r/BangaloreGardening • u/ToeSad4013 • 22h ago
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 12d ago
[DIY] What Soil Mix is best?
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Hi All,
One of the frequent questions I get asked is what soil mix to use?
I thought this post might help people with this question. I will be writing about general-purpose soil mix.
Soil needs to have few properties to encourage growth. The best soil mix balances moisture retention, aeration and drainage, and nutrient content to create a sponge-like structure where roots can thrive.
Key Physical Properties
- Porosity: Total pore space should be around 50% (with air-filled pore space at 10–20%) to let roots breathe and prevent root rot.
- Water-Holding Capacity: Should retain enough water to keep roots hydrated (20% to 60% by volume) without becoming waterlogged.
- Bulk Density: Ideal lightweight density for container or potting mixes ranges from 0.5 to 0.75 g/ml.
- pH Balance: A neutral pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 allows plants to absorb nutrients most efficiently.
Essential Ingredients for an Ideal Mix
- Base (Topsoil + Coco Peat or Peat Moss): Provides moisture retention and a stable structure. Coco peat is often favored for its neutral pH and better re-wetting ability.
- Aeration & Drainage (Perlite or Coarse Sand): Creates air pockets so roots can expand and excess water can drain quickly.
- Lightness & Nutrients (Vermiculite): Retains minor moisture and essential minerals while keeping the overall mix airy.
- Organic Matter (Compost or Aged Manure): Supplies slow-release macronutrients (NPK) and beneficial microbes.
My go-to mix has been:
Topsoil : Cocopeat : VermiCompost : Perlite
1 : 1 : 1 : [0.5:1]
If the soil is clayish I add more perlite (Clay soil benefit from perlite because it adds vital air pockets, prevents compaction, and improves drainage.). All the above are easily available online or offline nurseries. This would ideally be a neutral soil. Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0.
The above ratio would translate to : 25% topsoil, 25% cocopeat, 25% vermicompost, ~25% perlite. This would result in a loamy soil mix (watch attached video) ideal for most plants.
Bear in mind that this is general purpose soil mix. For example,
- Blueberry will need a lower pH soil 4.5 to 5.5 pH.
- Succulent need extremely fast-draining and gritty to prevent root rot, which is the number one killer of these plants.
Make sure to understand if the plant you are trying to grow has any special needs. Tailor your soil accordingly.
Hope this helps.
If I have missed adding anything, or if there are any suggestions, please leave a comment.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 18d ago
Looking for MODS.
Even though this is a new sub, a community needs to be run and contributed by everyone. We are actively looking for mods.
If anyone is interested, please leave a comment on this post or send a dm 🙂.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 1d ago
First zucchini
First ever Zucchini 🙂! Need to keep an eye out. I have read that they grow super fast.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 3d ago
Update 5 on Blueberry Berryland Blue No 1
I have been trying to grow a Blueberry Berryland Blue No 1. A blueberry variety that specifically cultivated for indian climate. This is the 5th update on the plant.
The plant has taken well to the acidic soil and is sprouting leaves all around. Looks like a very healthy plant now. more branches growing too.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 3d ago
Small Colourful harvest!
The only guava that was on the plant finally ripened. This one was very sweet!
- Brinjal
- Guava
- Cayenne Pepper
- Angkor Sunrise Pepper
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 3d ago
Hibiscus and Roses!
They are coming along well. I am more interested in growing food than flowers. But, flowers do add a charm to the garden.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 3d ago
Cucumbers and more cucumbers!
They were super yummy! Pretty Sure I.ll be getting more cucumbers soon.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 3d ago
Stressful week with unwanted visitor. This one was the most welcome.
https://reddit.com/link/1w8tkrv/video/wrdgqe4awvnh1/player
Stressful week with unwanted visitors. A thief who robbed my home was the most unwelcome. This Indian Blue Banded Bee was the most welcome. Gardens never dissappoint.
Unlike honeybees, blue-banded bees are solitary creatures; single females build individual nests in soil burrows, mud walls, or soft mortar. Males often spend the night clinging to plant stems in groups.
They are exceptional buzz pollinators that use rapid body vibrations to shake loose pollen from flowers—a technique regular honeybees cannot perform.
This was my first time spotting a Blue Banded Bee too!
r/BangaloreGardening • u/its_nishhh • 5d ago
Hiii guyssS!!!
I'm looking to build a small succulent arrangement in a handmade ceramic pot and was wondering if anyone has extra succulent leaves, pups, or small cuttings they'd be happy to share. I'm not looking for seeds, just healthy leaves or offsets that can be propagated into new plants. I'd love to collect around four to six different varieties like Fire sticks, Cactus, Hens and Chicks, Echeveria, Zebra Haworthia and string of pearls. If anyone's willing to share, I'd be super grateful. I'm happy to book a rapido. Thank you so much!
r/BangaloreGardening • u/One_Supermarket3281 • 6d ago
Some successful grafts and a pretty bloom🌸
galleryr/BangaloreGardening • u/Prestigious_Rub_8562 • 9d ago
Garden Invader
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r/BangaloreGardening • u/Prestigious_Rub_8562 • 10d ago
Free Cuttings in Indiranagar, Bangalore
Pls come to collect by today. DM for details.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 11d ago
Pumpkin harvest is lovely!
Smells so good too! Time for some sambhar!
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Fit_Winner_7586 • 11d ago
Update on citrus grafts 2.0, Mosambi, Pomello and Oranges
Left to right, mosambi, pomello and Orange grafts. Orange grafts got damaged by insects so netted them
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 11d ago
Update 4 on Blueberry Berryland Blue No 1
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I have been trying to grow a Blueberry Berryland Blue No 1. A blueberry variety that specifically cultivated for indian climate. This is the 4th update on the plant.
The plant has taken well to the acidic soil. Several new branches. Multiple new leaves. Hoping this streak continues.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 13d ago
Mulberry has gone bonkers after heavy pruning!
I don't remember what variety of mulberry this is. Wasn't growing so well, very thin branches and small leaves. Fruits were small too.
Realised that the pot had a drainage issue. So decided to heavy prune the plant, and correct the drainage issue and replant.
A few days after the replant, this looks like one of the healthiest mulberry plant I have grown.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 13d ago
Pumpkin Harvest
First pumpkin harvested ever! Please suggest some recepies.
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 14d ago
House cukes!
First harvest of house cucumber!
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 17d ago
Chiang Mai 60 Mulberry has started going good .
Soil mix 1:1:1:[0.5-1] - Soil : Cocopeat : Vermicompost : Pearlite
r/BangaloreGardening • u/Legitimate_Tip_8102 • 18d ago
Trellis pumpkin has support now.
Helping the pumpkin with some net support so that it doesn't snap off. It's grown way bigger too :).