Making Soil Mix

24 cubic foot batch- good for three 4x4 boxes (each box holds 8 cubic feet)

Here is what we would suggest you buy as a start:
*Two 4-cubic foot bags of coarse vermiculite
*One 3.9 cubic foot bale of peat moss (this bale is compressed and will expand to nearly 8 cubic feet when opened).
*4-5 bags of a variety of compost to equal 8 cubic feet

That will be approximately 1/3 each of each of the ingredients and will give you a total of almost 24 cubic feet of the soil mix.  Since a 4x4 6-inch deep box requires 8 cubic feet, that batch is enough for 3 boxes.

It is best to mix outdoors on a non-windy day.  We have found it best to mix the ingredients by emptying them onto a large tarp or piece of heavy plastic.  Open and mix the various bags of compost together.  Then add the compressed peat moss and break up any lumps.  Add the vermiculite and you can then carefully mix the 3 ingredients with a rake or hoe being careful not to cut the plastic or tarp. Place soil in boxes.

Once in the boxes make sure that the soil mix is completely moist all the way to the bottom of the box before planting.  It holds more water than you can imagine so take a hose to it and add a lot of water.  Dig down and make sure it is wet.  Also it is important to use a well-blended compost made up from at least 4-5 ingredients.