Bagged soil mixes can cost a good penny especially when you have a large garden area to cover. You can learn to custom design your own organic soil mix in this lesson. Mixing your own soil gives you more control and creativity over your garden results. Depending on what you are growing in your garden will determine the ratio of trace elements you will choose for your soil formulas.

Trace Elements

·Nitrogen (N) – Tends to promote leafy, green growth. Too high nitrogen will delay flowering plants, including vegetables.

·Phosphorous (P) – Promotes strong roots and fruiting.

·Potassium (K) – Will help in overall plant strength and encourage big and colorful flowers

Common Organic Soil Mixes

·Peat moss – Neutral with nutrients

·Spent Mushroom compost – Phosphorous/potassium

·Perlite – Relatively sterile and alkaline

·Organic Compost – Neutral with nutrients

·Top Soil – Variable with nutrients

·Bone Meal - Nitrogen

·Dolomite Lime – Calcium source

·Worm Castings – Neutral with nutrients

·Sand – Neutral

How to Mix Soil Ingredients

·Research the plants you plan to grow and their needs

·Generally equal parts are recommended, but that depends on the plant

·Always use gloves to protect against possible contamination

·Mix well by hand or garden tool

·Keep a log or journal on the parts ratio used and for which plants

·Record growth results

With this basic soil mixture and trace element information you can decide what mix will work well for your organic garden plants. Some gardeners will want to get very specific and create custom soil blends with precise element ratios. Gardeners of the intuitive schools may grab a handful of this and that or simply use equal ingredients of each. Both ways are good as long as your garden is getting a balanced organic soil mix.