| Creating Soil Mixtures |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-212 |
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Q: Can you tell me how to create the perfect soil mixture so my plants will thrive? A: (Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening Expert) Different plants require different types of soil, but there are three basic components you can add to ordinary top soil. First is vermiculite, which holds moisture but won't allow excess water to pool in the pot. Peat moss is light and particularly helpful when you're planting seedlings or seeds. For drainage, you'll want perlite, which is light and creates little air pockets in the soil. When you're potting seedlings, you'll want equal parts of vermiculite, perlite and peat moss. Succulents such as cacti or jade plants, on the other hand, hold extra moisture in their leaves, so you'll want to add extra perlite to the topsoil for drainage. If you notice your plants are starting to languish (and you know they're getting enough water and light), you may need to give them a boost with some composted material added to the soil. Mix some organic matter (it's available commercially, pre-packaged) with your soil and re-pot the plant to pep it up. To add extra moisture to the soil, consider stirring in a few polymer crystals. They gel when water touches them and keep moisture available to the plant a little longer. But use them sparingly, just a couple tablespoons maximum, and follow package directions. More Questions for Jessie:
Q: What can I do to keep rodents from eating my bulbs?
A: The most humane thing to do is to install motion-sensor sprinklers. When chipmunks or squirrels trip the sensor, it sends out a blast of water that will scare them away.
Q: What are the best plants to have to attract hummingbirds?
A: Make sure you've got a good color range, with red, orange and yellow flowers. Also look for flowers that have nice tubes on them and that are large enough so the hummers can get to the nectar, such as trumpet flowers.
Q: How can I get rid of Japanese beetles in my yard?
A: You can use an insecticide that's specifically for Japanese beetles. But, if you have a vegetable or herb garden and you don't want to use harsh chemicals, you might want to look for Japanese beetle traps at your nursery or home store. Web site resources for Creating Soil Mixes: Homemade Potting Mixes From HGTV.com Mix and Match Amendments for Ideal Potting Soil From Taunton.com Soil from My Little Garden.com Books: Healthy Soil
by Best of Fine Gardening
ISBN: 1561581011
The Taunton Press Publications (1995)
63 S. Main St.
Newton, CT 06470
Customer Service Phone: 800-243-7252
E-mail: webmaster@taunton.com Secrets to Great Soil
by Elizabeth P. Stell
ISBN: 1580170099
Storey Publishing (1998)
Schoolhouse Rd.
Pownal, VT 05261
Phone: 802-823-5200
Fax: 802-823-5819
Web site: www.storey.com
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