What Is Mel's Mix?
Mel's Mix was created by Mel Bartholomew and is a natural and organic mix of ingredients that give most vegetables what they need to grow. I like to mix mine up versus buying it at the store.
Ingredients
- 1/3 Vermiculite
- 1/3 Peat Moss
- 1/3 Composts - As many different kinds as possible
The compost can be from various sources. Personally I like "your own" compost that you make from you kitchen scraps. Whatever it is I just like to make sure that I keep it as organic and natural as possible. Last year I did not yet have a compost pile so I went to the store and I bought some mushroom compost, and composted manure. My vegetables seemed to grow pretty well.
Benefits Of This Mix
- Very light and airy which makes it easy for the roots of the plant to penetrate and get the nutrients that it requires.
- Long Lasting - Some people have good soil where they live but many of us don't. In my area there is a lot of clay which can make it tough for the roots of certain plants. With this mix you won't compaction issues and it will last a long time. You can reuse it following years and just add new compost/nutrients.
- Holds Water - If you mix has too much sand in it then your water will just drain right through and wont hold any of that water for the plants to access.
- The Peat moss will break down over time and release a small amount of nutrients into the soil.