Growing healthy organic produce in the home garden starts with good organic soil. The soil in container plants and seedling trays shouldn't be from a bag at the store, as these often are treated with fertilizers and other chemicals you want to avoid. Creating your own soil mixes isn't difficult and is often cheaper than buying the same quantity of mix. You are assured of the ingredients and quality of the soil, and can easily mix up more as needed. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Place one part compost into your mixing bin, removing any twigs or large uncomposted pieces. Use a large bucket, a trash can or a plastic storage tub to hold the soil elements together as you mix them.
2. Add one part peat moss and one part vermiculite to the compost in the bin. Purchase peat moss that is labeled organic, as some is treated with moisture retaining agents.
3. Add nutrients to the soil mixture. Use 0.6 oz. blood meal, 0.4 oz. clay phosphate and 0.4 oz. greensand per gallon of soil in the bin.
4. Mix all the soil ingredients until they are completely combined. Place the lid on the bin to keep until you are ready to use the soil.
Tags: peat moss, soil soil, treated with