Potting soil mix

Course DIY

Keyword container gardening, diy soil, frugal gardening, potting soil

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Several potting soil recipes from compost, topsoil and sand to peat-based blends, with how to sterilize the soil.

What You’ll Need

Soil-based mix (heavier than peat mixes, drains well; vermiculite or perlite can replace the sand)

1/3 compost
1/3 topsoil
1/3 sand

Foliage plants (peat-based), either

2 parts peat; 1 part perlite; 1 part coarse sand
OR 1 part peat; 1 part pine bark; 1 part coarse sand

Blocking mix (for soil blocks for seedlings/transplants)

30 quarts brown peat
20 quarts sand or perlite
20 quarts compost
10 quarts soil
3 cups base fertilizer (equal parts blood meal, colloidal phosphate, greensand)
1/2 cup lime

Directions

If you are using topsoil or soil, sterilize it first: spread it in a tray and bake at 200 F for twenty minutes, stirring every five minutes.
Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. (For the blocking mix, a standard 10-quart bucket works as the measure.)

Notes

A bromeliad mix: 1 part peat; 1 part bark; 1 part coarse sand. A seedling mix: 2 parts compost; 2 parts peat moss; 1 part pre-wet vermiculite (handle vermiculite gently so it doesn't compact).

Safety: Wear gloves and a dust mask with dry peat, perlite, lime, and blood meal; moisten dusty ingredients first. Lime and blood meal irritate skin and eyes. Blood meal attracts dogs, who may dig or eat it; store fertilizers out of reach of pets and kids. Ventilate when baking soil.