags. I did this ratio twice and will keep it in this bucket. Then boil it before I use it inside in February-March.





Mixing in the wheelbarrow


4 parts Peat Moss
1 Part vermiculite
3 parts potting soil ( I didn't have compost ready on hand)
some Perlite


I could of added a low granular fertilizer like 5-5-5 but didn't





Filled 13 pots. Still have a ton of peat Moss and Vermiculite. Didn't even use half the bale or bag.

[Cambium]

I know I can substitute or use something different like Coco Coir. I would love to hear your thoughts


I got my idea from Gary.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQ64pqXJhs



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnBXnhHgBQs

[luv4horses]

Peat (or an appropriate plant organic), sand, vermiculite, perlite. That’s what was promoted in my ornamental horticulture class several decades ago. Vermiculite is good for holding water while perlite holds air. Sand is good for drainage. One good trick is to prewet the mix in a barrel and tumble it with a shovel or similar before putting it in the pots. That way all the compost gets evenly mixed and moistened. You will need to develop an eye for the proper balance of these. Vermiculite and perlite are 10% or less.

One advantage of adding actual soil to this is you add good soil bacteria. But be sure its from a healthy soil source.

[Threerun]

I will not mention this to my wife. I will not mention this to my wife. I will not mention this to my wife. I will not mention this to my wife.

[nuts2uiam]

Cam. I gather that your back is much better because it looks like you have the itch again. Hope so. I missed the thread this season.