A Growers Guide for Balancing Media-Based Soil

By: William McKibben

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

From the author of A Grower’s Guide for Balancing Soils comes this essential, hands-on manual for growers working in potting mixes, compost blends, and soilless media.

In A Grower’s Guide for Balancing Media-Based Soils, soil consultant and “Crop Doc” William McKibben demystifies the science of nutrient balancing for growers using media-based systems—from greenhouses and nurseries to cannabis and specialty crop production. McKibben draws on nearly five decades of experience helping farmers and horticultural professionals understand how to interpret laboratory test results and use them to correct imbalances before they affect plant growth.

Readers will learn:

• How to create and adjust growing media for optimal nutrient availability

• How to interpret both standard and paste soil tests

• Why soluble salts, CEC, and TEC matter—and how to manage them

• The role of aeration, bulking agents, and water chemistry in healthy media

• How to troubleshoot problem mixes and restore balance for higher yields

With clear examples, real-world data, and practical calculations, McKibben turns complex lab reports into actionable insights. Whether you’re producing organic vegetables, ornamental plants, or high-value crops in containers, this guide will help you reduce inputs, improve efficiency, and grow stronger, more resilient plants.

This is the definitive reference for anyone serious about understanding and managing media-based soils—written by one of the most trusted names in soil science.