How to Make Your Own Potting Mix for Container Gardening

Did you know: Container soils are often referred to as "soilless" because they contain no soil at all! Instead, they're made up of materials like peat, vermiculite, perlite, bark, cocoa coir, and compost. When gardening, you can easily customize your potting mix to suit your plants (and save money in the process).

How to Make Basic Potting Mix

Typically, using one part perlite, one part peat moss or (for a more sustainable option) cocoa coir, and one part compost is sufficient. Garden soil can be too heavy and prevent water retention and proper drainage in a container garden, but if the soilless materials are too costly, you can use soil for up to 25% of your mix to stretch your materials further.

Combine your ingredients and mix well. Using a tarp or large bucket makes this process easier. In a bucket, water the mixture thoroughly, then mix again until the moisture is well distributed. That’s it!

Boosting Nutrients in Potting Mix

The only nutrients your plants will receive are those added to a container mix. Adding micronutrients such as worm castings, bone meal, and blood meal is a good idea. Watering every couple of weeks with a soluble fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, can help provide your plants with a constant boost of nutrients.

Using Potting Mix

When filling containers with your mix, don’t fill the pot to the top. Instead, leave about one inch of space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. This will help prevent water from running over the edge.

Interested in container gardening? Learn more!