Make your own potting mix

[@stuknox7468]

For seeding I use the exact same mix since the seed contains all the nutrients it needs to get itself going the mix does not need to be rich in nutrients but for a potting on mix I use a 3-1-1 mix of compost-coir-perlite/vermiculite and add a small handful of wood ash to provide micro nutrients in the first stages of growth before planting out. Since it is only a relatively small amount my garden chimera usually provides more than enough each year and the remainder is added to the veggie beds over the season, I just have to make sure it is only untreated wood that is burned in it to avoid toxins. I've also used volcanic ash in the past but of course that has to be bought in.

[@katebeedot6964]

Thank you, quick and spot on: my rose seedlings have sprouted using the winter fridge method but getting a bit spindly and floppy and probably hungry. Hugs to Scotland 😊

[@ScottishLass1950]

Hi from a fellow Scottish girl ! You have given good clear answers to my 'wonderings'. Hopefully next year, for the 3rd year I'll know what I've been doing wrong. - thank you so much and may all your wee peppers be red ones....😷

[@eliandkate]

Glad to hear we’ve stopped your wondering 😝

[@sandeemer1]

getting my first greenhouse on Monday. LOVE your videos. I have learned so much and I am more and more excited with every video. I'm in Texas so I have heat to death with!

[@eliandkate]

alas, I wish I could complain about heat, instead I just complain - endlessly- about rain :D

[@eliandkate]

I’ve got a big box of potting mix... I’m good to go :D

[@tonytrafford3891]

Hi first time viewer of your channel and I have seen just 2 videos. Enough for me to hit the subscribe button and bell. You have some talent presenting and you’re very clear with your instructions. I’ve been gardening for over 20 years and love it more and more each day. Keep up the good work and I look forward to watching your next uploads Tony.

[@eliandkate]

Glad to have you with us Tony… 😁

[@j.b.6855]

I had to watch after your seed starting mix video. Good base for a mix, and close to what I make for my container garden. I use 2 parts either compost or leaf mold (mostly a mix till the compost runs out), perlite ( we have a manufacturer in the area, $16 for 4 cu ft) and peat moss (Im in the US so Canadian peat). Then I add some garden lime, some pelletized chicken manure, and half a measure of top soil. I also refresh my potting mix each year by removing a half to a third from containers and mix in compost/leaf mold, pelletized chicken manure, and some peat to what I take out, then refill the containers with it.

[@ninclarke1357]

Great presentation ❤️

[@lynnetteroyce2515]

Thanks so much for the tips on making your own potting mix, my perlite and coia is arriving tomorrow, I'm excited and can't wait to start making it

[@RusstafaB]

You make informative well explained videos, thanks so much really appreciate it.

[@eliandkate]

Thank you Russ :D. Hope it kickstarts a good season

[@NCC-so2bz]

Very informative presentation from beginning to end. Thank you.

[@eliandkate]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it :D - Nice user name :D

[@brianeasson889]

Great video Eli, I remember seeing Jim from the Beechgrove garden making up his own mix for outdoor plants, which I used to great effect, never had to have a potting mix as all my growbag veg were established. This year new greenhouse, new seed trays, new quadgrows for later , so I'm going to try this mix, thank you very much.

[@eliandkate]

Making up my own saves me a fortune Brian and .... I was really annoyed when I discovered grow bags were just compost.... Nothing more and yet are more expenses than the same volume of stuff that's actually labeled compost.

[@rudozemeu3357]

I didn't notice the continuation of videos on the description great for begginers!! Very smart way to set up a channel Congratulations to the creator

[@eliandkate]

I'd you check through, I do that with a lot of videos to make it easier, as well as the actual links at the end of the video

[@rudozemeu3357]

@@eliandkate Few people really notice the links at the end of videos because if they have autoplay on, youtube serves you the next video right away. For slow working mind like mine its better to read the description😁

[@eliandkate]

😀😀😀😀

[@sharonbradley9702]

Another excellent video, very helpful and so easily eaxplained. I stopped using Perlite many years ago as I think at the time it was actually 'Our Jim' that said he hated it as when he recycled any old compost from pots etc and it went in to the borders it never loses the pure white colour so you have lots of little white dots all over the borders. Like you I use compost, coir and depending on the plants, vermiculte and or horticultural grit.

[@eliandkate]

I'm also not sure if I will continue using perlite or vermiculite as neither are sustainable but I guess it's all about learning and deciding what is right for us. I wouldn't use perlite in borders etc, for that I manage the soil rather than use a potting mix. I only use potting mixes specifically for pots and containers :D

[@MissDeadLucky13]

for house plants i substitute compost with worm castings

[@karenyhogan5196]

This is the easiest potting mix. Oh Thank you and my compost is ready and waiting for for perlite, and coco cor.

[@eliandkate]

You are good to go!

[@brianchallinor1291]

Once again great little insight into potting mix many thanks Eli

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@KashmirMovieProduction]

Nice video sharing.

[@eliandkate]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@abbytille2382]

You are such a nice person. Thankyou for all of your great information. I tried growing an outdoor garden this summer in the US in Nebraska. One would assume that I should have had a great success but sadly it was a disaster. After listening to you I believe it was the soil that caused such a disastrous outcome however I'm sure their was more than that. I planted on the mirth side of my home however their was a privacy fence about 5 feet further north. I don't think it was sunny enough. Anyway, my new project is a green house that I'm getting ready to set up for the fall and winter season and hopefully I can watch and learn from your videos on how to be successful. If u have have any sort of advice for me in the climate I'm growing in I'd be so greatful. Thankyou for making these videos and have the best day!🌱

[@eliandkate]

Oh a new greenhouse is always so exciting. It can open you up to growing new plants you wouldn’t have thought possible 😀

[@pamelamartinez2227]

Thank you so much from Las Vegas, NM - USA. I came across your channel a couple of weeks ago and liked and subscribed! I’m getting a green house kit which has been ordered but will not be delivered until first week of June. So I am so excited! I want to learn as much as I can about greenhouse gardening and your channel is excellent! Thank you for all the information you share! Your delivery is awesome and fun and engaging!

[@eliandkate]

Welcome aboard!

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

Looks like you had a nice break in the weather!

[@eliandkate]

Yeah a wee half day of no rain was nice. Kind of sick of the cold and the wet :(

[@niallgardens]

Cool video and really interesting! Interesting as well to see that you use perlite too - I use it and think it's the wonder ingredient!

[@eliandkate]

It’s one of those ones that I’m still not sure if I want to keep using it or not (environmental), but for just now it stays in :D

[@steveipswich]

Great video on potting mix Eli thanks for sharing 🙂

[@eliandkate]

Thanks for watching!

[@JBNat]

Awesome video Eli! Great breakdown of all the key stuff. Never used coco coir before!

[@eliandkate]

so what is your mix? I think the whole soil and potting mix thing has been my most enjoyable learning experience over the last couple of years, it kinda helped me understand so much of what was going wrong :D

[@MrJimmuck]

Hello Eli and Kate. That mix is almost identical to mine except I mut a measure of vermiculite in also. Since I started this mix I have had much better all round results ... happy days

[@eliandkate]

Ah so, do we think then you get a TINY bit less rain? :D

[@MrJimmuck]

@@eliandkate I would reckon we both get similar amounts .... although family in North Berwick get less than us ... so depends where you are im East Lothian

[@chicosgarden]

Great video! I must find your video on when you made your raised beds. Just curious what you used to fill them?

[@eliandkate]

Oh I’ll have to look…. Not sure I did one specifically on the mix Try this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGWliXR_gdihiqcsi=odaIuFx14YOxwnrr

[@annbaillie3539]

Just checking out this video again as it will soon be time to get started in my wonderful brand new greenhouse which I bought after watching your videos. 😁 I am going to be using Quadgrows for tomatoes this year for the first time and wondered if you use this potting mix in yours and in the same ratios. You must have the patience of a saint to answer all these comments.😇

[@eliandkate]

I don't worry about the mix for the wuadgroes at all. I use whatever I ha e. The plants get all the eater and nutrients from the reservoir so the potting medium isn't as important. As long as there's enough nutrition to get them through that first few weeks until you start feeding them

[@annbaillie3539]

@@eliandkate OK thanks for that. By the way I got my greenhouse built by the lovely Danny, thanks for the recommendation.

[@josanmargot2235]

Great video, thank you

[@eliandkate]

You are welcome!

[@adriankap2978]

Alright.. you’re just too Cool for school. Love your channel and getting so much info from them. I’m searching for your potting mix station bin. I love that so much. I’m in Virginia so everything is crazy expensive here in the U.S. Regardless, you have a great channel and so glad I found it.

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha might be the only time I’m referenced as cool. Is it the bins I use these days with the coloured lids? kzbin.info/www/bejne/amnOYmVqbNCspsUsi=TOoNWNLyWaPs3Ds1 If so, those are just the white ikea recycling bins and we’ve spray painted the lids. They are great for potting mix stuff

[@adriankap2978]

@@eliandkate Giiirl… let me say, people often think it but aren’t saying it to you directly but YOU ARE SOOOO COOL. That’s the privilege that I have from being old(er) is saying/writing what I’m thinking … when it’s truthfully positive. ❤

[@adriankap2978]

@@eliandkate Bin wasn’t the right word. It’s the potting station where you mix all the soil together on the bench. It’s the portable green with the red top ledge. Just love that thing. I’ll check out the link you sent, thank you. Have a great day!

[@eliandkate]

@adriankap2978 ahhh ok…. Yup so check the video description and there’s a link there to all my recommended tools and gizmos 😁

[@adriankap2978]

@@eliandkate I wish so much I could order from your store but it's really expensive to ship to the U.S. if I'm understanding correctly. Do you or have you thought getting a U.S. store? Now, keep in mind it's not like I know any of this stuff as far as what's possible or not possible so please ignore my ignorance ; ) I had trouble to sign into your patreon link. That's just to say I'm not very knowledgable on very much but I do try and eventually figure it out. All I know is I think you kids are wonderful and you've really inspired me to see what I can accomplish in my own garden if I put in the effort. I've taken up so much more of your time I should have and you've been very gracious in helping me. Thank you for everything!

[@purpleleaf553]

Hi love the videos quick question do you use your potting mixture for your seeds or just to pot up with?

[@eliandkate]

Ah ha 🙂 if you watch the previous video you'll see me chat about my seed starting and getting things sorted 😊

[@wulver9014]

Back catalogue watched and finally in 2021 😁. I have a question with the potting mix. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to make my own compost and as you know potting mix can be expensive at times if you need to keep buying fresh. Is it possible to reuse the potting mix to grow new plants next season? I've seen your sterilisation video, and was wondering if hot water for example would damage the perlite or coir etc. I'm hoping it's possible 🤞

[@eliandkate]

You can and you'll hear me me too it a few times I the 2021 videos but the biggest thing is that used compost is spent compost meaning all the nutrients and organic matter have been used up and its these the plants need. So you need to add nutrients and organic matter back in which I'm afraid means yiu need to add more compost. There no getting around that I'm afraid. The additions like perlite don't matter but the ckmpost is a must 1😀

[@wulver9014]

@@eliandkate Ah ok, never considered the nutrition in the soil. Can you tell I'm a newbie! 😅. Thanks for the useful information 👍

[@eliandkate]

Not a bad thing ti be learning so don't feel like being a newbie is bad... we all ha e to learn from somewhere 😀

[@stevedooley4496]

Hi Eli, just wondered if you use this mix for the likes of carrots? or a different mix? I'm new to this world of growing and have read to use a fine mix with sand? Steve

[@eliandkate]

Hey Steve, I avoid anything that could be a lump in the soil as carrots will fork if they come across an obstacle so I don't add perlite or vermiculite etc to potting mix for that. I usually grow my carrots in my raised beds and use VERY finely sieved compost. I haven't had any luck with sand so don't bother but I know other folk do. I've only grown carrots in pots once and again I used finely sieved compost for that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGGan4VjhNijqrs

[@stevedooley4496]

@@eliandkate thank you, that's brilliant .. I'll give that a go

[@eliandkate]

I always say give it a go... what's the worst that can happen 😀

[@KefalosBlues2]

Really informative video thanks - quick question. If using shop bought Multi purpose compost, do you still use the 2 2 1 method? 2 MPC ...2 Coco Coir and 1 perlite?

[@eliandkate]

Yes, absolutely the ratios are about how much water retention or drainage I want, so I only change that if I want a different mix, say for the needs of a plant that needs drier conditions or more moisture. The only time I'd tweak would be if you were using peat based products as they hold more moisture so you'd want to reduce the ratio of that to perlite a bit

[@KefalosBlues2]

thanks so much x

[@eliandkate]

Welcome 😊

[@Anndixon2404]

Does it matter if the vermiculite is fine or medium ? I've been using fine but the price difference is quite alot I was wondering which you used ? Thankyou xx

[@eliandkate]

It’ll just give you slightly different drainage due to size. You could always test the bigger stuff with different amounts to see which works best for you

[@giomammina8965]

Great info! Love your greenhouse too!Where did bought them?

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed the video 😊 The greenhouse is from a local company

[@jenkitching43]

Hi Eli, I'm just watching again😢...question please?🙏 is there any veggie you would use soil or soil/compost mix for when planting in a pot? Or is compost only best for growing in a pot? Thank you.❤

[@eliandkate]

I use a mix of compost and vermiculite or perlite for everything, only change is the amounts depending on the amount of nutrition needed

[@jenkitching43]

@@eliandkate Thanks Eli. 👌🍎As a novice gardener, I had used soil mixed with compost for carrots, potatoes and spring onions, and got awful results. 😱

[@eliandkate]

To be honest, it’s prob not been anything to do with your soiless potting mix, just coincidence. There are so many things that affect your seedlings

[@dystonialife]

Great video series, Thankyou for very informative videos. I was wandering if you can recommend a good cheap supplier of coco coir?

[@eliandkate]

to be honest, because we're in lockdown I've just been buying mine on the internet but I heard someone on a forum recently say Willkos were doing it dirt cheap.

[@dystonialife]

@@eliandkate Thankyou for the reply, Can you recommend a good compost maybe the one you use? Im struggling to find a good peat free compost..

[@dystonialife]

Also do you make up your compost and then let dry out before using , then water after sowing seeds to remoisten mix?

[@karareid4159]

This channel is my favourite corner of the internet right now! I am learning so much! Realised this potting mix will change my seedlings lives 🥳

[@lynnetteroyce2515]

Hi, I've just ordered the perlite but I wanted to know how long the coia bricks last if stored unused as I've found a company that sell a set of 6 bricks. I don't want to buy them and find they reach their use buy date before I need them.

[@eliandkate]

I can't talk about other peoples products obviously, but I'm sure if you check out their website or contact them they'd be able to advise? Because of the amount of growing I do I don't have the issue of keeping anything over till the next season.

[@marie-theresehayes6875]

If you make your own seed mix and potting mix how long would they last if stored? This is making me realise where ive been going wrong!

[@eliandkate]

Oh they last ages…. Mine is usually going for months before I make large batches. You can make smaller batches though, just as much as you need

[@marie-theresehayes6875]

@@eliandkate brilliant! Your channel is fabulous! So informative and helpful. Thank you.

[@eliandkate]

Awww I’m so glad you’re finding it all useful 😍 I’ll let you into a secret… tomorrows video is the opposite…. It all goes wrong 😂

[@susanmcquade1614]

Can you use cat litter instead of peril?

[@eliandkate]

Not something I know about I’m afraid

[@susanmcquade1614]

Just thought i would ask be4 i tryed it to see what yous think.

[@susanmcquade1614]

Nope you can't well not the one's iv tryed

[@paulinehaddrell6682]

Would you ever use vermiculite?

[@eliandkate]

Yeah I do I have vermiculite at the minute

[@KP_is_me]

Would adding some manure to this basic potting mix be appropriate?

[@eliandkate]

I suppose you could (provided it is fully rotted down) but it's not something I've done.

[@tim7589]

221 - Simple - thank you! :-)

[@eliandkate]

Half of 442 ⚽

[@kellymangan6283]

Do you mix your potting mix in large batches and if so what’s the best way to Store the mix

[@eliandkate]

ha hah! I can actually help with that. I do mix in batches and store it in a plastic sealable storage box.... I talk about it in the making the most of space video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3K9gXumqZiiiJo

[@GoGoHarris]

How do you sterilize compost?

[@eliandkate]

Check out last week's video for one method 😀

[@GoGoHarris]

@@eliandkate Ah, I've just looked and I didn't get chance to watch last week. Thanks :)

[@eliandkate]

😀😀😀

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

👍👍👍👍

[@eliandkate]

😀😀😀😀😀

[@Scott3387]

Coir is a bit greenwashed to be honest. It's produced in pretty terrible conditions (respiratory diseases are rife) with poor pay and then shipped half way around the world on bunker fuel guzzling tankers. Coir doesn't have the pretty pictures of wildlife living on bog or the fashionable political message but I view it as little better than peat, possibly worse because of how it's sold. At least you know what you are getting with peat and the negatives around it. I'd go with composted bark if you are concerned about peat.

[@eliandkate]

Yeah I don’t think anyone is in the dark these days about carbon footprint of coir etc unless obviously you live in one of the countries that produce it. Still, as someone who lives somewhere that has been peat mined (and not just for garden products), I’m very aware of the damage it does, so if needed I’ll always look for an alternative. I know I’m lucky that I can make my own compost and don’t have to rely on either peat or coir or any other additives, I’m very aware of how lucky I am