Potting soil should be dark and porous.
Potting soil is a crucial element for any potted plant, whether it's indoors or outdoors. The soil must be rich in the necessary nutrients to sustain the plant, and provide proper drainage to prevent root rot. Although potting soil is available at home improvement stores and garden centers, you can also make it yourself. There's a good chance you already have some of the ingredients you'll need around your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Locate shady spots in your yard or moist outdoor areas, which typically have the most fertile soil. Dig 5 inches into the ground and make sure the soil is a dark color.
2. Set a 5-gallon or larger bucket on the ground and place an old window screen on top. Dig up soil from the chosen location and place it on top of the screen one shovelful at a time.
3. Work the soil through the screen using your hands and brush off any sticks or rocks left on top. Continue until you have the desired amount of soil.
4. Add water to the bucket until the soil is slightly moist. Spread the soil out onto a shallow baking pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Poke four or five holes in the foil. Place the pan in an oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Leave the pan in the oven until a cooking thermometer inserted into the center indicates the temperature is 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Turn off the oven and let the pan remain inside for at least 30 minutes. Remove the pan and allow it to cool to room temperature.
7. Fill a bucket with seven parts of the sterilized soil, three parts of peat and two parts of course sand. To create a self-fertilizing soil, add in 4 oz. of granular fertilizer for every 8 gallons of soil, and 3/4 oz. of lime or chalk for every 8 gallons of soil.
8. Mix all of the ingredients well using a hand spade, and place the mixture into the desired plant pots.
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