DIY soilless potting mix recipe

You can grow plants without soil. An example is hydroponics, which needs dedicated equipment to move liquid nutrients around. A simpler way is with soilless potting mix.

Soilless potting mix recipe

You can produce a lightweight potting mix using equal amounts of three components, namely:

• mature compost - homemade from wastes
• coir peat or fibre - recycled coconut husk
• expanded clay ball - durable and reusable

The clay balls improve aeration and drainage. Clay is expanded in kilns to create these balls that are lightweight, porous with a hard outer shell and long-lasting.

The coconut coir helps to retain water. It is derived from a renewable resource. Soak the clay balls and coir fibres before mixing them with compost.

Homemade compost is rich in both nutrients and living microbes that helps improve the potting mix for plants to grow. The compost is more nutritious when made from kitchen waste.

Tip: Use mature compost to obtain maximum benefits. Freshly made compost is immature, and can harm plants if buried near roots. Instead, let it rest to mature into its final soil-like form and be rewarded with its sponge-like ability to hold nutrients and water for slow-release to plants.

Planting without soil

Begin with a base layer of clay balls (to the height of the pot saucer) for draining excess water that can water-log plant roots. Put in the soilless pot mix and your plant. Add a thin layer of clay balls on top of the potting mix if you like to finish with some mulching.

The DIY pot mix can serve as a general soilless growth medium. Adapt it with different materials to suit specific needs of your plants.

For a quick look at growing plants with a DIY soilless pot mix, view this. Happy gardening.