Mixing soils and Sterilization of soils

Mixing Soil

Unless you buy or borrow a small cement mixer or similar type of heavy-duty churn, you will have to rely on your own strong arm to mix the soil. I have found a 16-quart aluminum canning kettle a good “mixing bowl.” In this I mingle the extra ingredients (charcoal, sponge rock, and such) with the basic soil mixture. If the mixture is dry, I add enough water so that it will adhere when I pinch a little of it between thumb and forefinger.

Break up large lumps of soil and peatmoss but for most potting purposes you need not sift the mixture through a screen. However, seedlings and some cuttings do better in screened or milled material.

Soil Mixtures-To Buy or Sell

Of course, you can purchase a ready-made mixture from a large greenhouse, but this should be used only as a starter or in an emergency. Such standard or all-purpose potting soils will not be right for everything you grow. As you learn to mix soils, you may find them an added source of income. You can buy plastic bags in which to sell your own all-purpose mixture to customers. If it is sterilized, it will bring a higher price.

26. For a busy grower a well-organized, professionally efficient work room is more than a convenience, it’s a necessity. This neat layout indicates that Dr. A. J. Irving of New York holds a good work room in high regard. (Photograph by Roche)

Sterilization of Soil

All soil should be sterilized before use. In large greenhouses this is usually done by steam, which is too costly for the small grower. But there are good sterilizing chemicals available. I like Fumi-Soil capsules. Place soil in a metal-lined bin, such as a clean garbage can, and add one capsule to each square foot of soil. If this is dry, moisten it a little. When the last layer of soil is placed, cover the container for 10 to 14 days. Then dump the soil out to aerate it before use. Follow package directions faithfully.

For soil in a bench, formaldehyde is a good sterilizer. Use one quart of 40 per cent formaldehyde to 12 gallons of water to cover about 4 square yards. Do not plant in the soil for about a week. A few growers sterilize by the slow and rather clumsy method of baking soil in the oven for about 1 hour at 180 degrees F. This is not entirely reliable.

Storing Soil

If you must store potting soil in an unheated building, let it stand in a warm room at least 24 hours before use. Avoid fresh manure, it will burn tender plant roots.

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