Calculate Potting Media Amendments

Calculating the amount of amendments to add to a potting medium must be done very carefully. Plants growing in containers live in a much different environment than those growing in the ground. The ratio of root occupation to soil is significantly higher in containers and thus, utilization of fertilizer nutrients is also much higher. We advise caution when fertilizing plants growing in container media. If you are going to use this form, we strongly urge you to follow these instructions closely.

1. First, send a sample of your potting media to a lab and have it analysed. Make sure you ask the lab for potting media analysis…not soil analysis. (See Testing Services) Most labs will offer parameters on the report and let you know if the nutrient levels in your sample(s) fall inside or outside of an acceptable range. Typically, labs report the results of potting media analysis in parts per million (ppm) of the elemental nutrient. If the lab does not give parameters, you can compare your test results with these ranges.
2. Next, you’ll need to determine the density (i.e., weight per yd³) of the moistened media (moistened media should ball up when squeezed but no water should drip out). Measure a pint (2 cups) of the material and weigh it. If you only have a measuring cup, determine the net weight of one cup and double it. Fill your cup or pint container and tap it lightly on a solid surface to settle the material down to the desired level. Add more or remove some medium if necessary. Do not compress it by pushing down on the potting media. Get as accurate a weight measurement as you can. Enter the weight in ounces or grams (not both), in the Convert box to determine the weight in pounds. Note: grams will be more accurate than ounces.
3. The weight (in pounds/pint, /ft³, and /yd³) will automatically fill the Bulk weight box. Now you can view the effect selected amendments will have on your potting media. If you intend to use an amendment that supplies more than one nutrient, you should select the same material in each of the drop down fields (if shown).
4. You’ll need to calculate how much of each amendment to add using the Pounds/yd³ box. Enter the ppm one pound of the selected amendment/yd³ will add, the ppm reported on the lab report, and the desired ppm (a value within the acceptable range). The result will be expressed in pounds/yd³. Multiply it by 16 to convert to ounces (weight) or by 454 to convert to grams. It’s important to keep elemental levels within the recommended range. Amendments added to potting media must be mixed thoroughly to avoid pockets where excessive concentrations of nutrients might exist. Please understand that not all amendments are in the ideal consistency for mixing with potting media. The more coarse the material, the more difficult it is to mix evenly. In certain situations, it may be more appropriate to surface apply amendments after plants become established. See our Container Fertilization Guide.
5. To adjust pH, see the table at the bottom of this page.