How to | Make Your Own Potting Soil Mix
Making your own potting mix is really easy. I got my potting mix inspiration from one of my most favourite gardening books 'All New Square Foot Gardening' by Mel Bartholomew. He uses a very easy approach to making a soil mix for the SFG method. I adapted that method and found ingredients that are readily available to me here in Brisbane, Australia.
With just 3 easy ingredients you are able to make a soil mix that your plants will thrive in. These ingredients are easy to find in your local garden centre or online. I recommend ordering in bulk where it is possible to save money. Another good thing about ordering bulk is that you will have products to last a long time.
Ingredients:
1/3 Coconut Coir
1/3 Vermiculite
1/3 Organic Compost
Lets talk about each ingredient separately.
Coconut Coir - It is the natural fibrous material extracted from the coconut husks. These are readily available in Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia etc. Coconut coir is extracted and compressed into bricks of various sizes and exported to countries that do not have coconut coir available. Once water is added the brick expands and become a soil like texture that can be used in your garden. Coconut coir has excellent water retention, which makes it a perfect addition for your soil mix. If you live in a dry climate this ingredient is a must have for your garden. It also helps aerate the soil preventing it from being dense over time. Coconut coir is perfect to use by itself as a seed starter. However, I personally would mix it in with the other two ingredients and use it.
Vermiculite - It is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral that has been heat expanded into different particle sizes. There are several Grade types of vermiculite that is used for many different uses. Grade 2 & 3 are mostly used in gardening. Vermiculite can also be used by itself as a soil-less seeds starting and a propagation medium. Benefits of Vermiculite include; aeration of soil, enhances drainage, water retention and soil conditioning over a long period of time. It can be purchased in garden centres or bulk online.
Compost - Compost is garden black gold. It is basically decomposed organic materials. You are able to make your own compost at home using kitchen scraps, garden waste and other materials that can be found in your local area such as seaweed. However, if you are unable to make your own compost it is readily available at your garden centre in 25L and 50L bags for a reasonable price. If you have a bigger garden area and need to use more compost you can always buy bulk from a local source. Compost has many benefits to your garden including; improving soil structure, add nutrients needed for the plants to grow such as Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous, add beneficial microbes and invites earthworms, retains moisture and prevents plant diseases. A good organic compost batch can even eliminate the need of fertiliser to your garden.
All three of these fantastic ingredients mixed together creates an amazing soil mix that can be used in anything. Below are a few examples.
> Use in containers
> Garden Beds
> Replanting into the ground
> Soil amendment for potted plants or garden beds each season
> Use to start seeds or transplant seedlings
> Use as a propagation medium for cuttings or succulents
Below are some links to where these products are available. (Australia)
Bunnings
Ausperl
Centenary Landscaping
Watch the video below to see how the soil mix is made!