How to Make Square Foot Gardening Soil Mix - in Real Time

In this video we show you in real time how we make our Square Foot Gardening Soil and use it to fill a 4x2 raised bed.
We use Mel Bartholomew's All New Square Foot Gardening book's instructions for Mel's Mix as our guide.
Ideally you want:
1/3 Compost and/or manure (preferably a blend of various organic sources)
1/3 Peat Moss (Coconut Fibre is a good natural renewable resource alternative)
1/3 Vermiculite (use Perlite if Vermiculite is unavailable)

Vermiculite works like a SPONGE in your garden. It retains water for slow release of nutrients. It also aerates the soil which helps roots dig deep easily with little resistance.
Peat moss retains moisture and provides nutrients.
Compost and manure are nutrient rich. It is best to get a good mix of sources to provide lots of various nutrients for your vegetables.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• square
• foot
• gardening
• backyard
• gardener
• raise
• beds
• mel
• bartholomew
• mels
• mix
• compost
• vermiculite
• peat
• moss
• perlite

[nerdmom920]

Two decent subs for vermiculite. Clay and sand.  Clay retains water but doesn't leach nutrients and sand aerates the soil. If the vermiculite is too expensive in your area, which it is in mine.

[GettingThereGreen]

@nerdmom920 Good point. In some places it can be really really difficult to get vermiculite. We are blessed to have good local resources for organic growing. ~Amanda

[nerdmom920]

Shared!

[GettingThereGreen]

@nerdmom920 thanks! Amanda

[bigmac9310]

what would you grow in these raised beds?

do they have a bottom?

i was more interested in making a soil mix for a level bed as it seems like the plants could grow deeper and stronger. your thoughts?

[GettingThereGreen]

@bigmac9310 You can grow anything. Many great reasons to grow in a raised bed. 1. Better drainage. 2. Easier to weed as there are less weeds with raised beds. 3. Can plan more efficiently to grow more. 4. With raised beds you know what is in the soil you put in them, whereas ground level beds you may have contaminants depending where you live.

Ours just has weed barrier on the bottom. 12"-18" is recommended height. With our mix it allows for stronger plants.

[TheOntarioGardener]

Looks like a nice mix.

[GettingThereGreen]

@XaViEr3520 Of course it's easier, but is it more fun? -Randy

[XaViEr3520]

um i have a cement mixer soooo.....yeahhhh....do you think that is eaiser :P

[BizenDk]

@utubegardenact me too