The 'From Scratch' custom blend (30/40/20/10 recipe)

For gardeners who want full control over their soil composition, a custom blend of 30% sifted topsoil, 40% composted materials, 20% aeration/drainage amendments, and 10% specialty additions creates a highly productive growing medium. The topsoil provides mineral content, structure, and weight. The compost layer should combine at least 3 sources: aged cow or horse manure, leaf mold or mushroom compost, and worm castings. The aeration component can be coarse perlite, pumice, or rice hulls. The specialty 10% allows targeted additions: kelp meal (trace minerals and growth hormones), greensand (slow-release potassium and iron), alfalfa meal (nitrogen and growth stimulant), or biochar (long-term carbon storage and microbial habitat). Mix all components thoroughly on a tarp or in a wheelbarrow. This approach costs more in time and ingredient sourcing than bulk delivery but produces a premium growing medium tailored to your specific crop plans. Test pH after mixing and adjust if needed (target 6.0-7.0 for most vegetables).