Creating our own mix...

jhrusky 5/22/2013, 3:07 pm

I need to understand something on creating our own mix ...

I have sourced 4 ft3 bags of Course Vermiculite, 3.8 ft3 bags of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, and Blended Compost in bulk.

When mixing 1/3 Vermiculite, 1/3 Moss and 1/3 Compost, is the moss calculation in a compressed or noncompressed form? A bag of 3.8 ft3 of moss is compact, not at all fluffy, so it's important I do this correctly Smile

Thank you.

**donnainzone5** 5/22/2013, 4:02 pm

Please be aware that compressed peat moss approximately doubles in volume when "fluffed."

My favorite method of doing so is to spread it out on a tarp and stomp on it. You may also need to break up any remaining clumps manually. Using 5-gallon buckets to measure ingredients is helpful. Each holds approximately 2/3 of a cubic foot.

Where did you find the blended compost? What does it contain? It's crucial to the method to have at least five different types of compost, none of which should contain peat moss, as that would throw off your balance.

Also, as you mix and begin to fill your boxes, wet your mix down thoroughly in thin layers, such as 1-2 cubic feet at a time. It's much easier that way!

jhrusky 5/22/2013, 4:10 pm

Thank you for the information.

The blended compost is a combination of garden waste, grass, branches, and 2 or 3 other items. There is a local retired gentleman who has been doing this on a large scale all year and then sells it for $29/yd (which seems like a good price). I do not believe there is anything like worm castings or composted cow manure in it so I am thinking I will also get some bags of those to put a little in as well to ensure there is good growing fertilizer until my own compost is ready later this year.

I plan on mixing 2 bags of the vermiculite (8 ft3) and 1 bag of moss (3.8 ft3 compressed) and then measuring in about 8 ft3 compost for my beds. Since I'm going fairly large scale (7.5 yds3 total), I sure hope this works as well as popularized! :-)

**camprn** 5/22/2013, 4:16 pm

Fluff up the peat & measure by the bucket, do not go by the numbers on the bags. I think it's a great idea to get a few more differenttypes of compost to add to the compost blend.
Also, if you have not yet read the All New Square Foot Gardening book, pick up the second edition.

**donnainzone5** 5/22/2013, 4:16 pm

Can you see any uncomposted pieces of material or wood?

I like your idea of adding composted cow manure and/or worm castings. A dash of bat guano also is helpful.

**jimmy cee** 5/22/2013, 4:23 pm

Sounds good to me
I picked up compost from our local recycle center.
Asked the mgr what was it made from he told me, grass clipping, leaves and brush.
After screening the entire amount, I added chicken doo doo, mushroom manure, horsemanure (finished) and a bit of what was in a bag that sounded good.
The added items were mixed with compost to make a third of the mix
Added this to the vermiculite and peat moss.
My garden is doing great, after a rocky weather start.
What your planning sounds good to me.
Good Luck

**RoOsTeR** 5/22/2013, 5:10 pm

camprn wrote:Fluff up the peat & measure by the bucket, do not go by the numbers on the bags. I think it's a great idea to get a few more differenttypes of compost to add to the compost blend.
Also, if you have not yet read the All New Square Foot Gardening book, pick up the second edition.

+1

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