Tried making some waxed dirt and I’m not sure how it turned out. When I pour water on a little pile that is packed most of the water will role right off but some will seep in. When I mix the dirt with the water it takes a little bit but eventually turns to mud. I’m using about 1.5 to 2 cups of wax per gallon of dirt. My dirt has a lot of clay but I also tried ant hill dirt with just slightly better results. I feel like I’m just over thinking and the waxed dirt will repel most of the water at a set and I’ll be good to go.

So how good is your waxed dirt? How much water can it actually take?

Farmerdan, I use a 10lb bag to the 5gallon bucket of dirt sand mix , you might have a lot clay as you mentioned just add sand to the clay,, ratio I use is 2 parts dirt 1 part sand hope it helps.

My dirt i get has a ton of sand, it’s really just dirty sand I guess. I made about 30 gallons last year a gallon at a time in a roasting pan and would add 4 oz of wax per gallon. I tested it like you did and it held water for several days. You can only keep adding wax to your soil or use a different soil or sand. If your waxed dirt lets any water in, it will fail you.

I'm not as far north as you but I tried making waxed dirt and found it was a waste of time and money for our climate. Peat moss and dried dirt mixed 50/50 works the best for me.

I use 3-3.5 cups of wax to gal of 80/20 sand-dirt mix. Heavy soils need more wax to coat effectively.

I use a little more wax than the directions call for. I’ll keeping adding wax until the water beads of a small handful of dirt or sand.

I just made waxed sand, one 50# sack of play sand and 2 1/2 lbs of flake was. Spread it out on a tarp sprinkled wax on covered w a sheet of clear plastic. After about a half hour raked wax in w sand. Repeated two more times, then I shoveled the wet mix into a plastic sled. Raked it a few more times. Checked it later that nite it was a solid block, should have kept on raking it. So I covered it w clear plastic to remelt it. Wasn’t hot enough will try again tomorrow. The 2 1/2 # of wax was plenty for 59# of sand.

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to try adding more max. I’ve been making 1/2 gallon test batches till I figure it out. I may end up ordering some off F&T just to get a baseline for what it should be like.

Mine is very good.

Don't give up

There's a lot of trial and error in making waxed dirt

I've been making a barrel or 2 every year now for at least 7 or 8 years. I've come to the conclusion that there is no exact ratio. Too many variables. The smartest comment I've ever heard about making waxed dirt is, "make sure every particle of dirt is covered in wax". If I have sifted dry dirt ready to go on a dry day with low humidity and temperatures in the 80's or even 90's I usually am happy at the end of the day.