Why do I make my own potting mix, when it is so easy to buy ready-made from the store? The simple answer is that I haven’t found one yet that I’ve been entirely happy with. It dries out too easily, it gets compacted, it is filled with chunks of pine chips and other low quality ingredients, and it gets expensive!

Making my own allows me to get a mix that is easier on the wallet as well as control what is feeding my plants. I use equal parts cow manure, coir and vermiculite which all have wonderful water holding abilities and help create a mixture that remains light and fluffy.

Vermiculite can be found at Bunnings and Mitre 10 but if you are going to be making a lot, I highly recommend searching for the big 100 litre bags at hydroponic or wholesale garden/produce stores. It is much cheaper per litre. I’ve found medium grade is the best, if you get the choice.

I actually use bought cow manure here instead of collected, just for ease of use. If I was to use collected cow manure, I would have to make sure it was properly aged and then shredded as fine as possible.

I buy the large cubes of rehydrated coir which will last me quite a few batches, as it is more economical this way. If you’re not making much or don’t have the space to store it (I rehydrate it all at one go so have a lot left over), I would recommend just buying the small bricks.

There is no set amount that I make. It all depends on how much materials I have at the time. I use an old ice-cream container for my measurement and just put equal parts (for example, 6 full containers) of each ingredient into a large container. You can mix it in a wheelbarrow or tub, but it is best to store it in a covered container or bin.

Oh, and wear a mask when you mix …it can get dusty.

Ingredients

• 1/3 vermiculite
• 1/3 aged cow manure
• 1/3 rehydrated coir

Other equipment

• Large container for mixing
• Measuring container
• Mask
• Gloves (optional)

Method

1. Place each ingredient into a wheelbarrow or large container.

2. Wearing your mask (and optional gloves) mix thoroughly.

3. It is best to use slightly damp so just give it a quick spray with the hose if it has dried out and mix.

Banner photograph by Lisa Fotios from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-digging-on-soil-using-garden-shovel-1301856/