John Dromgoole’s Potting Soil Mixes

by John Dromgoole

Spring Fall Rose Tonic

• 8 parts alfalfa meal
• 2 parts cottonseed meal (arsenic-free)
• 2 parts rock phosphate (or colloidal phosphate but not super phosphate)
• 2 parts bone meal
• 1 part blood meal
• 1 part Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)

Thoroughly combine ingredients and apply 1 cup of mixture for each foot
(30 cm) of shrub height. Lightly scratch the mixture into the soil using
caution not to harm the roots. Water-in thoroughly.

This mixture is good in the spring and fall, and can be applied as a
“tonic” to all blooming perennials, roses, azaleas and fruit-producing
trees and plants.

Greenhouse Potting Soil

• 1 part spaghnum peat moss
• 1 part coarse sharp sand
• 2 parts good garden soil
• 1 bucket per wheelbarrow of Vermiculite or Perlite

Houseplant Potting Mix

• 1 part finely sifted top soil
• 2 parts finely sifted compost or leaf mold
• 1 part coarse builders sand, Perlite or Vermiculite

Basic Soiless Mix

• 3 parts Canadian sphaghnum peat
• 2 parts Vermiculite
• 1 part Perlite
• 2 TBS ground eggshells

Article Type: Formula