Andrew2112
Well-Known Member
Anyone in here using earth friendly growing techniques? I had been planning out how to make my own soil using only eco friendly/renewable ingredients when I came across an article posted on motherearthnews.com that said:
"Until 30 years ago, most gardeners made their own potting soil by combining their best garden soil with rotted manure from the barn or buckets of leaf mold hauled home from damp stream banks, topped off with a dusting of wood ashes. Contrast and compare: North American gardeners now spend more than $500 million each year on potting mixes and specialty soils. How many of those dollars do you want to come from your wallet?"
So from researching this and other websites I found many useful tips on how to get back to the simple and renewable way of growing.
For example: instead of using peat (which is mined from sensitive bogs that take thousands of years to recover) I would use coco coir, screened bark, composted sawdust, or leaf mold. All of these things are renewable and if you are capable they are easy to make. The sawdust and leaf mold can compensate for the absence of vermiculite.
Another substitution I came across was the use of rice hulls instead of perlite. I have seen another user in this site talk about using it with success. Clean river sand is another substitute for fluffing up the soil.
Here is a list of mixes I came across that can be used as loamy soil:
50% compost – 50% Sand 50% coco peat – 50% sand
70% aged fine bark or aged sawdust – 30% sand
I am researching and planning my base soil mix to use with super soil. I'm looking for possible alternatives to mined minerals used in super soil mixes. Anyone with suggestions or information regarding Eco friendly techniques please post them here. Everything from soil, fertilizers, to making your own solar panels or wind turbines is very welcome.
"Until 30 years ago, most gardeners made their own potting soil by combining their best garden soil with rotted manure from the barn or buckets of leaf mold hauled home from damp stream banks, topped off with a dusting of wood ashes. Contrast and compare: North American gardeners now spend more than $500 million each year on potting mixes and specialty soils. How many of those dollars do you want to come from your wallet?"
So from researching this and other websites I found many useful tips on how to get back to the simple and renewable way of growing.
For example: instead of using peat (which is mined from sensitive bogs that take thousands of years to recover) I would use coco coir, screened bark, composted sawdust, or leaf mold. All of these things are renewable and if you are capable they are easy to make. The sawdust and leaf mold can compensate for the absence of vermiculite.
Another substitution I came across was the use of rice hulls instead of perlite. I have seen another user in this site talk about using it with success. Clean river sand is another substitute for fluffing up the soil.
Here is a list of mixes I came across that can be used as loamy soil:
50% compost – 50% Sand 50% coco peat – 50% sand
70% aged fine bark or aged sawdust – 30% sand
I am researching and planning my base soil mix to use with super soil. I'm looking for possible alternatives to mined minerals used in super soil mixes. Anyone with suggestions or information regarding Eco friendly techniques please post them here. Everything from soil, fertilizers, to making your own solar panels or wind turbines is very welcome.
