Potting Shed Essentials: Soil amendments and tools

Each season I like to take stock of what we have and what we need in the potting shed. By ‘potting shed’ I mean laundry room because we don’t have a potting shed. I know, it’s so sad.

Over the years I’ve accumulated a few things that I find I need – a little feather meal here, a little acid mix there. I’ve always got Neem oil and peppermint at the ready for pests, and find that worm castings never go out of style – I love adding them to my clay soil for a quick jolt of nutrients.

I have an Amazon list for you here that outlines absolutely everything that I use.

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments are additives to soil for either the season or even beginning new raised beds. I typically refresh my soil each season.

• Worm castings are essential in adding nutrients to all garden soil – especially if you lack actual worm activity. This is the base for any good plant growth.
• Compost is always on hand to refresh beds – almost more important than any other soil matter
• Perlite is that little white rock we see in potting soil. I have this on hand to mix my own seed starter or to pot up any plants.
• Bloodmeal and Feathermeal are both high in nitrogen and great additives to soil. I use these instead of fertilizer for plants that are all greens like kale, or for plants that just need a lot of nitrogen like onions.

Fertilizer

I try to limit the use of fertilizers and work more on nourishing the soil. There are three fertilizers that I have on hand always:

• All-purpose veggie for planting
• Fish emulsion for application on more mature seedlings every few weeks
• Citrus mix for my citrus trees

Essential Garden Tools

As for tools, the bare minimum is a trowel and hand fork, as well as some shears. I have my favorites from Garrett Wade here. I also like to have one pointed shovel and one flat edge.

• Shears
• Trowel
• Hand spade
• A flat-edged shovel, and a pointed edged shovel
• A wheelbarrow
• A large fork

Other Extras

Twine is something that I always have on hand for staking tomatoes or bundling herbs. I use it constantly to make DIY trellises and just for whatever. I actually just got this twine holder and LOVE it so much for bundling veggies up for neighbors.

Redwood and bamboo stakes are crucial for building trellises on the fly – I am constantly using these and reconfiguring them as needed.

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