One of the most important decisions is what kind of soil to use.
Some gardeners just use regular old dirt from their yard, while others mix in potting mix to make the soil more fertile.
But is there any reason to do this? Or is it better to just stick with one type of soil?
Garden soil and potting mix can be combined for certain areas of the garden such as raised beds but this combination is not the best for containers or pots, although it can also be used for this purpose if you have no alternative.
What’s the difference between garden soil and potting mix?
Garden soil is the dirt that you find in your backyard.
It’s a combination of organic materials, stones, sticks and lots of other things that eventually decompose and break down, providing essential nutrients for plants to grow in.
Garden soil is ideal for planting in the ground because it’s relatively loose and easy to work with.
It’s also heavy, so it can help anchor plants in place (especially important for things like trees).
Potting mix, on the other hand, is a type of soil that’s specifically designed for containers and pots.
It’s made up of different materials like peat moss, vermiculite, perlite and bark.
Potting mix is lighter than garden soil, so it’s easy to carry around and doesn’t weigh down pots and containers.
It also drains well and holds moisture, which is important for plants that are growing in small spaces.
FoxFarm FX14100 Bush Doctor Coco Loco Plant Garden Indoor/Outdoor Coconut Coir Potting Soil Mix for Plants, 2 Cubic Ft, 10 Pack
So, should you mix garden soil and potting mix?
It depends on what you’re growing and where you’re growing it.
If you’re planting in the ground, there’s no need to mix in potting mix because garden soil is perfect for that.
But if you’re growing plants in containers or pots, it’s a good idea to use potting mix instead of garden soil.
The reason for this is that potting mix drains well and holds moisture, which is important for plants that are growing in small spaces.
Garden soil can be too dense and compacted for pots, which can lead to problems with drainage and water retention.
So, if you’re growing plants in containers, it’s best to use potting mix.
What if you don’t have much potting mix?
In that case, you can mix the two together.
Just be aware that the garden soil will make the potting mix heavier, so it might not drain as well.
You can add some perlite or vermiculite to the mix to help with drainage.
When should you use garden soil?
Garden soil can be used on its own in some parts of the garden, such as raised beds.
If you’re growing vegetables or flowers in a raised bed, you can just fill it with garden soil and they’ll do fine.
When should you use potting mix?
Potting mix is ideal for containers and pots.
It’s also a good choice for seedlings because it’s light and easy to work with.
Can you use garden soil and potting mix together?
Yes, you can use both garden soil and potting mix together in some parts of the garden.
For example, if you’re growing vegetables in a raised bed, you can mix equal parts of garden soil and potting mix.
This will give your plants the nutrients they need from the garden soil, and the fertility they need from the potting mix.
What about using both garden soil and potting mix in containers?
It’s not a good idea to use both garden soil and potting mix in containers.
The garden soil will make the potting mix too heavy, and it will be difficult for the plants to get the nutrients they need.
It’s better to just use potting mix on its own.
Why mix garden soil and potting mix?
There are a few reasons why you might want to mix garden soil and potting mix.
The first is that it can help improve the drainage in your garden.
If you live in an area with clay soil, adding some potting mix to your garden can help loosen up the dirt and improve drainage.
The second reason is that it can add some extra nutrients to your soil.
Potting mix is usually made with composted materials, which means it can help add some extra nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients to your garden.
And finally, mixing garden soil and potting mix can also help improve the aeration of your soil.
This is especially important if you live in an area with compacted soil.
Mixing in some potting mix can help loosen up the dirt and make it easier for roots to get the air they need.
Can a mixture of garden soil and potting mix be used for seeds?
It can but the big risk will be that of disease and other plant based illnesses or parasites that could be introduced via the garden soil.
It is best to avoid using garden soil in the cultivation of seeds or cuttings unless you have a way to sterilise the soil beforehand which will remove any dangerous organisms.
To do this you will need to bake the soil in a hot oven at a temperature of at least 250 degrees centigrade for 30 minutes.
When the soil has cooled you can then mix it with the potting mix and use this as a mixture for sowing seeds and potting on developing plants.
What’s the best way to mix garden soil and potting mix?
The best way to mix garden soil and potting mix is by using a spade or shovel.
First, dig up a layer of garden soil from your yard.
Then, add an equal amount of potting mix to the garden soil.
Use your spade or shovel to mix the two together.
Once they’re mixed, you can use the mixture.
Final words
Garden soil and potting mix can be combined but for best results you should try to only mix the two as a way of improving the soil in your garden – just as you would when digging compost into the soil.
The mixture can be used in containers and pots if really needed, but, for this purpose you should try to stick with just potting mixture to prevent problems with drainage and pests.
