Potted plants are easier to care for than their earth counterparts. They do not require the same amount of watering, insect control or periodic fertilizing. Yet they still have the opportunity to enjoy a rich, natural life with all of the benefits that gardening provides. Knowing what is the best soil for potted plants will help you achieve these goals. By the end of this article you will have a better understanding of the importance of choosing the right potting soil and your potted plants will be healthier and more rewarding.
The first question that should be answered before selecting the best soil for your potted plants is, what is the soil like? This is an important question because it will determine what kind of nutrients you can get your plants. Do you live in a dry, desert climate where dryness is the norm? Then you should select a potting soil that has copious amounts of moisture, and little or no clay. On the other hand, are you a region of the country that sees rainfall throughout the year? Then you may want to choose a potting soil that is lower in moisture, but one that is well drained.
Next you need to know the type of plant that you are planning to grow. Are you starting from scratch or are you planning on adding plants to your existing garden? Different plants require different kinds of soil, and it is important to understand what those differences are. For example, a garden that has a large amount of annuals needs much more fertile soil than one with perennials and cool loving annuals. You should also consider the type of root system that you have, because that will affect the nutrient content as well.
Soil that is too acidic can cause diseases such as powdery mildew and root rot, while one that is too alkaline will make it difficult for plants to absorb the necessary nutrients. It is therefore important to mix your potting soil so that it contains an optimum mixture of clay, sand, peat moss, perlite, or rock dust. Your local garden center should be able to help you determine what these combinations are. However, it is wise to do some research before settling on one particular combination of ingredients, as they may not be the best for your type of plant.
Some plants need more nutrients than others, which means that they require different amounts of the elements in their soil. Also, certain types of plants are tolerant of specific types of soils, while other plants are not. Before you buy a bag of soil, you should test it to see if it will hold enough water, nutrients, and space for your plants. If you cannot find a test kit at your local garden center, then you should purchase a soil tester to determine what your soil will look like after you mix it with the appropriate elements.
The pH of the potting soil is also an important consideration. High acidity can affect your plants by killing them or making them grow slowly. Meanwhile, a low pH will encourage the growth of certain harmful bacteria that can be harmful to your plants, although plants grown in the proper pH environment are often free of most of the problems caused by these bacteria. For instance, plant food made especially for plants with high pH levels is often more effective at keeping them healthy than store-bought plant foods.
Potting soil should not be mixed too early in the spring. Mixing potting soil too late in the season can result in the sudden demise of your plants. Plant roots expand when they are warm, so the earlier you start mixing your soil, the sooner your roots will have room to expand. Also, don’t forget to aerate your potted plants regularly. Air can get trapped under the leaves of plants, resulting in hard stalks and leaf discoloration if not aerated. Just as with soil, air circulation is important for good root health.
The answers to the question of what is the best soil for potted plants is not really difficult to understand once you know what you’re looking for. First, choose a good potting medium; this will be the primary plant bed in which your plants will spend the majority of their time growing. Then choose a pH and nutrient rich potting soil that complement your selected medium. Finally, feed and water your plants well, frequently and during the cooler months. (In the summer months, when the weather is warm and humid, you should cool your plants’ pots before you start potting them.)