• Garden
    • Container Gardening
    • Herbs
  • Trees
  • Landscape
    • Hardscape
    • Rock Walls
    • Pathways
  • Patio
  • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Annuals
    • Perennials
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Vegetables
    • Succulents
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write for Bless My Weeds
  • Contact
  • About
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
Bless My Weeds
Menu
  • Garden
    • Container Gardening
    • Herbs
  • Trees
  • Landscape
    • Hardscape
    • Rock Walls
    • Pathways
  • Patio
  • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Annuals
    • Perennials
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Vegetables
    • Succulents
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
 › Container Gardening › DIY Yard › Garden › Landscape › Soil › Soil Essentials For Container Gardening

Soil Essentials For Container Gardening

Joy March 1, 2019     No Comment    

container gardening | soil essentials | soil essentials for container gardening | soil | gardening | garden | container

container gardening | soil essentials | soil essentials for container gardening | soil | gardening | garden | container Before you start a container garden, you need to know the soil essentials for container gardening. It’s a misconception that you can simply shovel some soil from your garden into your containers and call it good. But do you understand why that is? It’s all part of the soil essentials you need to know before you start container gardening. The right soil will make or break your container garden!

Why not use garden soil for container gardening?

Garden soil, though it may be the perfect, richest soil you could ever want, isn’t quite right for container gardening. Simply put, garden soil just doesn’t give container-grown plants all the air, nutrition and moisture that they need to thrive. Potting soils are specially formulated to give potted plants everything they need–and garden soil just can’t provide it without being amended first.

container gardening | soil essentials | soil essentials for container gardening | soil | gardening | garden | container

Soil essentials for container gardening

Here are the essential things the soil needs for a thriving container garden:

  • Potting soil that drains well, but retains moisture. This may seem contradictory, but it isn’t. You need a potting soil that allows excess water to drain away from the root system without drying out.
  • Potting soil that retains moisture has organic ingredients {such as peat moss} that hang on to moisture within the soil. Organic materials inside the soil also help hold onto nutrients so that water does not wash them away before they can feed your plants.
  • Perlite and vermiculite are common potting soil ingredients that are beneficial for container gardening. These are lightweight, volcanic rocks that are naturally filled with oxygen. Perlite doesn’t break down over time, but vermiculite also provides magnesium and potassium to further enrich your potting soil.
  • Look for a potting soil that also contains some lime to counteract the acidity of the peat moss.

container gardening | soil essentials | soil essentials for container gardening | soil | gardening | garden | container

Can you mix your own potting soil?

Absolutely–you can mix your own potting soil right at home. Start with your own garden soil, then add the organic materials such as peat moss, plus perlite or vermiculite discussed earlier, and compost. Don’t forget a little lime to lessen acidity. And don’t hesitate to get advice from a master gardener in your area. This will give you a great start!

 

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Pinterest

Related

Container Gardening DIY Yard Garden Landscape Soil
containercontainer gardeningGardengardeningsoilsoil essentialsSoil Essentials for Container Gardening

 Previous Post

Plant Encyclopedia: Sweet William

― February 27, 2019

Next Post 

DIY Garden Furniture

― March 4, 2019

Author: Joy

Related Articles

Winter Planters

Joy ― December 11, 2019 | No Comment

How To Make Gorgeous Winter Planters For Your Front Porch

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean your front porch planters can’t be showstoppers! Winter definitely has its own kind of

Joy ― December 4, 2019 | No Comment

Gardening Terms: Cold Frame Gardening

Joy ― November 27, 2019 | No Comment

Garden Art To Warm Your Heart

Joy ― November 20, 2019 | No Comment

Tub Tea Recipes From The Garden

Joy ― November 13, 2019 | No Comment

Everything You Need To Know About Japanese Gardens

Joy ― November 6, 2019 | No Comment

Pegboard Garden Storage Wall Every Gardener Needs

Joy ― October 30, 2019 | No Comment

Gardening Terms: What Is Companion Planting?

Joy ― October 23, 2019 | No Comment

Top 10 Shrubs With Fall Berries To Add To Your Front Yard

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Email

Guest Blogging

  • Write for Bless My Weeds
  • home-test

Follow Us on Social Media!

Pinterest Facebook

RSS RSS feed

  • How To Make Gorgeous Winter Planters For Your Front Porch
  • Gardening Terms: Cold Frame Gardening
  • Garden Art To Warm Your Heart
  • Tub Tea Recipes From The Garden
  • Everything You Need To Know About Japanese Gardens
**Posts may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Latest Pins!