Making Potting Soil

**Durgan** · 08-12-2011, 04:57 PM

12 August 2011 Making Potting Soil 12 August 2011 Making Potting Soil

Home potting soil for the 2012 season was made today. The compost pile is used as a mixing base; sand, wood chips, coconut fiber, garden soil, is added and mixed thoroughly using the large rototiller and smaller tiller. The finished product is stored in plastic containers and will be utilized for the 2012 season. Quantities added is based on experience and is subjective to some degree.

Coconut fiber,recently available in my area, is used, since the sphagnum moss now sold is too fine and it doesn’t absorb water. Garden soil is added to get some microorganisms. Wood chips to give more fiber. Sand is to limit coagulation of the primary compost soil.

**chowder** · 08-12-2011, 07:02 PM

Looks great Durgan.Do you use this to start your seedlings? I should start making my own soil for all my containers,seems I fill more and more each year.Last year I bought bags of potting soil at Zehrs clearance sale,but this year they didn't mark it down.
I bookmarked your method of making this,looks great to me.Thanks for sharing.

**Durgan** · 08-12-2011, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by chowder

Looks great Durgan.Do you use this to start your seedlings? I should start making my own soil for all my containers,seems I fill more and more each year.Last year I bought bags of potting soil at Zehrs clearance sale,but this year they didn't mark it down.
I bookmarked your method of making this,looks great to me.Thanks for sharing.

I like the home made soil for the seedlings. It gives the roots a better realistic start than using the commercial, expensive potting soil. Commercial potting soil tends to make the roots to expansive and they don't transplant into the outdoor garden as well as the heavier home made soil. Meaning the plants don't readily expand into the normal garden soil quickly. My view.

Besides I don't like to buy commercial unless there is a good reason.