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Growing in Containers: What Kind of Soil Do I Use?

Garden soil is great for the garden, but what about container gardens? Can I use garden soil in containers? The answer to this question depends on what you are trying to grow. Garden soil is not always good for plants because it can be too heavy and dry out quickly.

Container plantings require a lighter, more porous mix of organic materials that will drain well and hold moisture. It's best to ask your local nursery if they have any recommendations or talk with an experienced gardener who has grown in containers before.

What kind of soil should I Use for container gardening?

"I prefer using a good potting soil. I mix it half and half with vermiculite to help drainage. I also use liquid fertilizer every two weeks."

"You can use any type of seed starting or potting mix for containers, but make sure you have one that contains vermiculite or perlite for good drainage. You should only water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry; if you water too frequently, you'll get root rot and kill your plants before they grow."

"You really don't need special soil for container gardening: plain topsoil will do fine (the key is to add at least 50 percent organic matter such as peat moss). you're planting in heavy clay soil, add some cedar mulch or gypsum to help lighten heavy soil. If the clay layer is only a few inches down, you could try loosening it with an iron bar (steel won't work because it reacts to soil). You can dig out the top 6-12" of your bed to make planting holes for containers." Also you can check the progardenman site for more details with review.

Should I add compost to the top layer or mix into the soil?

"If you plant directly into the soil you use for your container, I'd recommend mixing in about 1/4 volume of compost to start with. Another good idea is adding about 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of bone meal or bone meal to ensure that there's enough phosphorus. Bone meal also contains small amounts of other nutrients that are helpful to most plants. Really, the only downside you'd encounter by using straight potting soil would be if you really needed very rich topsoil."

Do I need any fertilizers? How often should I feed my containerized plants?

"Fertilizing needs will vary based on the age of the plant, how much light and warmth the container is receiving (which will affect water and nutrient uptake), and what type of soil you're using. You'll need to fertilize more often if your plants are in a rich potting mix with lots of added nutrients.

Less often if they're in plain topsoil or something like coco coir, which tends to be harder and require less maintenance. If your seeds haven't germinated yet or anything like that, there's no need for fertilizer until they get going."

"If you choose a good potting mix plus add compost at least annually, you can boost growth by misting each plant daily with a solution made from worm castings and other beneficial microorganisms."

What is the best way to Water my plants?

"Water your plants when they're dry until water runs out of the holes in the bottom of the pot, then let them drain completely before watering again. Never let plants sit in standing water or their roots will begin to rot, and never allow soil to dry out completely." "I use a cup but you can also buy ones that sink into your container once placed at the desired depth with an attached hose that releases just enough for each plant (just like when watering with a hose)."

How often should I Water my containerized plants?

"Hardiness of containerized plants depends on your particular growing conditions; if you live in a desert region, they need watering every day or two. More humid regions may only need watering once a week." "If you're growing with an automatic drip irrigation system, most people use one that makes sure to water the first plant for five minutes then the next for four minutes and so on until all containers are watered. You can also hand water each plant if it's easier for you.

Conclusion 

The best advice I can give is to use soil that has plenty of organic matter. This will provide your plants with the nutrients they need, and it won't cause any problems with drainage over time because you're not adding something like peat moss or other additives that could clog up the potting mix.

A great idea for containers would be to start out by filling them 3/4 full of composting material (like leaves) before planting your seeds. You'll also want to make sure you water your container regularly so it doesn't dry out too much between watering! And remember, if you do decide on using an artificial fertilizer like Miracle-Gro or Peters 20-20-20 every now and then.