Whether you’re an expert gardener or a novice with a green thumb, you’ve likely come across the term “Mel’s Mix Soil” in the context of square foot gardening. Mel Bartholomew, the father of square foot gardening, developed this unique soil blend to maximize the productivity of small garden spaces. In this post, we’ll delve into the details of Mel’s Mix Soil, its composition, and how to use it effectively in raised garden beds for square foot gardening. We’ll even tell you where to buy these components if you’re here in the Houston area.

The Essence of Square Foot Gardening

Before we jump into Mel’s Mix Soil, let’s first understand the principles of square foot gardening. This innovative approach focuses on efficient space utilization, minimizing waste, and achieving high yields in small areas. In square foot gardening, garden beds are divided into one square foot sections, each containing a different plant. To make the most of these limited spaces, the right soil mix is crucial, and that’s where Mel’s Mix Soil comes into play.

I should mention here that I’m a woodworker, not a gardener. Nonetheless, I wanted to try all this out for myself. I’m already building garden beds left and right for clients. I figured I’d go ahead and build one for our own yard. The 4 x 4 cedar elevated bed you see below is ours.

What I like most about Mel’s Mix soil blend is how it simplified the complex subject of soil. I’m a total beginner when it comes to growing, so this is all new to me. But even I can understand an equal-parts blend of just three media. The results from that season were staggering. We had an abundance of cherry tomatoes for months, plus eggplants and cucumbers!

cedar elevated garden bed mels mix soil

The Magic Behind Mel’s Mix Soil

Mel Bartholomew formulated Mel’s Mix Soil as a game-changer for square foot gardening. This mix is not your typical garden soil but a well-balanced blend that ensures the best growing conditions for your plants. The composition of Mel’s Mix Soil consists of three primary components:

  • 1/3 Compost: Compost is the heart and soul of Mel’s Mix. It’s loaded with essential nutrients, beneficial microorganisms, and it provides excellent moisture retention. When choosing compost, opt for a high-quality mix that includes various organic materials like kitchen scraps, yard waste, and well-rotted manure.
  • 1/3 Peat Moss: Peat moss is a vital component for moisture retention. It also helps to lighten the soil and make it easier to work with, especially in raised beds. I’ve heard there are some environmental concerns regarding the impact of peat moss harvesting. Admittedly, I don’t have any info regarding that impact except that there is some concern about it. And I hear you could consider using alternatives like coconut coir as a more sustainable option.
  • 1/3 Vermiculite: Vermiculite is an excellent soil conditioner that improves aeration and drainage. It prevents the soil from becoming too compacted and allows plant roots to access oxygen and water more effectively.

This balanced combination of compost, peat moss (or coconut coir), and vermiculite creates the perfect environment for your square foot garden to thrive. Together, they provide a nutrient-rich, well-draining, and moisture-retentive mix that promotes healthy plant growth.

Preparing Mel’s Mix Soil for Raised Garden Beds

Now that you understand the core components of Mel’s Mix Soil, let’s talk about how to prepare and use it in your raised garden beds for square foot gardening:

  • Choose the Right Location: Select a suitable location for your raised garden beds. Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. This is essential for the growth of most vegetables and herbs.
  • Construct Your Raised Beds: Build or assemble your raised garden beds in the desired location. They can be made from various materials, such as wood, metal, or concrete blocks. Ensure that each bed is divided into one square foot sections using a grid, which is a defining feature of square foot gardening. Here is a garden plan and design website.
  • Mix Your Mel’s Mix: To prepare Mel’s Mix Soil, combine equal parts of compost, peat moss (or coconut coir), and vermiculite. Use a large container or a wheelbarrow to blend the components thoroughly. Make sure the mix is well-incorporated.
  • Fill the Beds: Fill your raised garden beds with the Mel’s Mix Soil. It should be at least 6-8 inches deep in each square foot section. This depth provides enough space for most plants’ roots to establish and grow.
  • Plant Your Garden: Now comes the exciting part – planting your square foot garden. Follow the recommended planting spacing for each type of vegetable or herb you plan to grow. The grid lines on your raised bed will help you keep track of the one-square-foot sections.
  • Care and Maintenance: Regularly water your garden to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Consider using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for even moisture distribution. You’ll also need to periodically replenish the compost to maintain soil fertility.

Benefits of Mel’s Mix Soil in Square Foot Gardening

Mel’s Mix Soil offers several advantages in the context of square foot gardening:

  • High Productivity: This is no joke. You’ll have abundant results. The nutrient-rich composition of Mel’s Mix promotes healthy plant growth and high yields. The one-square-foot sections make it easy to plan and manage your garden effectively.
  • Weed Control: Because you’re growing plants close together, there’s less room for weeds to take hold. This means less time spent weeding and more time enjoying your garden.
  • Improved Soil Structure: The light and airy nature of Mel’s Mix Soil encourages strong root development and prevents soil compaction.
  • Sustainability: By using compost and other waste that would ordinarily go into the trash, you’re contributing to a more sustainable and efficient garden.

Making Mel’s Mix Soil in Houston

For our garden bed, we used this Black Gold Organic Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss product from Ace Hardware. They appear to have it at several of their locations here in Houston. We purchased our vermiculite from Southwest Fertilizer on Bissonnet Street. They have it in very big bags. We also got our compost from Southwest Fertilizer. We bought several varieties of it. This included cow manure compost, vegetable compost, leaf compost, chicken manure compost, mushroom compost and worm castings compost.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Mel’s Mix Soil for square foot gardening or in any other raised garden bed. Its well-balanced composition of compost, peat moss and vermiculite creates the ideal growing environment for your plants. By following the principles of square foot gardening and using Mel’s Mix, you can make the most of limited space and enjoy a bountiful harvest year after year. So, roll up your sleeves, fill those raised garden beds, and get ready to experience the joy of gardening in a whole new way. Happy gardening!