Potting Soil Recipes

Seedling mix for seedlings

2 parts compost

2 part peat moss or coir 

1 part perlite 

 

The second recipe is a soilless recipe based on the Cornell Mix concept; the third is a classic soil-based formula. 

 

Organic substitute for Cornell Mix (large quantity)

1/2 cu. yd. Sphagnum peat or coir 

1/2 cu. yd perlite 

10 lbs. bonemeal 

5 lbs. ground limestone 

5 lbs. bloodmeal 

 

Classic soil-based mix 

1/3 mature compost or leaf mold, screened 

1/3 garden topsoil 

1/3 sharp sand 

 

Note: This mix results in a potting soil that is heavier than modern peat mixes, but still has good drainage. Compost has been shown to promote a healthy soil mix that can reduce root diseases. Perlite can be used instead of sand. Organic fertilizer can be added to this base. 

 

Prick-out mix for growing seedlings to transplant size 

6 parts compost 

3 parts soil

1-2 parts sand 

1-2 parts aged manure 

1 part peat moss, pre-wet and sifted 

1-2 parts leaf mold, if available 

1 6" pot bone meal 

 

The following recipe is credited to Eliot Coleman. 

 

Organic potting mix 

1 part sphagnum peat or coir 

1 part peat humus (short fiber) 

1 part compost 

1 part sharp sand (builder's) 

 

to every 80 qts. of this add: 

 

1 cup greensand 

1 cup colloidal phosphate 

1 1/2 to 2 cups crabmeal, or bloodmeal 

1/2 cup lime 

 

These recipes come to us courtesy of 

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