How to make your own potting mix?

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Making your own potting mix is more time-consuming than purchasing it from the store, but it saves you money and you know what ingredients you’re using. Plus, making your mix yourself gives you a sense of self-reliance and autonomy that’s worth it for any gardener!

 

A good mix should keep moisture and nutrients around your plant’s roots, which is essential for healthy growth. This mixture should also be light and airy, allowing plants to take root and access oxygen effectively while reducing the risk of rot. A good potting mix should also give your plants structure. Before creating your mix, it’s a good idea to understand your plants’ requirements, such as nutrients and water. It serves as the foundation. When you make your own potting mix, you know exactly what is in it. In other words, if you choose the proper potting mix recipe for your plants, they will thrive.

 

You’ll need ingredients that play different roles in your potting mix recipe. Drainage, aeration, water and nutrient retention, plant food, support, microbes, and, in some cases, thermal insulation are examples of these. These organic ingredients should be easy to find in any garden centre, home improvement store, or by ordering them online.

Peat Moss –

 

Every potting mix recipe begins with a base ingredient, and one of the most common is peat moss. It allows for aeration and water retention. It should be noted that peat moss is acidic. Unless you’re growing acidic-loving plants, you’ll need to add 1 tablespoon of garden lime to every gallon of peat to achieve a pH of 7.

Coco Coir –

 

Coco coir, another popular base ingredient, is a more sustainable alternative to peat moss. It’s neutral, so there’s no need to worry about acidity. Because coco coir is usually sold in a compacted block, you’ll need to break it apart and moisten it before using it. It will also expand slightly when moistened. So, before measuring it for your recipe, make sure to add water.

Compost –

 

Compost is a natural way to add essential nutrition to your DIY potting mix. You can use worm castings, mushroom compost, decomposed manure, or homemade compost. If you do decide to use your own, make sure it has been properly heated. Otherwise, it may contain bugs and weed seeds, which you do not want to include in your mix.

Perlite –

 

Perlite is frequently used in potting mixes to improve drainage and prevent soil compaction. Perlite also reduces the density of the mix, making it lighter and more manageable. If you can’t find it anywhere, you can substitute pumice instead.

Vermiculite –

 

The main advantage of including vermiculite in your DIY potting mix is that it helps the soil retain moisture while also reducing soil compaction. It should be included in most soil mixes, especially if you have a habit of forgetting to water your plants. Succulent and cactus plant mixes are the exceptions.

Gypsum –

 

This natural soil amendment keeps the mix porous and workable, and it is particularly useful for breaking up hard or heavy soils. Garden gypsum also has calcium in it, which is a small nutrient that many flowering and fruiting plants, like vegetables, need.

 

The basic potting mix, also known as all-purpose potting mix, is nutrient-rich and has a high water retention capacity, making it ideal for summer pots and planters. It includes –

• 2 parts of coco coir or peat moss (pre-moistened)
• 2 parts compost
• 1 part of perlite
• 1/4 to 1/2 parts of vermiculite
• 1 tablespoon of garden lime(for every gallon of peat moss)

You can choose, add ingredients as per your own requirement or choice.