What is the best soil for container gardens?

Container gardening soil is NOT the same as soil found in the ground! The substrate in container gardens is specially formulated to prevent the plants' roots from suffocating and to keep air pockets that garden soil loses. Your plants need this aeration to breathe. If there is insufficient aeration so that the roots cannot breathe, they will drown in the soil and die.

High-quality mixes consist of three major elements. Peat moss retains moisture. Perlite allows for essential drainage channels. Compost feeds plants readily. Together, all these elements work together. They hold roots: possibly, more roots in a confined area. This is something we cannot achieve with garden soil, soil, that with good intentions, and wonderful soil life, cannot achieve the same balance.

Create a mixture or compost that is your own custom blend for success. In the mix, add 60 percent peat moss to control moisture. Add 20 percent perlite for drainage. Finally, include 20% compost for added nutrients. This mixture works better than most commercially sold products. Plus, you are going to save some money.

Be selective about your commercial mixes. Read the ingredients carefully. Skip products that have unknown fillers. Brands that charge a premium price tend to use high-quality ingredients. Bargain mixes often include ingredients of poor quality. You will notice the difference in the growth of your plants.

Quality soil supports container gardens that flourish. With soil that's naturally loose, roots grow freely. Water and nutrients become available to plants. Disease resistance increases. Your gardening performance will surpass your expectations. Quality soil is the most important ingredient for success.

Read the full article: Choosing the Best Container Gardening Soil