Prepare Growing Media

This standard is for those who prepare growing media for planting in accordance with specifications. The growing media may be soil, compost or synthetic media (e.g. rockwool).

The standard is applicable to the preparation of growing media by hand or machine.

If you are working with machinery you should be trained and hold current certification where required in line with relevant legislation.

You will be working in accordance with instructions and specifications.

1. assess risks associated with the activity to be carried out
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment safely and correctly
4. obtain and prepare the required quantities of materials for adding to the growing media in accordance with specifications
5. add prepared materials into the growing media in accordance with specifications
6. prepare the growing media in accordance with specifications
7. maintain hygiene and biosecurity during the preparation of the growing media in accordance with instructions
8. deal with waste safely and correctly in accordance with legal and organisational requirements
9. store and label growing media in accordance with specifications
10. complete records as required by the organisation
11. carry out your **work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisational policies

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with preparing growing media
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
3. the importance of completing the preparation of the growing media in accordance with specifications
4. the equipment required to prepare growing media and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly
5. how the requirements of different crops, plants and varying growing conditions affects the make-up of the growing media
6. how environmental conditions influence the preparation of growing media
7. types of sustainable growing media
8. external factors affecting the timing of preparation of the growing media
9. the properties of the different ingredients used in the preparation of growing media
10. procedures for obtaining materials and measuring out the ingredients for the growing media
11. different methods of incorporating ingredients into the growing media
12. different methods of preparing the growing media
13. the importance of accurate labelling of the growing media
14. suitable storage conditions for growing media and factors affecting storage life
15. the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity when preparing growing media and the methods for achieving this
16. how to handle, transport and dispose of waste in accordance with legal and organisational requirements
17. the importance of following environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
18. the records which need to be completed in relation to preparing growing media
19. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies

A.     identify and obtain the following materials:

1. fertiliser
2. growing media ingredients
3. soil conditioner

B.     use the following methods for preparing the growing media:

1. mixing
2. cultivating

C.     use the following materials:

1. fertiliser
2. soil conditioner
3. growing media ingredients

D.     prepare growing media in accordance with the following planting requirements:

1. consistency
2. moisture level
3. tilth
4. depth of cultivation

E.     dispose of the following types of waste:

1. organic
2. inorganic

​Instructions: verbal or written.

Specifications: drawings, schedules, method statements, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturers' guidelines, organisational policies