A Simple DIY Potting Soil Mixture
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- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- Potting soil seems to be a mystery for many growers. And, sure enough, there a ton of great ways to make a productive mixture without breaking the bank. In this video we show you a simple and proven DIY potting soil mixture.
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0:00 - Intro
2:43 - Hardwood bark mulch
3:26 - It's gotta hold moisture
6:10 - It's gotta drain well
7:35 - Getting a load of bark
8:50 - Unloading the pile
9:27 - Last words.
How do you mix your potting soil? What are your ingredients?
Fine back and peat moss
Maple , Oak, Apple, & other deciduous leaves, Redwood duff & bark, and pine bark, with horse & chicken manure compost. The amounts of each vary, depending on the plants I'm growing.
Well I have some horse poo (which I think will retain water), and used coffee grounds, so I was going to base my mix around the properties in those
Evergreen top soil. 1cubic foot. One trade gallon pot full peat moss 1/4. Same pot vermiculite. Mix in cement mixer.
1/3 each pumice/perlite peat most and 50/50 compost castings
Thank you for such good instructional videos! I love that they are straightforward and entertaining as well. I always look forward to the new ones, knowing I will learn something new. My greenhouse is being built as I write this, so everything I have learned from you will be put to good use very soon. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for the info. Great as always!❤️🇨🇦
im 57 years old, been using a wheelbarrow a long time, i have 2 of them currently, ;..... they get well used, im so glad i watched this video cause now i have a garden chair to sit in, i have never seen anyone use a wheelbarrow as a seat, thanks from Australia, i will be doing this from now on love your video.
Good place to sit. My Paw Paw sat in one.
Thank you for you video. So simple and smart. Explained 😊. Florida
This was so helpful, I’ve been looking through so many videos and this is the first one I’ve found explaining the overarching principles or what kinds of ingredients do what & why you need those properties in your mix
Overarching principles - that's what we're trying to do!! thank you
Thanks, great video, as always.
A tarp under the load makes unloading easier, at least the latter portion.
Good tip! Especially the last part. I'm going to try it next time.
Or a piece of plywood or two. Slide a piece over the tailgate & you have a nice smooth surface to work from.
Harbor Freight has a 2000 Lb. Capacity Truck Bed Cargo Unloader for $50. If you carry mulch, sand or gravel, this is the tool to have.
Great topic, thanks for sharing so generously
Glad it was helpful!
Back John when I see him just puts a smile on my face he is just such a adorable cute little boy I could really spoil him. You did a great job explaining soil for the plants you also did a great job on the video where you were taking cuttings from Myrtle my granddaughter told me who is 13 she finally understood how to do cutting so thank you
He is an absolute treasure!
Loved your wheelbarrow chair at the end haha!!
Everybody's gotta sit somewhere!
This is great content, I love the editing you do. And it’s fantastic how your family is involved with your nursery operation. Thanks for the great video, I’m a new subscriber to your channel. Cheers my friend.
Thank you so much!
You just take fear out of us who wants to garden. Why I did not find your Chanel sooner
Welcome aboard! Glad you're here now.
Chanel makes a good cologne
Hey, I’m in OH thank you for your educational video, I’m planing on buying hardwood bark mulch and they told me that their hardwood bark has walnut wood and that it’s too acidic for planting vegetables but they said that I can ask them in advance not to add walnut wood, so they said it’s $13.50 for a yard and an half, I’m glad it’s very affordable and I can see it’ll work, thank you, great video.
NICE find!!
Great video, my mixture consists of bagged pine bark mulch, coconut coir , peat moss, and compost. I add in other ingredients on a case by case basis. This mixture works well for my climate. In Maryland we have very wet springs and very dry end of summer conditions, this mix does well both times of the year. I’d like to find hardwood bark mulch at a decent price. Last time I could get it it was $8 a bag. Most people mix it with wood and sell it as natural double ground mulch around here
I'm sure people everywhere use different mixes that are very effective, including stuff I've never even heard of.
Hardwood bark- I have been breaking it up by hand and putting it in the bottom of my pots to start composting for the next grow. I just noticed piles of wet decomposing bark are loaded with earthworms. Must be good stuff :) The price of dirt is amazingly high here! I have been mixing ground up forest floor(In CT)which is almost like a rooted version of peet, void of nutrients. Then composing straw/chicken manure/tree bark/organic debris. Difficult to produce in quantity but works well. Although I inadvertently created a small pond at my excavation site as a bonus :)
Great video.
Thanks!
Living in the heart of California
I use a mulch box where I put tree leaves layered with clay dirt
Within a month its all good soil
Then I gathered dry Italian Cyprus waist that's fallen to the ground, which is fine and retains moister
For drainage, I add smashed egg shells & sand. Both allow drainage both holds water in hot days
Hope it helps someone
Hi New subscriber. That looks like a less expensive way to make potting soil.
I have taken compost out of my potted plants and they are growing much better than my plants containing mulch/compost . Only use for topping
Oh my goodness what a small world it is! I just had to say Hello.👋🏼 😊
I was watching this video and I just recognized you. You were in school with my daughter many years ago. We are working on a small community park where the old school once stood. I’ve been watching numerous UA-cam channels regarding making your own garden/potting soil. I am hoping to learn to make it in a large quantity to add it in with the very hard, dry, existing ground there. I know we need to enrich it before we start trying to plant our trees. Thank you for sharing your potting soil recipe!😁🪴
Great! Thanks for watching.
I got a load (probably 2yards) of hardwood bark mulch yesterday but I forgot the “double ground” part. What I got is much too coarse, although I may be able to sift it to get some that I can use. Fortunately space is not an issue, so maybe it will break down over time and I can sell it for compost.
So Monday I will be going for a load of mushroom compost, which I believe you said would work as well.
Mushroom mixed with something coarse that will drain... like pine bark, etc.
@@savvydirtfarmer Yes. I also plan to look for the fine ground pine bark when I go to my Lowe’s Monday. One commenter said he found a product at Lowe’s called “Clay Breaker.”
@@hosta127 yes. I've never heard of that, but it's likely very similar and will work great.
Thank you for your very informative videos. Can you talk about the selling part of your business as well? Thank you!
Can't believe you didn't clean your bumper off 😂 DOT would have loved that. Thanks for the great video 👍
Next time!
Yeah and his tag was covered
Great video! Are you in TN ? You talk like me and I’m from TN . We say we are “ Tickled “ for things . I love to hear other people with our accent and sayings on UA-cam 😊
Yes I am!
@@savvydirtfarmer , Awesome! Do ya have your nursery going right now ? Do ya sell succulents/ sempervivums by any chance ? I’m in Sevierville, near Gatlinburg. How cool ! I know a TN accent when I hear it . Tickled to see ya here 😊
@@littlebeebs1 Shut down for the year now, really. I've never grown any succulents at all... probably will as time goes on... they're so popular!
Nice ! Sorry for the late reply. Haha ! Watching your video again. I’m so incredibly bummed that I can’t get the Evergreen Soil Conditioner here in sevierville and they won’t ship if from Lowe’s or HD . It’s just what I need for my sempervivums to aerate and lighten my soil. I’ve been having to try to use a mulcher to chop up pine bark mini nuggets, which is tedious. Or buy Repti Bark from the pet store at silly prices . At least I don’t have to dig white wood out of the Repti bark like I do the mini nuggets . But it’s still a pain . I didn’t consider soil heating from nutrients. One type of soil I bought mentioned heating on their website. But they don’t go into anymore detail and they won’t answer my emails as to what the NPK ratios are . So I’m scared to use it on plants that don’t need that much nutrients. It seems that my town is more concerned with the needs of the visiting tourists than the locals . So I’d have to drive 63 miles to get a bag of something similar to this . And I can’t even find reviews about the similar product. But anyway, hope you’re doing great and your plants are thriving. Hens and chicks are a fun way to start with succulents and they’re pretty easy to grow as long as you have fast drainage and fairly quick drying soil . They’re my new favorite. I have over 100 needing planted and just can’t find the perfect amendments I need . I’ll try some sawmills and see what they can offer. Thank you 😊
Your my hero lowkey
I like low key. I appreciate it
Hello I'm new to your channel I'm from England
Welcome aboard!!
Love your accent!
Yay! Thank you!
Hi. Just found your channel. I vegetable garden in the 22 gallon empty cattle lick tubs. Could I use cypress mulch as long as its double ground? Love your straight forward approach to teaching; Subbed.
yes! that should work well - just make sure it's cypress bark and not cypress wood.
@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you! For us new gardeners, you are a vital support link to success. I live in Oklahoma and am using 3 year old potting mix in self wicking 22 gallon empty cow lick tubs. I planted 13 tomato plants and have only gotten 4 small tomatoes. The leaves look weak/sickly. I am almost positive my potting mix is "spent" on necessary macro and micro nutrients even though Im using Masterblend soluble 4-18-38 and fish emulsion and a good insoluble fertilizer. Hoping to recover my potting mix. Thank you for making this video. A lot of learning for sure.
This is info I never heard of before. Thank you. I will check our lumber yard which I never been there before.
I hear that other growers Shiff there soil for sticks and dirt balls which should be busted up. Due to holding water. I also have another question. Do you use and grow herbs and micro greens. Can you talk about this. Please and thank you.
I do not grow herbs or micro greens. But I KNOW it can be a successful project... nearly any growing project can.
@@savvydirtfarmer Ok. Thank you.
Great videos. I was wondering if hardwood saw dust would work if mix with pine bark ? We had a local cabinet shop close by .
Maybe in small quantities, but it would need to sit for a while. Wood dust is known to zap nitrogen from the soil and cause a deficiency for plants. If it sits and composts for a while a neutralizes some, it may work. It's worth a try, in a small batch of plants, to see what happens.
Hi thanks for the info... question we have horses and we use pine bark shavings for bedding.... we have lots of very seasoned horse manure.... how would that figure in a potting soil mix... if at all? 😊kim
I imagine that manure compost would hold a lot of moisture. Maybe mix that compost with 20% pine bark and see? Can't be sure unless you try it. Just makes sure it is very well draining but doesn't dry out too fast.
What ratio of double ground to pine bark do you use? Love the simplicity of this mixture!
It's around 70% pine to 30% hardwood. Doesn't need to be anything exact, and will vary by the quality of material you have available.
@@savvydirtfarmer Appreciate the response, thank you! Will be starting plants this year to hopefully get going on small nursery next year. Best of luck this season, you're doing great!
How do you protect your plants during winter? I live in Southwest Oklahoma and we can get some harsh ice storms.
Mostly, I don’t protect my plants at all. They just sit out in the weather- cold, rain, snow, ice, whatever. You can cover with white plastic.
Pine bark has to be grind like that ?
Once I get a load of the double ground hardwood bark, would I be able to store it in a barn or does it have to be stored outside for any specific reason?
Thank you
I let mine sit outside and for about 4-6 weeks before I use it. Barn would be ok I think as long as it has some ventilation
Hi Savy dirt farmer family...how long do you let your hardwood bark mulch sit and cure? Some say a year, but what about a few months? I'm gonna be picking some up and would like to use it anywhere from dec-spring. Thanks!
When I get mine, it's pretty fresh... still hot (as in, smokin' hot) straight from the sawmill. It has a distinct smell when it's hot. When it has sat long enough that the smell changes to something like dirt, or humus, it's ready to go! Doesn't take anywhere near a year. More like 6-8 weeks, depending on your local weather and such, I'm sure.
@@savvydirtfarmer thanks so much, that's a huge help! Also thanks for taking the time to share all of your videos, which have truly helpful information.
We do not have hardwood bark/mills here, but we do have lots of pine. I heard peat moss retains too much water. Is there something else I can mix with aged horse manure and pine bark (assuming I can get that from these local mills)?
Go heavy on the pine bark, well mixed with ages horse manure and you should be good. Toss some peat in if you like, but 60+% pine… manure and peat both hold lots of moisture.
I’ve seen in one of your previous videos you used the soil conditioner and sand mixture- did you find the bark and soil conditioner to be better without sand?
I’ve never used sand in my potting soil, only in propagation. You can propagate in straight sand. Sand as part of potting soil is very heavy.
I just go to Lowe's where I can get top soil and a compost/manure mixture for about $1.25 per cubic foot. Not as cheap as getting it by the truckload, but still not horrible, especially compared to pre-bagged potting soils.
How much of each?
@@jaithevegan I use about 66% top soil to 33% compost/manure, but my soil is very clay-heavy.
@@BattleToads thank you!!!
@@jaithevegan Just a heads up, I am now getting rid of all my clay soil and using the mulch described here. Call sawmills and mulch places, you should be able to find some. Most of my plants have now rotted or died because the clay soil just doesn't drain. Intense heatwave here and the soil is still like mud in the pots.
Love your videos. I want to try your potting mix, but Lowes is out of the soil conditioner and hardwood bark mulch. They don't think they're going to carry it again, and I can't find it elsewhere. Do you have an alternate?
I get my hardwood bark from a local lumber mill. If you have any mills within reasonable driving distance, that may be worth looking into. They all have to debark their trees. Rice husks, perlite, vermiculite all make decent alternatives to pine bark.
@@savvydirtfarmer I think I can get the pine bark; it's the mixed, aged hardwood bark that I won't be able to get. Right now I'm using 1 part peat, 1 part compost, and 1/2 part perlite, but it's expensive compared to your two ingredients.
@@billybass6419 Try the pine bark the about 20-30% compost. All compost is not the same, but if it's not too sticky, that ratio, or something close, should do you fine.
Would pine fines and mushroom compost be a good mix for green giants?
I've never tried it, but I would think it would be good. Start with higher percent of pine fines until you find the right mix. The mushroom compost and the pine need to be composted pretty well, at least not in any way "hot." If you do it, let me know how it goes. People ask me about that same combo from time to time and I've never actually used it.
Do you grow from seeds?, and if so, do you use the same potting mixture or do you use seed starter mix
I don't grow anything from seed. I would think a starter mix would be best though.
Now that you mentioned that I'm going to grow something from seeds using potting mix just to see how well it does,im a newbie but why do we really need a seed starter mix,thats just more money🤔🤔 (NEW JERSEY)
Hello, would a half pine bark mulch mixed with horse manure and sawdust be a possible choice on a soil. What are your thoughts? 1/2 pine bark mulch 1/2 horse manure with sawdust. Thank you for your time.
You’d just have to try it. The manure/sawdust would need to be very well aged and broken down completely
It looks like lowes carries that pine mulch in the midwest. Would pine needles work?
You need bark products. Pine needles? I can't imagine how you could use that as a potting soil ingredient. You need drainage and moisture retention - a number of ways to get there, you just have to find out what's available in your area.
Have you tested the PH value of your potting mix. I would think that being mainly a wood/bark mixture it would have a low PH reading. Do you grow mainly acid loving plants? Asking out of interest. If you have any info on this I would be keen to learn more. Thanks a lot.
I don't know a thing about it. I never test anything. Just pot, fertilize, and grow.
University extension studies of the pH of soils permanently mulched with pine bark show no short or long term increase in acidity. Similarly, studies of pine straw (pine needles) mulch do not make the soil more acid. Pine bark potting mixes are generally of a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is not very acid, and would be acceptable to most plants.
@@DovidM Thanks for the info.
Where can I buy that Evergreen soil conditioner? I couldn't find it anywhere on the internet? Lowes use to carry it but they don't anymore.
In the past I always bought it at Lowes. Now I buy it in bulk locally. Don't know your location, but pine bark and other bark's availability are going to vary widely by regions.
I’m watching this video and I realize I have a local source of mushroom compost. Not sure yet about a source for double ground hardwood bark, but I will be inquiring about that this week.
Is mushroom compost all right to use instead of hardwood bark?
It should work fine... just needs to be mixed with some pine bark, fir bark, or whatever well -draining material is available in your locale.
@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you.
Just double checking, half ton truck right with standard bed?
yes, that is what I pick up mulch in.
How much slow release fertilizer do you add?
I'm making my own potting soil as well and want to add Osmocte slow release fertilizer I bought. It has no directions on adding to pottinh soil specificaly, how much to add per gallon or per X number of cubic inches. It only gives directions on spreading on the surface of a garden.
1tbsp per gallon
Can I use mushroom compost as a part of the mix ?
Yes! Just test as you go... it can hold a lot of moisture.
Just wondering if you had thought about attending any outdoor and garden shows ?
Not really. Maybe in time.
I thought I remembered seeing a separate video where you go into more detail about your fertilizer, but I've looked and looked and can't find it. Was it a dedicated video or something mentioned in an unrelated video?
I don't have a detailed fertilizer video. I just use a general purpose slow release, applied once a year.
@@savvydirtfarmer thank you! You specified not to use a cheap one, may I ask what brand you use?
@@CBlakeDavis
Take a look at this video @15:46:
ua-cam.com/video/daR6yaa9SfU/v-deo.html
Granulated limestone for pH adjustment?
i dont test or adjust ph in any way.
I made my first potting soil this spring. My problem was I didn't have a lot of compost. This year I got my hands on alot of shredded leaves that I've been composting so I'm hoping to have a lot more compost for next season to make more potting soil. The cheapest place I found it if you want to buy it in the bags is Walmart, their expert Gardener brand.. but I've got a local mulch supplier that does sell double ground hardwood mulch, so thinking about taking my truck and going to get a load.. but this is a great subject, thanks for doing a video
Double ground hardwood bark mulch. The bark aspect is crucial as you don’t want wood as potting media
For potting soil wood = no good.
@@savvydirtfarmer Ok thanks guys. I will call them and see if they have it. If not I do have a few big sawmills near me and see if they have it.
Out of curiousty why is the wood bad?
@@randyman8984 its a problem because of several issues, particulate size , nitrogen lock , tannins , fungus . Not saying it cannot be used. I have blackberries growing in it, however the chips have been in a chicken run for a year before the chips where put into pots. Overall it’s not as predictable as a mix without wood
I tried growing some sunflowers from seed using old peat moss in Dixie cups. 100% failure. Lesson learned.
I think it was a failure because the peat moss retained too much water?
Lesson learned, but I tried it with your encouragement, so thanks. Next I need to plant them earlier in the year.
I don't grow much from seed but need to learn!
Does the pine bark make the soil more acidic?
No, it just makes it drain well. It is a common base for potting soil in the nursery industry.
Good to know. Thank you.
Do you know what would make soil more acidic quickly? I added Espoma soil acidifier to my pots I'm prepping for blueberry bushes, but then I learned that can take a while before it actually lowers the PH... Also, if there is something I can add now, will it make the soil too acidic later when the soil acidifier activates (or whatever), since I already mixed that all in?
@@EmilyDawn6 peat moss is low ph …. i use a50/50 top soil and peat mix for my blueberries, azaleas, amd other acidic loving plants
What slow release fertilizer do you recommend? Amount? Thanks!
See the new video here: ua-cam.com/video/daR6yaa9SfU/v-deo.html
I had 14 yards of 4 year old compost and 9 yards of mulch delivered about two weeks ago. Really wasn’t bad about 500 for both delivered. I have a 5.5acre farm I’m building up. It’s just the start unfortunately
I do 1/3 compost 1/3 peat 1/3 chips or perlite 4 cups per yard of oyster shell, crab meal, kelp meal, glacier rock or azomite what Evers cheaper at the time
You’re well in your way… just gotta go with what is available in your area. Nice!
Savvy dirt farmer
'tis I
@@savvydirtfarmer, in your video, you mention that the ratio is not super important to get hung up on, however, you are buying the hardwood bark by the cubic yard vs the pine bark by the cubic foot. What is the ratio that you use “roughly”? I would imagine that it is more hardwood bark than pine as you buy it in larger quantities. Looking to start my own nursery and your videos have inspired me!
I add coffee grounds and cinnamon (prevents mold) to this mix in the video.
add a little peat, will hold water for sure
Hardwood mulch attracts termites. Better to use pine bark.
Best to use both. The hardwood bark doesn't sit around long enough for termites to infest.
What did you have to pay for that load?
Couple of years old now… but about $25.
👋
They didn’t even offer you a to go bag 😅
is that an animal trap in the tree?
Yes! Good eye.
Potting Sorl??
Yes
Haha your wife likes to lean on her rake a lot just like my wife. Gotta let her know it works better when she holds it in two hands and move it back and forth. Haha just kidding.
Right!? She actually works her rear end off.... and I'm thankful for that.
@@savvydirtfarmer haha mine too. And I was totally joking. My wife also takes kickboxing so I gotta watch what I say or I get a foot to the face. Really love your channel. I'm in need of additional income and I've been propagating plants for my own use all my life. Getting the nerve up to try selling. My yard is full of high dollar ornamental plus fan favorites like grapes, figs, and thornless blackberries in addition to hostas, nut trees, dogwoods, Holly, redbud, and tons more bushes like wageila and flowing almond and lilacs.
Just subscribed today and working my way through the list. I know nothing of shipping or how to charge for that or how to pack the plants. Hopefully you have material on that. So far every single video has been extremely helpful. And I have a thick 40 x 25 tarp that will be the perfect ground cover. Just making plans now but even that helps take the stress off somewhat. Just knowing there is a way out helps. This inflation and gas is crushing my family. Everything went up ... except my hourly wage and I'm barely holding on. Your videos give me hope and a feeling like I am in control of my own destiny rather than being powerless. Thank you for that.
@@darkangelsoaps8258 Sounds like you've got 2/3 of it figured out... getting "the nerve" to do it? That's a whole 'nother thing - I assure you, I struggled with it myself.
I watched all the way clear through your commercial and you still haven’t told me nothing
OK
A two wheeled wheel barrow is way easier. Just sayin.
Always make do with what I have until it make sense to upgrade... but when I do, I'll get a 2 wheel with more capacity.