Marianne's Response

JeanJentz-question

What mix of ingredients (top soil? peat moss? perlite? bone meal? proportions????) should I use to make my own organic potting soil: vegetables in 10 containers, flowers in 9 others.

Posted by JeanJentz on April 10, 2010

Marianne's Response

I like a blend of one third peatmoss, one third sand and one third compost. The compost may or may not supply the correct pH so this is why adding a cup of bone meal per 4 foot by 4 foot area is good insurance. Remember that you need to fertilize vegetables growing in potting soil. Also, containers must have good drainage holes and even then this home made soil mix may be too heavy and hold too much water if you live where it rains a lot in the spring. If so, add perlite to lighten it up and get some air to those plant roots. Root veggies such as carrots, parsnips and radish like more sand or perlite in the soil. You can often buy professional potting soil in bulk from a local greenhouse or grower. This may be less expensive than making it yourself and will drain better as well. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti