How to Make Soil With a Sphagnum Peat, Perlite & Vermiculite

Potting mix containing sphagnum peat moss, perlite and vermiculite is known as soilless media. It is ideal for germinating seeds and growing plants with roots requiring a well-aerated environment. Sphagnum peat moss is an acidic and sterile plant material that adds mass to the blend. Perlite is volcanic. It keeps particles in the mix separated, allowing good air and water flow. Vermiculite absorbs and stores air, water and nutrients for plant use as needed. Garden shops sell the three separately if you want to make your own soilless mix.

Bucket, 5-gallon
Bucket lid
Water
Bleach
Sphagnum peat moss, 2 gallons
Perlite, 1 gallon
Vermiculite, 1 gallon

Instructions

- 1
  Soak a 5-gallon bucket and its lid in 9 parts water and 1 part bleach for 20 minutes disinfecting it.
- 2
  Add 2 gallons of sphagnum peat moss to the clean bucket.
- 3
  Pour 1 gallon of perlite and 1 gallon of vermiculite over the peat moss. You have the option of using just one or the other. Vermiculite is the better alternative, as it holds nutrients and moisture more efficiently than perlite. You need 2 gallons if you use only perlite or vermiculite.
- 4
  Blend the potting-mix ingredients with your hands until they are evenly distributed.
- 5
  Closing the bucket keeps the soil from becoming contaminated in storage. Fill pots with your homemade potting mix as needed. Moisten the blend before planting in it.

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