- Potting soil is used not only when potting plants, but can also used as a filler when planting in your garden. Potting soil is looser than the dirt found in the ground, which often is too compact to soak in the water, or too compact for the water to properly drain. Potting soil allows for both better drainage and retention of water at the same time. It is usually rich in minerals and nutrients as well.
- A plethora of potting soils are available. Usually, most potting soils have some the following ingredients: dirt, sand, loam, humus, manure, peat moss, compost, bark, perlite (volcanic glass) and fertilizer. Read the label carefully before purchasing your potting soil. Some potting soils are actually "soil-less," and are not made of any soil at all, but just ingredients such as peat moss and perlite, which is the white pellets you see in potting soil. This kind of potting soil is often void of minerals and nutrients--so, if you use it, you will need to also use a fertilizer when planting.
- Choose a potting soil for your type of plant. Read the label carefully. For example, potting soils made with perlite should not be used with spider plants and peace lilies. After selecting a potting soil, simply fill your pot about halfway and dig out an area for your plant to sit in. Add fertilizer, if necessary and water. Do not push down the potting soil. Instead, add more potting soil as necessary. You will notice that, over time, the soil will become naturally packed down.
- You can use potting soil in your garden; however, garden soils are available for purchase that are more compact and contain more dirt than potting soils. If you have potting soil on hand, however, you can use it if desired. After digging holes for your plants that are about two times larger than the ball of your plants, add a couple of inches of potting soil on the bottom. Place the plant in the hole and fill in the area with potting soil. Fertilize if necessary, and water. Like in the pots, do not push down the potting soil after planting. Place mulch around the garden to help keep the soil from drying out too quickly.
- You can make your own potting soil. Many recipes are available the involve ingredients you can purchase from your home and garden store. Complex recipes involve mixing superphosphate and ammonium nitrate. Fortunately, easier recipes exist for the average gardener to make. Depending on what you are planting, a recipe may have many variations. For a general potting soil for plants such as geraniums and mums, mix equal parts of sharp sand and leaf mold (or humus). Then add 2 parts loam and 1/2 part dried cow manure.
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