does anybody know of a lightweight soil mix (for rooftop use) one can make themself. budget minded.?

Answer 1

Try potting soil 1/3 peat moss 1/3 pearlite 1/3 at garden centers purchace off season.

Answer 2

Some landfills grind up landscape waste (tree branches, leaves, grass clipping etc.) and sell it cheap or even give it away. It's a light weight soil, and the price is good. You could lighten it up, by mixing it with tree stump grindings. You may have to discard and replace whatever you use, because it will naturally become regular soil. That shouldn't be a problem, because black dirt is always in demand.

Answer 3

Go to the nursary and ask for PRO MIX or Growers mix, it is actually dry and compressed you have to water it and work it a little to get it moist. This is the best soil you can get and it will work GREAT for any light purposes.
3.8 cubic feet should cost about 30-35 $ I have grown in this several years and it grows better than any other soil I have used.
Any questions let me know

Answer 4

Rooftop soil mix is a complex thing, if you're planning to cover the entire roof. there are questions to be answered insofar as depth of media, type of plants you are growing, potential water weight loading, etc. etc. etc. --- very complex questions and issues to be dealt with. Research "Green roof media" on the net.. there is quite a bit of info out there.. a lot of it is true.

If it's for container growing.. go with answer #2.. high quality grower's mix is best.

Answer 5

Sensible has a good clue, I'll just add that depending on what you choose to plant you can add Peat Moss to the mix. Certainly you'll have to add nourishment but Peat and pearlite will afford you the least amount of dry or wet weight.

Answer 6

You can mix Perlite into potting soil. It will be lighter and aerate the soil more. I hope you are speaking of using this for potting and not spread onto the roof.