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Then I empty one of my composting bins and put the organic material that I take of the compost bin right on top of my potting soil pile, which is starting to look like a Dagwood sandwich. (that's from an old newspaper cartoon) Because I use my "Lazy Man's, No Turn Composting Method" some of the material coming out of the bin isn't broken down completely. But it can continue "cooking" right in the potting soil pile.
Then, just before I start using my potting soil I go to the gravel yard and get a yard or two of small silica stone, and dump that right on top of the potting soil pile, adding one more layer to my Dagwood sandwich.
I use slica sand and silica stone because there happens to be a silica quarry in our area, so the material is available, and it is affordable. Chances are you may not find silica stone where you live.
Just use what's available in your area, as long as the stone is hard enough that it won't break down and alter the PH of your potting soil. Don't use limestone, it is very alkaline and it will alter the PH of your soil. Use something very small and hard, and as neutral as possible.
Do you really need the stone? No, you can remove the stone from your list of ingredients for potting soil. The only reason that I add it is because I water daily with overhead sprinklers, and I want to make sure that none of my plants are getting too wet.
Since I use a lot of potting soil, I start out with about 9 cubic yards of hardwood bark mulch, so as you can imagine, the pile is quite large by now. By now your probably wondering how you are going to mix this huge pile. You're not going to.
Keep in mind that our pile of ingredients for potting soil has been added in layers, so it looks like a sandwich. So what I do is take a pitch fork and take one little corner of the pile and spread it out a little, then I run over the material that I have spread out with my roto tiller. Then with a shovel I toss what I just roto tilled back up on the middle of the potting soil pile.
Then I take the pitch fork again and knock down some more material from the place I did the first time. By now I'm getting a little deeper into the pile, and I'm getting a pretty good mix of all the materials in the pile. Once again I run them over with my roto tiller. If it looks like a pretty good mix I use it for potting. If not I toss it up on top of the pile and go just a little deeper and repeat the process. By now I can surely use what I mixed up.
And that's about all there is to my potting soil mix, and as I mentioned earlier I've grown and sold tens of thousands of plants using this system. If you're potting smaller plants and have too much large material in your mix you can just sift it through a piece of heavy duty hardware cloth (screen). Just take what doesn't pass through the screen and toss it back in your compost bin and let it break down further.
Once you get a pile of potting soil like this going, just keep adding to it each year. Eventually you will have an ample supply of beautiful potting soil. You can use it for potting, and you can also use it in your flower beds.
Now I know that somebody is going to write to me and say; "Mike, how much stone, how much bark mulch, how much compost? What is the ratio?" Here's the answer to that: I don't have a clue. It's not all that important. Just make sure your potting soil contains fluffy, well composted organic matter, and that the soil drains well.
Once I pot my plants I fertilize them with a 14-14-14 slow release fertilizer to make up for anything my soil might be lacking.
Ingredients for potting soil options . . .
If you live in an area where rice hulls are plentiful, you can use rice hulls in your potting mix. If you live in an area where pine bark is plentiful you can use pine bark.
Just make it really nice organic potting soil that drains well and your plants will love you for it.
There you have my "secret" ingredients for potting soil.
What else can I help you with?
What is the composition of potting soil?
Whether you purchase a commercial soil or create your own, a quality potting soil is paramount to a healthy container garden. Always use new potting soil when planting or transplanting a new container, as used potting soil can contain diseases and pests passed on from old plants and can be depleted of nutrients. Most potting soils are created with three basic ingredients: compost, peat or sphagnum moss, and perlite or vermiculite
How much is 50 grams of potting soil in cups?
50 grams of potting soil is approximately 0.21 cups.
Is potting soil an element?
No, potting soil is not an element. Elements are pure substances made up of only one type of atom, while potting soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials such as soil, peat moss, and perlite.
Will potting soil rust?
Potting soil cannot rust only ferrous metals can rust. The chemical fertilizer in potting mixtures will change and lose strength if the mixture is kept too long or allowed to get wet. The mixture can still be used but may not have the full effect.
What is the pH of Black Gold All organic potting soil?
The pH of Black Gold All Organic Potting Soil usually ranges between 6.0 and 6.5, making it slightly acidic to neutral. It is important to note that pH levels can vary slightly between different batches or bags of potting soil.
What nutrients are in potting soil?
water
Does ground soil have more nutrients than potting soil?
yes regular soil has more nutrients because of worms and how their slime helps the soil stay moisturised and grow more nutrients but potting soil gives plants more nutrients to help them grow faster. Regular soil has more nutrients and potting soil doubles the amount
Is sand better than potting soil?
It depends on what you are trying to grow. Sand is good for drainage but lacks nutrients, while potting soil provides nutrients for plant growth. In general, potting soil is a better choice for most potted plants as it provides a better growing medium.
Does unopened potting soil go bad over time?
Unopened potting soil can go bad over time as it may lose nutrients and become compacted. It is best to use fresh potting soil for optimal plant growth.
Does potting soil expire or lose its effectiveness over time?
Yes, potting soil can expire or lose its effectiveness over time due to the breakdown of nutrients and the accumulation of salts. It is recommended to use fresh potting soil for optimal plant growth.
Does bagged potting soil go bad over time?
Bagged potting soil can go bad over time as it may lose nutrients, become compacted, or develop mold. It is recommended to use fresh potting soil for optimal plant growth.
Can potting soil expire and become ineffective for growing plants?
Yes, potting soil can expire and become ineffective for growing plants. Over time, the nutrients in the soil can break down, leading to poor plant growth. It is recommended to use fresh potting soil for best results.
What is the difference between potting soil and sand?
Potting soil is a mixture of organic materials like peat moss and vermiculite, designed to provide nutrients and moisture retention for plants. Sand is a mineral material that improves drainage in soil mixes. Potting soil is used as a growing medium for plants, while sand is often added to soil mixes to improve aeration and drainage.
Does potting soil expire and lose its effectiveness over time?
Yes, potting soil can expire and lose its effectiveness over time. Over time, the nutrients in the soil can break down, leading to decreased fertility and plant growth. It is recommended to use fresh potting soil for best results.
Does potting soil have more nutrients than sand?
Yes. Soil contains active organic materials which are not contained in sand.
Do plants grow better in sand clay or potting soil?
sand and potting soil
Will a plant grow better in potting soil or compost?
This depends on the species of plant. Some plants require different nutrients than others. Your best bet would be to plant in regular soil, and then after some research you can till the soil with the required nutrients.
