So, what do you think I should be saying about using potting soil instead of soil in container gardening? The truth is that potting mix can make the process of container gardening a lot easier. However, there are many reasons why you may want to choose your own potting medium.
Many people don’t know how to prepare their soil properly and they end up with a pot full of mushy, tumbling compost. This is one of the worst mistakes that new gardeners make. You want your soil to be able to retain moisture, which means it needs to drain well. Using potting mix as opposed to regular soil can actually help you achieve this goal.
The right potting mix will provide your plants with everything they need to thrive. It will also keep pests from destroying them. Most pests won’t go near compost-based soils, anyway. You’ll also have to keep your plants watered often enough. If your soil is soggy, your plants won’t be able to absorb as much water. Just as with the nutrients that are in the potting mix, the amount of water that your plants need will depend on the type of plant you have.
Another benefit of using potting mix is that it can make your container garden look more appealing. There are plenty of different kinds of container gardens that you can grow successfully in a small amount of space. By growing plants in containers, you can let nature take its course without having to worry about it. Just add some plant food to the soil and leave it alone. Then come back and harvest your fruits and vegetables.
However, not all plants will grow well in a container. Some of them will need to be grown in soil, for example, flowers and shrubs. There may also be certain plants that are too woody or rough for a container garden. You’ll need to know what those are before you start planting anything. You might also need to add some fertilizer to the soil, depending on the kind of plant that you’re growing.
So can I use soil instead of potting mix? Of course you can! Just be sure that you follow a system that works for you and your plants. Your best bet is to start off with a small area, then expand if you find that you’re not doing well there.