What’s the difference between potting mix and potting soil?
Potting soil contains real dirt and organic matter, making it heavier and nutrient-rich, while potting mix is soilless, lightweight, and designed for better drainage and aeration. Use potting mix for containers and seedlings, and potting soil for garden beds or potted plants that need more nutrients and structure. The main disadvantage of potting soils is that it can be expensive, while soil from your own garden is free. Some plants can be harmed by a potting mix intended for another type of plant.Garden soil is also much heavier than potting soil, which is great for moisture retention but could lead to problems like root rot if used with the wrong kinds of plants. As we mentioned, garden soil contains bacteria and microbes.Potting soil won’t work in your garden, and garden soil won’t work in your pots. Here’s why. All soil is not created equal. The soil your tomatoes love will suffocate your succulents, and the soil that keeps your cactus in peak form will frazzle your ferns.Because potting soil doesn’t contain organic material, you’ll need to incorporate a fertilizing practice into your plant care. The type of fertilizer required will differ by the kind of plant you’re growing. Potting soil may include a low ratio of organic fertilizer.
Can I use garden soil as potting mix?
The uc master gardener program recommends avoiding garden soil in containers, even high-quality garden soil, because it lacks the aeration that container plants need to thrive. Instead, use potting soil specifically designed for containers. A good basic potting soil mix includes equal parts peat moss (or coco coir), perlite (or vermiculite), and compost. Peat moss or coco coir helps with moisture retention, perlite improves drainage, and compost provides nutrients. For extra aeration, add some coarse sand or pine bark. Mix well before use.Avoid using garden soil, as it can be too heavy and may not drain well in containers. Ingredients: Look for potting mixes that contain a combination of ingredients such as peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and composted bark.Add one gallon of moist, coarse sphagnum peat moss, followed by one gallon of coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite. Adjust the texture of the medium to create a loose, well-drained mixture. Sand feels gritty and clay feels sticky. If the potting soil feels too sandy, more peat moss should be added.
What type of soil is best for pots?
Most commercially available potting soil that contains either vermiculite or perlite (which helps retains moisture and aerates the soil) are good for growing vegetables in pots. Typical potting mixes include one or more materials which retain moisture, one or more materials which aid in aeration and drainage, and fertilizer. Moisture-retaining materials and aerating materials can be combined in any ratio, depending on the particular needs of the plant.The primary ingredient in most potting soils is sphagnum peat moss. A very stable material, peat takes a long time to breakdown and is widely available and inexpensive. It bulks up potting mixes without adding a lot of weight, and once wet, it holds water fairly well.Potting mix is the medium of choice for nearly all container gardening for three reasons: aeration, weight, and drainage. Potting mixes are fluffier growing mediums, which allow water and air to better penetrate the roots in the confined area of a container.Refresh the Potting Soil Or, you can mix in one part compost to three or four parts of your old potting soil. Besides adding nutrients that plants need, fresh potting soil and compost will help keep the mix from compacting.
Can I reuse old potting soil?
Yes, potting soil can be reused, but it’s essential to understand the conditions and precautions for doing so effectively. Potting soil can lose nutrients and structure over time as it supports plant growth, but with proper care, it can be rejuvenated for multiple planting seasons. Like many aspects of gardening — it depends. If the potting soil has just been used for one season and all the plants were completely healthy, sure. However, if you know your plants ended up hit with downy mildew, or other plant disease, you’ll want to either toss the soil or spend some time sterilizing it.
What can I use instead of potting soil?
Soilless potting mixes can replace traditional soil with materials like coconut coir, perlite, compost, worm castings, clay, and charcoal. These alternatives offer benefits such as improved drainage, moisture retention, and aeration, leading to healthier plants and sustainable gardening practices. Avoid potting mixes that contain chemical fertilizers, especially if you are growing edibles. Other additives may include lime to balance pH levels, beneficial microbes, and wetting agents to help retain moisture.