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Contributed by the BC Growers
Association.
Kumquat's deluxe potting
soil
9 gallons peat moss
3 gallons
vermiculite
6 gallons perlite
1 pound blood meal
1 pound bone meal
1 pound green sand
1 pound
lime or dolomite lime
1 pound rock phosphate
Pinch of boron (borax is an inexpensive source)
Blend ingredients in a small cement mixer or
large barrel with a tight fitting lid that will let you
roll it around to mix the contents. If you have to stir
the ingredients in an open container, moisten them
SLIGHTLY with water to avoid breathing dust as you work.
Do not use more than a pinch of boron. It encourages
root growth, but its levels can quickly go from helpful
to harmful in the soil. Once you get the soil all mixed
you can add some manure tea (see recipe below). The lime
in this mix helps to neutralize the acidity of the
manure tea.
Manure Tea
10 to
15 gallons manure (combine horse, chicken, and cow
manure to get a nice balance of nutrients. 5 gallon
bucket of chickweed and/or stinging nettles. Water to
fill 55 gallon drum. Dump manure(s) in the bottom of the
drum. Add chickweed and/or nettles, both of which are
rich in trace elements, then fill drum with water. Once
a week stir the "tea" and add water to replace any that
has evaporated. You'll need a brewing time of at least 3
weeks before using this tea in the potting soil mix.
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