---
title: ABG mix in a terrarium | Glass Jar Garden
description: ABG mix: A chunky mix of bark, peat, fibre and charcoal made for vivariums. Airy and slow to rot. In the jar it has holds water 45 % by volume, pore space 85...
url: https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/abg-mix/
---

Soils and layers

# ABG mix

A chunky mix of bark, peat, fibre and charcoal made for vivariums. Airy and slow to rot.

## What the simulation uses

- Holds water: 45 % by volume (Water it keeps after draining; the rest runs down to the drainage.)

- Pore space: 85 % by volume (Room for air and water between grains; low means roots suffocate when wet.)

- Weight: 215 g/L (How heavy a litre is.)

- pH: 4.5 to 6 pH (How acid it keeps the soil.)

- Mould risk: low (How much fresh food it gives white mould; high-risk soils fuzz over in the first weeks.)

- Breaks down in: 2 to 5 years (How long it lasts before rotting down to fine soil.)

- Nutrients: low (Plant food it brings.)

- Presses down to: 72 % of its loose depth (How far pressing can pack it, keeping its weight.)

## Description
Developed at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, it blends charcoal, milled sphagnum, orchid bark, tree fern fibre and peat. It drains well yet stays moist, leans slightly acidic and lasts several years. Springtails and isopods love living in it.

Also called Atlanta Botanical Garden mix.

Estimated, where sources were thin: exact part ratios not stated on fetched page; all physical numbers estimated from components.

## Sources

- [joshsfrogs.com/sp/abg-mix-4-quart-jf00504](https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/abg-mix-4-quart-jf00504)
- [joshsfrogs.com/sp/josh-s-frogs-substrate-barrier-24x18-inch-jf00652](https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/josh-s-frogs-substrate-barrier-24x18-inch-jf00652)
- [joshsfrogs.com/sp/mother-earthr-hydrotonr-original-10-liter-hydrtn10qt](https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/mother-earthr-hydrotonr-original-10-liter-hydrtn10qt)

[Grow it in a jar](https://glassjar.garden/?guide=soils/abg-mix)

[Activated charcoal](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/activated-charcoal/) · [All soils and layers](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/)