Potting soil is an essential component for a successful container garden.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, knowing how to make your own potting soil can make a big difference in the growth of your plants.
In this article, we’ll go over step-by-step guides on making and sterilizing your own potting soil to use around your home and garden.
Materials Needed
Here are some common materials you will need to mix your own potting soil:
- Peat Moss or Coco Coir
- Compost
- Perlite or Vermiculite
- Standard Garden Soil
- Sand
- Lime
- A large container, or a wheelbarrow
- Measuring Tools
- Protective Equipment
How To Make Potting Soil With Topsoil
Step 1. Collect Top Soil: Collect the topsoil from your garden and place it into a large container. While you’re going through the soil, make sure to remove any rocks, sticks, or other large debris. Leave enough room to add soil amendments later on.
Step 2. Add Compost: Add compost to the topsoil in order to add nutritional value, moisture retention, and improved drainage.
Step 3. Add Drainage: Mix in some well-draining chunky materials that will help improve air circulation and drainage. Popular examples of this include vermiculite and perlite.
Step 4. Mix Thoroughly: Blend the ingredients together, making sure that it is blended evenly.
How To Make Potting Soil From Garden Soil
Step 1. Collect Garden Soil: Start by collecting garden soil from your outdoor garden. Place it in a large container with plenty of room to add amendments.
Step 2. Add Compost: Compost adds valuable nutrients and improves soil structure by introducing well-draining, yet moisture-retentive properties to ordinary garden soil.
Step 3. Add Drainage: To improve drainage and airflow in your potting soil, add perlite or vermiculite. These chunky amendments will help loosen the soil and prevent compaction.
Step 4. Mix Thoroughly: Combine the ingredients together, making sure that everything is homogeneously blended.
How To Make Potting Soil For Indoor Plants
Step 1. Start with a Base: Use a base material such as peat moss or coco coir to provide good airflow and moisture retention. Place the contents in a large container with plenty of room for the other amendments.
Step 2. Add Drainage: Incorporate a chunky, well-draining material into your base. We suggest either vermiculite or perlite for this.
Step 3. Add Organic Matter: Improve the soil’s nutritional value by adding organic matter such as compost or leaf mould to the soil.
Step 4. Test the pH: The soil should be relatively acidic on its own. However, if your plant specifically prefers more alkaline soil, then you can add lime to increase the pH level.
Step 5. Mix Thoroughly: Blend the ingredients together to create a uniform potting mix. Allow the mixture to settle for a few days before using it.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil
Sterilizing potting soil is important for several reasons.
First, it helps eliminate harmful pathogens and pests that could otherwise harm or inhibit the growth of your plants.
These potential threats include fungal diseases, bacteria, and insect larvae.
Sterilization also reduces the risk of introducing soil-borne diseases or pests into your indoor garden, where they can be especially challenging to control.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an accessible substance used to sterilize potting soil.
It is already available in many homes.
Follow these steps to sterilize your soil:
- Lay the soil out evenly on a plastic tarp or tray.
- Mix a solution of 1/2 of hydrogen peroxide in 1 gallon of water. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Evenly spray the surface of the soil, making sure you get every part of the soil covered.
- Wait for the soil to dry out before using it.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil In Microwave
Using a microwave is convenient for sterilizing small amounts of potting soil.
Read on to learn more:
- Spray the soil with water to slightly dampen it.
- Fill a microwave-safe container with the soil.
- Cover the container with a microwave-safe plastic wrap or a plastic lid. Make sure the covering has holes in it to all steam to escape.
- For every two pounds of soil, heat the microwave for 90 seconds.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil In Oven
Using an oven to sterilize potting soil is an easy way and accessible way to achieve your desired results.
- Lay the soil evenly on a baking sheet lines with aluminum foil.
- Cover the soil with another sheet of foil and poke holes to allow airflow. Place a baking thermometer in the soil as well.
- Preheat the oven to 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the soil in the oven and bake it for about 20 to 30 minutes. Monitor the thermometer to make sure the soil does not exceed 185 degrees otherwise, it risks the release of toxins in the air.
- After 30 minutes, remove the baking sheet and allow the soil to cool completely- keep the top layer of aluminum foil covering the soil.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil With Boiling Water
Using the steam produced by boiling water is another effective method of sterilizing potting mixture.
- Fill a pot with water, it shouldn’t be filled all the way, but enough to cover the bottom. Ideally, you should use a large, deep stock pot for convenience.
- Place a steaming rack inside of the pot.
- Fill a heat-safe container with soil and place it inside the pot on top of the steaming rack. If you cannot find a heat-safe container, then wrapping the soil in aluminum foil will also work.
- Bring the water to a boil and place the lid slightly ajar in order to allow excess steam to escape.
- Leave the soil to steam for 30 minutes and then allow the soil to cool off completely before using it.
How To Sterilize Potting Soil For Reuse
Reusing potting soil is an excellent way to save money and resources.
You can reuse potting soil as long as the previous plant did not die from any fungal, bacterial, or pest-related disease that could have compromised the soil.
Regardless, sterilizing your old soil is always a great idea even if the previous plant was completely healthy.
You can implement any of the previous sterilization techniques we’ve discussed above.
All of these techniques will thoroughly sterilize your old potting soil and make it suitable for reuse.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a novice gardener, learning how to make potting soil can elevate your garden completely.
Mixing your own potting soil not only allows you to customize the mix to your specific plant’s needs but also ensures the highest quality medium for your beloved garden.
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