How to Make Your Own Cactus Potting Soil

Cacti can be fun plants to have in your home. For the most part, they are very easy to care for and maintain, even for the beginner gardener. Cacti do require a special soil in order for them to grow well, which can be expensive to purchase in a garden store. Why not save money and make your own cactus potting soil by following this simple and easy recipe?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Professional potting mix
• Garden loam
• Sand
• Cow Manure
• Bone Meal
• Mixing bucket
• Measuring cup

1. This homemade cactus potting soil recipe is easy to make, and can be adjusted depending on the number of cacti you are planning on planting. For your base, you will need 1 quart of professional potting mix. To that, you will add 2 parts of garden loam, 1 part of the remaining ingredients, and one tablespoon of bone meal per batch. This recipe is for a small batch of homemade cactus potting soil, but you can also increase the amounts of materials used, which you can store in a sealed container to use for future use.

2. In a medium sized bucket or container, pour the entire one quart bag of professional potting mix, breaking up any clumps so that the mixture is smooth.

3. Add 2 cups of garden loam mix, and stir until the mixture is well blended together.

4. Add 1 cup sand and 1 cup cow manure. Sand can be any type of clean sand, such as play yard sand, and cow manure should be composted cow manure that is parasite free. Also add 1 tablespoon of quality bone meal.

5. Mix all ingredients together, until they are well blended. Place into your pots, or store in a sealed container for future use.

[lacurcio]

on 4/22/2009 I always have such a hard time with cactus, I am going to try out your potting soil. Thanks!