Gardening Tips: Here’s the Scoop on Soil

A quality potting soil will provide good water holding capacity while also providing appropriate drainage.

Soil is where all of the action is. Everything a plant needs is in the soil; it’s the key to nutrient, air, and water absorption. In general, it’s the key to life. Preparing your beds with rich soil almost guarantees amazing garden growth, so it’s important that you spend time cultivating a healthy environment for your yard and houseplants. One of the best ways to boost your soil is to purchase quality potting soil.

Potting soil ranges from low quality dirt, which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid, to high quality, scientifically researched Peat-based mixes. Peat-based mixes are the safest, most convenient and fool-proof soil mixtures available on the market today. When choosing a potting soil, be sure to read the label and look for these key ingredients: Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Reed Sedge Peat, Vermiculite, and Perlite. Choose a brand like Hoffman that mixes all of these elements in its potting soil. Avoid purchasing bags of soil that say things like, “may contain the following,” because there is no guarantee that those key ingredients are in there.

Gardening Tips: Here’s the Scoop on Soil

Consider soils that come with a money-back guarantee so that you can return the merchandise if you are not completely satisfied. Check whether or not the soil has been pH balanced. If there is not a statment on the bag saying that the soil has been “pH adjusted” or “pH balanced”, you may run the risk of buying an acidic or alkaline soil that will damage your houseplant or create an unhealthy environment in your flower beds.

Whether or not you’re working potting soil into your landscape or using it in potting containers for indoor plants, a quality potting soil will provide good water holding capacity while also providing appropriate drainage. This will help defend the plant from irregular waterings and overwatering (the number one killer of houseplants). Quality potting soil also comes with an abundance of organic material so that you can spend less time working in compost and lime and more time talking to your plants.