How to Make Your Own Potting Soil
More in Outdoors
Step 1: Purchase Ingredients
All potting soil has two main types of ingredients: something to hold moisture and something to create air pockets. The most common ingredient used to help soil retain moisture is peat moss. The ingredient that creates tiny air pockets and prevents compaction is perlite.
Step 2: Combine Peat and Perlite
In a large tub combine three parts peat moss to two parts perlite. Mix the ingredients together until well blended.
Step 3: Add Lime
Add one heaping tablespoon of lime. The lime balances out the acidity of the peat moss, making the mix suitable for a wide range of plants. Mix the ingredients together until well blended.
Step 4: Add Fertilizer
The final step in the recipe is to add a couple heaping tablespoons of fertilizer to the mix. House plants and established seedlings do best with a slow-release fertilizer like 10-10-10. When planting seedlings, replace the 10-10-10 with seed starter fertilizer. Mix the ingredients together until well blended.
Was this project helpful?
Advertisement
Find your DIY inspiration or just steal ideas from the best renovations and remodels done by the DIY Network pros.
COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT
Sign in
All fields are required.
Signing in
Please enter your email address and we will send your password
E-mail Address
Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.
Not a member?
Sign up with DIY Network to share tips with other do-it-yourselfers and comment and ask questions on projects.
It's free and easy.
