Make Your Own Potting Compost

[@GreenSideUp]

It's been about 4 years now since I made up my own compost mixes, simply because all of my compost has been aimed squarely at making no dig beds. But my recipe was aimed at the old John Innes one, which I would make a couple of dustbins full of, then change each batch as I needed to use it, making either more free draining or richer as needed. I think compost is going to be such a huge thing from now on with prices going up and quality going the other way. I would urge all gardeners to start making their own and experimenting...Steve...🙂

[@Electedsphinx40]

Compost and chickens are about to be huge as everyone is realizing these two literally put half the food business in shambles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@albertbell7120]

Yes and once these lunatics have phased out peat based … tried this season and most things without peat what I’ve grown are no where near the ones in peat based … started to make my own compost

[@christinethompson3579]

⁠@@albertbell7120they want rid of peat because it works! If we grow our own food we don’t need to buy it so the lunatics make no money from us. Don’t forget they’re trying to control us fully .

[@smouncy2359]

I am 11 and I watch these videos not even with anyone I chose to watch these and usually it’s the parents telling the children how to grow thing and garden but I am the one that tells my parents what to do 😂 I am obsessed with growing things

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great attitude, often you will know more than your parents, except in terms of "lived life" and dealing with problems :( Gardening and growing is great for gaining many insights though, and having a brighter brain, I wish you well.

[@smouncy2359]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you you much for replying ❤️

[@royormonde3682]

I built a compost bay system back in 2018 modeled on your main compost area you have with the tin roof. Mine is a 3 bay system about 1.5 metres square in each bay and a couple years ago I made a couple frames that sit on top of the 3rd bay with 10 mil screening which the final compost goes through just before I use it, taking the large woody material out which then goes back into the second bay for more composting. I also use this screening rack for drying the onions in the fall......cheers Charles, your videos are as always very informative and contain real world practical knowledge we can see and follow as your garden grows. Looks like 2023 will be another very successful year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your lovely comment, Roy and you are clearly a very practical man! That's a brilliant idea.

[@ИринаСмирнова-д7к]

Здравствуйте Чарльз! У нас ,в Самаре, ещё глубокая зима. Получаю удовольствие от просмотра вашего ролика. Осенью привезла с дачи компост для рассады,за что Вам очень благодарна! Ваши советы пошли мне на пользу! В конце февраля буду сеять томаты и перцы для выращивания в теплице. Раньше, когда не готовила компост,покупала и добавляла в грунт гранулированный конский навоз. Теперь такой необходимости нет. Есть компост! И он мне заменит это! Здоровья Вам ,Чарльз и огромных урожаев! С приветом к Вам из России!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Я взволнован, чтобы прочитать это! Удивительно, что вы так далеко и пользуетесь этими знаниями и идеями. Я очень рад, что теперь вы можете делать и использовать хороший компост

[@nickhammersonrocks]

NOTHING LIKE GETTING FREE COMPOST !!!!!! THANKS PETE PEAT !!!!!!!

[@eb1684]

Looks like a beautiful January day in England!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Was amazing!😎

[@tedbastwock3810]

9:07 "... that mix is working for me at the moment... Its not like I can give you the perfect recipe that can work every time ...your X will be different from mine, your Y will be different than mine ..." There have never been words spoken that are more honest than this. It takes a true teacher, it takes someone with a true understanding, only the best teacher can speak like this. Even greats of the past, and greats they indeed were, pushed and promoted their own specific and detailed recipes that they claim worked everywhere. Charles is clearly the GOAT, bar none. Thank you, Professor Dowding

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Ted 💚

[@tree.....4884]

thats my boy Charles!!!! was just talking about making potting compost this week, yeaaaaaa boiiiiiii

[@mdriskell3057]

We received your children's book in the mail! It is absolutely wonderful, and we look forward to the experiments! I also received your No Dig book for Christmas! Thank you for all the hard work you and your team do to help us grow food!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah good, thanks for sharing!

[@TheFarmDream]

Really like the idea of a worm compost. After seeing you do it over the last month's I feel we need to give it a try this year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go for it Raymond, space requirement is not too much!

[@johndyer9232]

@@iTeerRex Not what? Who? Raymond, is a person Charles apparently knows to operate the site the comment came from.

[@mcoates111]

It goes to -40° where I live, so I put my little wormies in a garbage can and put them in my utility room where it's cooler than the rest of my home. They munched on my kitchen scraps, and I just checked them the other day. They are happy and active and multiplying like crazy. Experiment is a success!

[@christopherburman3340]

Rock dust is good in worm compost. Worms are like chucks. They need grit or sand to chew on. So rock dust is a good mix. Worms also seem to like a little lime

[@OffGridWithTheUdens]

Charles I feel you are one of the world's treasures ☺️☺️ Looking into doing one of your online courses and cannot wait!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful and thank you

[@jonahpoll9886]

First year of making my own compost. You are a big inspiriation ! Greets from holland

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jonah, go well

[@curtdunlap6818]

Buckets work well for mixing potting mix, but a cement mixer is so much more fun! 😄 I removed the handle and snapped a lid on my bucket, then rolled it around on the ground. That seemed to work pretty well. It would also be a good way to entertain your young gardeners for a while too!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 good thoughts, but I'm no fan of motor noise!

[@howardchambers9679]

​@@CharlesDowding1nodigyou know you can get electric mixers? I use one to mix in some sharp sand with my home made riddled compost. Makes a lovely seed compost.

[@albertbell7120]

I use to use a mixer when I grew my show leeks … secret ingredients all went in and made life a lot easier

[@valerieburkett2903]

This is great information . You are a gem!

[@ibrstellar1080]

Another information packed video and I love the experiments you share with us as it offers a brilliant template for learning new methods.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀💚

[@anniinglucksdorf960]

This was such a wonderful video! I managed my compost much better last season then the ones before and "harvesting" great compost felt like my biggest achievement last growing season! It feels so empowering! I did start new beds with store bought compost last season and growth was very poor. Spreading my homemade compost on top this autumn felt so good!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is wonderful to see Anni, and it makes me happy that you are happy! And empowered.

[@icouldjustscream]

Our little garden is urban, so space is an issue. Even so, I still have a homemade pallet compost bin and a twiggy/branchy compost pile where we throw brush cuttings, etc. I would love to have a wormery 🪱, but I would have to keep them in the house over winter here 🇨🇦! My husband would draw the line at that! I do buy a big bag of worm compost in the spring, a little goes a long way. Thank you for the compost tutorial !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well, considering your climate and small space, you are doing really well. And thanks for making me smile at the thought of having a wormery in the house!! I do understand your husbands point of view 😂

[@ninemoonplanet]

I keep my wormery in my kitchen. The worms don't escape, there's no odour, and it so handy to add diced vegs or other things right into. Added bonus, winter doesn't slow it down. I avoid meat, animal products like dairy (that will make it stink) and the allium family, same reason along with the worms just don't like onions, garlic, etc.

[@mcoates111]

My wormies are in a garbage can in my utility room as it goes to -40° here. No smell, no mess, just happy little worms.

[@angelad.8944]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Worms everywhere when the power goes out too, haha 😁

[@cherylhowker1792]

My worm farm is in my lounge, but it’s more an everyday room and gardening room games room etc. I look after them as little pets really and treat them well they are hard workers and extremely happy here.

[@geofflowton4165]

bought 2 of the childrens books the grandchildren are fascinated with it thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to hear that Geoff, thanks

[@3DPrinterAcademy]

Always amazed at how good your seedlings look. I 3D printed a 4mm sieve and it works great!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so cool Stephen! What do you reckon it cost in materials, electricity and time? I know that's not the point for you, but I'm just interested.

[@3DPrinterAcademy]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Great question! it would cost $5.09 USD in materials and roughly $0.38 USD in electricity (at UK electricity rates) and 5.5 hours to print.

[@artstamper316]

@@3DPrinterAcademy So cool!

[@janetrush8340]

Oh my a new book for children. Had to stop the video and go order it. Now to go make compost and get some seeds started. Thank you Charles, I've learned so much from you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hope you enjoy it Janet and thanks 💚

[@ht6684]

That's brilliant using the worm composte as a screen. I have some laying around.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

👍

[@redmonkey3556]

About the Rock dust, I put it directly in my worm composte so it can composte with the rest, its a realy slow process to break it down but the microbes love it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, absolutely right! That's actually how are use it mostly, and it's why I should prefer to use seaweed for the extra minerals here, I'm getting some next week

[@redmonkey3556]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig seeweed or kelp is good but feromagnetic basalt rock dust bring something else to the table

[@redmonkey3556]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig the reason I use it is for de diversity of microbes that feed on it diverity is life, more diversity never hurts

[@happyfisherman4432]

thanks Charles, I learn a lot from you and apply it to my attempts at growing a few things like herbs, salad greens, bush beans and tomatoes on my 2nd floor apartment deck in 10 gallon grow bags. this will be my 5th year. I am in zone 8b on the west coast of Canada,, I live by myself so it is a great hobby. I spend lots of time out on my deck in summer just drinking a beer and relaxing enjoying the greenery.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great, thanks for sharing, hope you get out there soon

[@jean-pierregesquiere533]

Le compost de vers est excellent Charles 👍 Il y a 2 ans et demi, j'avais fait venir par le biais de mon fermier,4 tonnes de fumier de bovins bien noir Il men reste encore beaucoup et depuis cette année j'ai énormément de vers donc de fumier Je vais en garder sur le côté et les nourrir avec mes déchets de cuisine,je mettrais aussi une bâche noire par dessus 😉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

C'est chouette J-P! Un beau ressource

[@BillLowenburg]

Great suggestions, thanks! I like the idea of experimenting. Everyone has to find out for themself what works in their area with the materials available. I always have three or four compost piles going and their composition always varies. In general I use a lot of oak leaves, grass clippings, kitchen cuttings, wood ash. I also keep several “long-term” piles, with old garden plants, weeds, leaves, and ornamental grasses. In these I don’t chop anything, I just pile it up. These piles take years to break down and I often use them as mulch around small trees I’ve transplanted. For me there’s no perfect formulae for compost, soil, etc. I just combine a big mixture of organic ingredients and turn the pile over from time to time. I’ve found that trying to achieve fast results isn’t worth the worry - I mean after all aren’t we interested in gardening as an alternative to the attitude of instant gratification promoted by the online and advertising world?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing this Bill, and your last sentence is magnificent! It's part of the joy of making compost, seeing how long is needed and how it always varies 😀

[@naturegirlmia]

AMAZING!!!! You speak of cow manure. Our Jerseys got out last Fall and a few of them were roaming around the lawn when we got back home. We now see after the snow has melted very green, a little taller, very round maybe a foot by foot circles out growing the other lawn grass in the lawn. Now if we could just get them to stop and deposit ( and stand still ) long enough where each tomato plant will reside this Summer, lol!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 love this!

[@morgan0598]

Thank you so much for this. I'm currently doing smaller ways of composting since I don't have much space but eventually when I move somewhere with more property I plan on making all my compost needs. Your videos help me learn so much every time. I love your tests comparing the different composts. I appreciate that you don't say 'don't do this or that' you actually explain why I should steer away from this or that.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful! Yes the reasons are important.

Thank you! I have learned somuch from your comparative trials over the years....

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear! 🥬

[@lelandshanks3590]

Thanks Charles for this starter mix info, very nice for young plants.

[@compostjohn]

Nice video Charles. I do a potting mix made from mature food and garden 'waste' composted for about 2 years, aged leafmould, and loam harvested from thrown-away turf made into walls and stacked on pallets for a few years - all sieved and blended using a rotasieve. For an ordinary potting medium, about equal quantities of the three. For heavy feeders, more of the rich mature compost, and for seed growing medium, more of the leafmould. I've had good results from this blend, and plenty of customers coming back for more. I've never used rock dust, but have experimented with drying out some clay subsoil and powdering that and adding it into the 'loam' bit of the mix. I believe clay has some good mineral content.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is all fascinating, John, nice results!

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

Great video, Information will come in handy for next month when i start sowing all my seedling, Thank you 😊

[@audas]

Thanks Charles. Again - the key for myself to gardening is that I grow soil. Digestate? I looked it up - anaerobic. There it is. The key to great soil, like any living this is air. It allows all the microbes to thrive which is the symbiotic relationship to the fine filaments on roots for nutrient take up. Rock dust is an American thing and I too am dubious. My compost is basically ALL my kitchen scraps in wheelie bins - meat, possums (Australian here), eggs, anything - then double the weight of wood shavings. Once I have enough I simply create a fast compost pile, well watered down and in 2-3 weeks I have amazing compost. There are lots of large chunks, filled with mycelium. I use this and my six inches of wood chips and the growth rate is excellent. I pull back some chips, lay some seedling / potting mix and direct sow - especially radishes. The available nutrients and they are pushing each other out of the ground ! You have excellent worm farms. But they are too slow for me. And all that sieving with a young family is difficult. Great video.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I love this! The basics and suited to your climate, materials and time available. Here I reckon woodlice (slaters) would devour seedlings grown like this, in our conditions. At least we all have air 😀, except in the digesters!

[@audas]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I have found that chips seems to eliminate almost all critters. I think it provides such a natural habitat like the forest floor that they simply do not need to eat anything else - its very strange. Using straw I found that I was breeding ear wigs and many other creatures. Australia has lots of wind and plenty of heat - so covering the soil has huge benefits. The growth is honestly astonishing.

[@Qopzeep]

Thanks! You didn't mention leaf mould as an option. I've taken cuttings from my perennial kale last year and put them in a 50/50 mix of 2-year old leaf mould and well-rotted horse manure, with a little play sand to help drainage. They've taken off like a rocket! It was a little experimental but I'm very impressed. Root ball seems to be healthy and happy. Might use it as a potting mix this year :)!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, sorry I wish I had. Just happened not to have many tree leaves here, I need to get hold of some! That's great news about your mix, thanks for sharing.

[@nizamkuccukaytekin2845]

Türkiyr'den selamlar.Bu değerli bilgilerin için size teşekkür ederim. İnsanlara yüzde yüz faydası dokunacak bilgiler veriyorsunuz. Kısmet olursa baharın kırsal bir alana taşınacağim ve orada hobi plarak sizden ögrendiğim bilgileri uygulamaya çalışacağim.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Bunu duymak çok güzel! Paylaşım için teşekkürler ve başarılı bir hareket diliyorum

[@rickthelian2215]

Now we need to see the results of seeding something within this mix😀🇦🇺

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yup you will!

[@odette8905]

Always inspired after watching a video with you, Charles. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad to hear that Odette :)

[@homegardens7682]

Going to be using some of my own potting compost this year. Thanks for the additional nudge! Great video Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck

[@kensearle4892]

End of January, Golf in Hawaii, and a Compost video from Charles Dowding... signs to start thinking about the garden again :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 amazing mix!

[@denisebrady6858]

Oh Charles this video has come just at the right time for me 😊 as the Seed Raising Mix I have been buying is so woody & I have been having to sift it & yes it is hard work. I am trialing a new one currently so I will hold back my judgement until the seedlings come up & see how strong they are. Great video from you as always. Cheers Denise- Australia (35C over here at the moment)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Denise and good luck with the new compost. I'm glad you have some warmth as well, everything must be growing very fast!

[@rickthelian2215]

I’m glad to see the worm castings, I was wondering how the worms where doing.😊

[@lisabevans8107]

Ty Charles. This was just what I needed. I've wanted to get going on preparations. It's just been so cold here (your lows have been our highs). I've had no ambition. Happy composting.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad I could help Lisa. Brr!

[@lisabevans8107]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig lol -10 f last night.

[@georgegretzky7139]

You have the most idea most fantastic gardening I want to thank you so much for great idea are you in Garden for over 30 years and you are the best Gardener I ever saw on KZbin you should to teaching television you're a Searcher acknowledged on everything God bless you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou George!

[@georgegretzky7139]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig you have so much knowledge thank you for.

[@naomi2646]

Thank you Chatles, I enjoyed the visit, great information

[@patriciavincent5076]

Great information. I’m going to spend much more time cleaning and regenerating my gardens this season. Thank you Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚💚

[@tinawagener7942]

Thank you so much for talking step-by-step, how to make potting soil. I container garden and this is perfect!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Tina

[@weescotsman17]

Great to see you mention Rock Dust as one of the compost ingredients. Many years ago on holiday in the Pitlochry area we visited the Farm where they started the concept. 1000ft up on a windy mountain side it was incredible to see the size and quality of the fruit and veg they were producing. Utterly mind blowing in such a barren place.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Very cool!

[@Tsa4048]

So interesting and answered questions I had on my mind lately. Like the idea of being creative and just trying things out. Looking forward to the next video. Thank you Charles! 🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm so glad Monique

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Excellent, we started seed sowing last year, mainly following your advice, and had fantastic results. This year, we're using 40% our sieved compost, 40% leaf mold, and 20% worms castings. So far, with great success. Thanks again Cheers from Victoria Canada

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Clive, and that sounds an excellent mix!

[@robertling9872]

Thank you Charles for this interesting video about compost based potting soil. Good luck with the new growing season.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, you too Robert

[@somethingsomething7890]

I made my first homemade compost recently and your many videos about it helped so much. The compost is about 7 months old and it's filled with worms and i have been very happy with it

[@smas3256]

Worms are very happy too. Charles is inspiring. We would have given up back yard gardening but Charles and no dig teaching changed that. Very little expense. Great success. Better tasting. $$$ saved. In our mid 70's, learning much and great exercise.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So good, thanks for sharing!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚💚

[@Hicklety]

I am going to use your 4-pour method of mixing from now on. Reminds me of how they make a beverage called "teh tarik" travelling in Malaysia.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@gardening_with_william_demille]

Thanks for the awesome ideas Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure and great that you are the first to comment William 🌱

[@helenlatimer9230]

Thank you Charles for all your videos and knowledge, I’ve learnt so much from you. 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice Helen, thanks

[@rubyquinonez5966]

me gusta tu composta mister charly. cerca de donde vivo hay un parque ! descubri que puedo hacer intercambio,llevo semilllas y canjeo composta !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

que brillante rubi!!

[@fabiennekasbergen287]

Thank you so much for all you do to educate and make people enthusiastic about no dig and the pleasure of growing your own food. Since a few weeks I have the garden space to start my own 'Eden' and am happy to have you 'by my side' (on youtube, articles, book etc).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck Fabienne 💚

[@georgegretzky7139]

I want to thank you for beautiful knowledge

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Good morning, Charles, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸 🌞 Great video 👍 Santa brought a Sifting set and I'm growing muscles. My worm Castings are a bit too moist, and I'm impatiently Sifting. What I am harvesting is so beautiful. 🪱💩🪱 I can't wait to get planting. 70's 🌞all week. Take care My Friend 💚❤️💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Very nice! The best time of year for your climate, I reckon, Peggy! And that compost sounds great, if a little moist for your present!

[@heronildacolonfuentes4247]

Saludos Charles desde Puerto Rico!!!🌱🌱🌱🐞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Allo Heronilda :)

[@Picci25021973]

That's the video I was waiting for!!! Love it!!!

[@soniasarina]

Very interesting, thank you!! I will try the « leftover » from last years hotbed (horse manure) which had many worms in it after a few months as this years potting compost. 😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck Sonia, and dry it a little first somehow if you want to sieve it

[@DrNickBailey]

Another a lovely video, and particularly interesting after hearing on BBC GQT last week the recommendation to never use home made seed sowing compost! I've rarely bought seed compost, preferring the art (read 'play') of making my own. I sometimes find seedlings grow tall too quickly which I suspect is due to too much nutrients. But after seeing this and the following video I wonder if its also me not planting out soon enough.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh my goodness, I hope I have misunderstood you that 'GQT were recommending not to use home-made compost for seed compost'? That is such nonsense, as you can see here! Yes, your seedlings are growing too tall from being crowded because they are large and jostling each other for light. Transplanting sooner will reduce that. See the more recent video for how I plant them deep!

[@DrNickBailey]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig sadly not, at 20 mins in on the 'Balcome' episode two panelists suggest home made is too hard to achieve good results 😔. Not my experience, but I really need to try your trays and do that early prick out 👌

[@garypeluso3300]

Great information! I had a store bought compost bin and put in mostly food scrap. To my surprise it attracted literally 1000s of worms. Seems they like cantaloupe melon. Didn't even try to create a worm bin and it produced over 50 pounds of castings in a year. Since moving to a new location I should try again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome Gary

[@spir5102]

Thanks for the great info. I have been using Elliot Coleman’s recipe by in his Four season harvest book. I use green sand, phosphate and alfalfa meal as nutrients. It has worked well but I appreciate new ideas.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great! And yes, one can always improve/change according to what materials are available.

[@spir5102]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you. Just a note, I did find last year that green sand was hard to get hold of. So that’s why I appreciate the alternatives you show us. Blessings!

[@smas3256]

Thanks for sharing. Showing all these examples sure makes life easier. As you said, soil needs drainage. I think plant growth is akin to human. Our bodies use the nutrients it needs. The extra goes down the "drain". It makes sense that plants do the same. A plant uses the nutrients it needs. A well balanced medium is like a balanced diet for humans. I can't take full credit. Garden Like a Viking "plants take up what they need". Nate Muir admires you and your work.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks! Nice to hear

[@alanchamberlain4173]

Really excellent teaching video. I'm probably not going to make my own potting compost (though I am going to buy some CD30s etc) but there is so much information and illustration there. Great. Thanks again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Alan, thanks

[@tomm5228]

Great video, just moved and have a compost bin, fantastic compost in, hope I can make some

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck!

[@joshlovegood9392]

Brilliant Charles ! I’d love to see a comparison between your magic potting mix and Moreland Gold! Here in Australia good potting compost / seed raising mix doesn’t really exist . It’s always devoid of any nutrition . Making it is the only way down under :) looking forward to seeing more of your concoctions !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great suggestion Josh, interesting to hear

[@angelapriddy6308]

Thank you so so much for sharing your knowledge. Love your channel

[@imahippyburning3303]

I always learn something new with your videos - Many Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How nice thanks

[@9172Nee]

Thank you for sharing, great information!

[@lindareynolds9567]

Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

V kind Linda

[@bethhildick-smith6561]

Do you consider it necessary to add vermiculite or perlite to your mix of compost manure in raised beds?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

No never ever. Only in a few seed mixes for propagation.

[@garthwunsch]

Excellent confirmation of what I’ve been experimenting with… a peat & coir free potting mix! I had two year old coarse arborist’s wood chips that I passed through my chipper that makes very small chips. I’m intending to make more biochar and add a bit of that to aid drainage and nutrients. I didn’t chip the outside of the pile as those bits hadn’t decayed at all.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good work Garth!

[@jasonhewlett1283]

Maybe making your own potting compost mixes will become popular once again. Just like gardeners did before commercially made peat based composts.

[@hamletharris7729]

I really enjoy your videos, thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm so glad!

[@franksinatra1070]

That is a great looking potting mix you have Charles! I always have problems with my brassicas dampening off under my grow lights in the winter and spring when I'm trying to get my plants started. Even when using diluted peroxide to bottom water them. Not sure if it's related to the potting mix I use or not but this year I purchased what I believe is a higher quality mix and will try and get them outside as soon as possible under my poly tunnels, weather permitting of course. Most of the other plants do fine under the lights but brassicas always give me fits.

[@smas3256]

Organic peroxide is recommended for humans because it does not kill the good bacteria we need to heal. Just a thought.

[@redmonkey3556]

Most of the time dampening off is bc of too much water and high humidity, if you use the nurserys with the lid try keeping the lid off all day and dont water too much, small pots like what charles uses help a lot too.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck, and I'm sure that compost quality plays a big part in this for the way it controls moisture level, it sounds like you're on it!

[@potagermalo]

Superbe vidéo bravo 😉😊 A bientôt

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Merci

[@potagermalo]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig de rien c'est avec plaisir

[@henkjekel4081]

Dear Charles, I was wondering if you ever tried growing the seed in the "compost" that you get from those compressed cocofibre bricks that you can buy for very cheap. Thank you for all your time and effort, love watching your videos and I already bought your trays and calander:) Kind regards, Henk

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Henk, and I have used that coir compost, but always mixed with other compost, because it has almost zero nutrients

[@plazazrce]

Wonderful video, one of your best. Full of energy, knowledge, passion, and moreover you share these priceless lifelong acquisitions openly! Great work for peace a better healthier world. Thank you Charles! By the way I use CD60 trays, the happier in the world.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much for your feedback and I am reassured. Glad you like the trays!

[@l.d-h3841]

Looks beautiful. The recommended ratio for “homemade" here in the US is often just half peat and half perlite. Which is, of course, just a commercial mix without the pellet fertilizer. Now that I’ve been making our own compost for a few years I’ll finally get to make our own starting mix. I’m just feeling good about getting away from peat.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, it's empowering to have more control like that, I hope your plants like the new mix and they will give you the feedback you need!

[@billybowen3023]

Great video to get me in the mood for the upcoming season. Very keen on worm compost. I would like to buy less compost, making my own potting compost wood be a good way to achieve this.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck Billy. It's empowering too ⭐️

[@elvinross4685]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, this cleared a lot of cloudy ideas I have about making my own propagation compost.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Super!

[@kangtani_indonesia]

Thank you for sharing information about compost

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Most welcome, appreciate you watching from Indonesia 💚

[@karingardstrom9149]

Tack!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yup thanks :)

[@andyc972]

Thanks for this Charles, really useful information, I still mostly have to rely on bought compost for sowing and potting but find even with these it's worth mixing different varieties based on composition and also adding my own screened soil and leaf mould. I feel it's getting harder to get consistent results as the bought formulations keep changing due to the peat ban so it's not any use being brand loyal !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Andy and that's a good summary

[@denisecarvill4705]

Great video.

[@christiannepogie5937]

So relaxing…. Great Video❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you! 🤗

[@DhangsKitchen]

Very beautiful content in very videos you posted. listening to your voice is so relaxing with that smile lol. I"m joing your membership, i'm so inlove with kitchen garrden, i just dont know where to start.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and welcome, you will love trying many things

[@tater357]

This year is my first time making my own potting mix. I start off with only 3 ingredients. Peat Moss, Compost & pearlite. It can also be made with Vermiculite inplace of the pearlite. I'm starting seeds in it now as a seed starting mix and I really hope it does good. I started some Kohlrabi and Pak Choi seeds in it a couple weeks ago and I have 90% germination on the seeds, but as far as the plants go, they all look great. Even better than what the plants look like started in my store bought brand looks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Congratulations, that sounds really good. I hope your mix does not have too much peat because of that having no nutrients. Compost is the key part of it.

[@tater357]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig It's a 1-1 ratio between peat and compost. So i think it'll be good.

[@tedbastwock3810]

Always love your compost or compost-related videos, always enlightening. Thanks Charles. I would like to think that I can become compost self-sustaining, but if you need to buy off-farm then I guess there's no hope for me. And, as you've shown here and in other videos, homemade compost still has an important place even if we still need to purchase elsewhere. Thanks again, Charles, best to you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing Ted. Some bought composts are good

[@tedbastwock3810]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Indeed. And I've learned from you and have warned others to look out for aminopyralid :)

[@stevietv321]

I can see why people love gardening so much. It’s so fascinating and I have tried to jump in and learn all I can. But for me, I can hardly stand the bugs and creepy crawlies. Everyone’s gardens look pristine. Please tell me how I can overcome this obstacle and have a beautiful garden 😁

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Stevie, I get that! I t takes some knowledge and practice. For each vegetable you want to grow, you need to do some homework about best methods. From videos here, or in a book. Don't expect perfection, but you may well achieve it some of the time!

[@Giggiyygoo]

Perhaps you've covered this somewhere, but do you practice no-dig in containers? I was thinking of just topping off my containers with compost and trying that for the upcoming growing season.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, indeed, but more for large containers, so 5 gallon/42 L or bigger. Smaller containers and pots are best started with fresh compost. Spread the old compost around garden plants

[@christopherburman3340]

Worm compost is a winner. I add a little to fairly regular compost as an innoculant. Use soil blocks. Soil blocks work well for me in high temperatures (am in South Africa preparing for winter and it has been over 30 degrees C for a month)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds very good Christopher and thanks for sharing

[@helenblest8699]

I make my own potting compost with half compost and half leaf mould. Which is normally good but it just a potting compost and if the plants are in the pots more than a month, they need something more to grow.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting, I think leaves are not superfood!

[@wales123100]

The cd 60 and the other trays are brilliant

[@davidshaw9309]

Charles I have stopped using Perlite and vermiculite as they are both based on expanded rock using high temperatures like 900°C and both have to be imported.I find that most peat free composts have plenty of aeration and are good for rooting of cuttings. David

[@angelad.8944]

They are just not sustainable either. I have never had to buy either one but it makes it into my compost here and there when a house plant dies(as mine tend to do because I am always outside, hee hee). I use to work at a garden center and had an arrangement with the owner, in that I would take the dead plants home and throw them in my compost. I hated to see all that soil get throw in the bin.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you David: yet more food for thought

[@brushil1]

Can you please show us how did you establish wormery on the ground on your next video

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hmm interesting plan, thanks

[@stevewebster5729]

Spent the weekend 'Dowdinging' my compost bays with cardboard. So roll on piles of lush brown stuff... : )

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂😂 cool!!

[@stevewebster5729]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig looking back at older videos, I suspect that my heap is a) too brown and b) to wet. I've addressed the moisture with covers, would the compost doctor recommend turning in any green I can find, or will brown work in the end (there's a lot of horse manure in the heaps, and a bit of straw but mostly manure...)

[@teresasoler9539]

😊Thank you! Your channel = my favourite 🤩