To create an optimal media mix for growing greens, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables in greenhouse grow beds, you'll want to focus on providing a balance of aeration, drainage, water retention, and nutrients. here’s a recommended recipe:
Recommended Media Mix:
Base Components (Volume Ratios):
- Coco Coir (40%)
- Provides excellent water retention and aeration.
- Acts as a lightweight base for the mix.
- Compost (30%)
- Rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.
- Improves soil structure and supports plant health.
- Top Soil (20%)
- Adds structure and weight to the mix, helping anchor larger plants like tomatoes and peppers.
- Black Cinder (10%)
- Enhances drainage and aeration, especially for plants like tomatoes and peppers that dislike waterlogged roots.
Nutrient Amendments (Per Cubic Yard of Mix):
- Sustain Organic Fertilizer: 4 cups
- Provides slow-release nutrients for sustained growth.
- Organic Chicken Fertilizer Pellets: 2 cups
- High in nitrogen, great for leafy greens and early plant development.
- 2-2-2 Organic Fertilizer: 2 cups
- Balanced nutrient addition for all stages of plant growth.
- Granular Bokashi Inoculant: 2 cups
- Boosts microbial activity and nutrient cycling in the grow media.

How to Prepare:
- Mix Dry Components First:
- Combine Coco Coir, Compost, Top Soil, and Black Cinder thoroughly in the recommended proportions.
- Incorporate Nutrient Amendments:
- Evenly distribute Fertilizers and Bokashi Inoculant throughout the mix.
- Moisten the Media:
- Add water gradually while mixing to ensure the media is damp but not waterlogged.
Special Considerations:
- For Greens: They thrive in a lighter mix. Consider increasing the coco coir slightly to enhance water retention and reduce the Top Soil by ~5%.
- For Tomatoes and Peppers: These crops prefer slightly better drainage. You can increase Black Cinder to 15% and reduce Coco Coir to 35%.
- Cucumbers: Appreciate a well-balanced mix but require good drainage, so stick to the base recipe.
This blend will provide your vegetables with a fertile, aerated, and well-draining environment while promoting healthy microbial activity, which is crucial for nutrient uptake. Adjust fertilization rates as plants grow and based on specific crop needs.