My wife is the gardener. I’m the grunt who digs the dirt. But gardening has grown on me, and now I know not to use the word “dirt.”
“We refer to it as soil, because dirt is a four-letter word,” says Tony Provin, Ph.D., a professor and soil chemist at Texas A&M Agrilife Extension in College Station. “Of course, so is soil, but …”
Not all soil is the same, and there’s a difference between
garden soil
and
potting soil.
Here’s how they compare in composition, cost and use.
Garden Soil
Garden soil
is about $1 less per bag at Ace Hardware than potting soil, but typically you buy more of it than potting soil.
What is garden soil?
Soil is naturally found under your lawn, the result of your climate and environment. The top six to eight inches, aka topsoil, contains mineral and organic matter that provides nutrients for plants.
Garden soil in a bag is different from natural soil in your backyard. Garden soil is less variable and has extra organic matter mixed in, like
compost,
peat, bark shredding or fertilizer.
Generally, you introduce garden soil based on the quantity of clay present,” explains Judy Daniels, CEO and chief scientist at Soil Sage located in Arvada, Colorado. “In cases with significant quantities of dense clay, it becomes challenging for plants to take root and thrive. Alternatively, if your soil consists mainly of sand—which doesn’t retain moisture—you would incorporate garden soil to improve its ability to hold water.
What purpose does garden soil serve?
Typically, garden soil works well for outdoor, in-ground uses. However, not all garden soils are identical. According to Provins, he once purchased 30 bags from one garden store pallet and an additional 30 bags from a second pallet, “yet they turned out to be completely different,” he recounts.
He mentions that often, you come across subpar materials in garden soil,” he states. “I inspect damaged sacks within the shipment; examine their contents to gauge my purchase—whether it consists primarily of additional soil or perhaps a mix of clay pellets surrounded by plenty of wooden shavings. Such inconsistencies tend to be less common at nearby retailers. However, always procure a single sack and assess it yourself.
“If you’re constructing raised beds and require a substantial amount of soil, contact a nearby soil provider and visit their site to view the stockpile; they may offer delivery right to your driveway. For those living in apartments, purchase a single bag of gardening soil initially to ensure it meets your needs, then acquire the remaining quantity from the same batch.” Additionally, consider making your own.
compost in your apartment
.
Do a soil test
Prior to purchasing any garden soil, get your backyard soil checked for its pH level, salinity, and nutrient content.
Ensure you grasp what is required,” states Daniels. “University extension services do.
soil tests,
And you can locate additional soil testing kits online.
Soil test kits
The cost ranges from $30 to $50, and Daniels mentions that the results typically appear after approximately two weeks.
If issues arise during the soil testing phase, they must be resolved initially,” states Provin. “Consider the long-term perspective. It’s much simpler to get it correct from the beginning.
I struggle to express how frequently people throw money at perceived issues in their gardens. Only later do they discover through a soil test that their problem stems from a very acidic environment with a pH of 5.2, where few plants thrive. Gardening without conducting a soil test is akin to visiting a pharmacy and randomly selecting medications for an ailment.
Potting Soil
Potting soil
costs approximately $1 more per bag compared to garden soil at Ace Hardware.
What is potting soil?
Potting soil, which can also be referred to as potting mix or potting medium, doesn’t actually contain real soil. Instead, it consists of a mixture including things such as sphagnum moss, bark, perlite, vermiculite, compost, or coir.
Potted plant soil is free from pathogens and more secure compared to garden dirt. Organic elements like compost or sphagnum moss nourish these plants. Additionally, ingredients such as vermiculite or perlite ensure the mixture remains airy and drains efficiently, preventing root compaction and excess moisture retention, both of which can be detrimental to plant health.
What purpose does potting soil serve?
Utilize potting soil when cultivating plants in pots or germinating seeds, but avoid using it for flower beds or elevated planters. It’s cost-prohibitive for extensive spaces and doesn’t provide enough nourishment to sustain growth throughout multiple seasons. Additionally, since potting soil is less dense, it might cause bigger plants to become top-heavy and topple over as the earth within becomes dry.
I utilize potting mix for germinating seeds of my garden plants,” explains Provin. “The roots can readily grow through this medium, which retains moisture effectively and adapts well when later transferred to conventional garden soil.
FAQ
Is it possible to utilize garden soil for potted plants?
Potting soil is not suitable for garden beds. The extra compost and organic material retains moisture and hinders proper draining within containers. This may cause the soil to become compacted or result in root rot.
Is it okay to combine garden soil with potting soil?
Incorporate potting soil into your garden soil to enhance drainage and aeration, as well as to boost nutrient levels. This blend works effectively in gardens lacking quality soil, elevated planting areas, or big pots to help maintain proper moisture levels.
About the Expert
-
Judy Daniels serves as both the CEO and lead scientist at the organization.
Soil Sage
, an environmental consultancy firm based in Arvada, Colorado. - Dr. Tony Provin serves as a professor and soil chemist at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Program.
