So what kind of soil is potting soil? Potting soil is actually not soil at all; it is a mixture or a formulation of various substances, including perlite, sphagnum moss, bark, coconut coir, vermiculite, and coir, which feed the plants. The soil-free mixture is highly preferred by gardeners because soil encourages many types of microorganisms and fungi which can be the destruction of the entire plant. Besides, there are some plants that require complete nutrients only in order to grow, and soil alone cannot provide these. However, with proper mixing and application of potting soil, it can nurture any type of plant to grow healthily.
Some common ingredients in potting soil include coconut coir (also known as human), limestone, slate, sand, and perlite. These substances are decomposed into a nutrient-rich humus which supplies nutrients for the plants’ roots. Limestone and slate are good choices to avoid phytates which inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria needed for plant growth. Phytates are a group of chemicals that inhibit the growth of beneficial microorganisms. And, limestone and slate are formed naturally from the sea and lakes salts, as well as, other chemical substances present in nature.
But these natural components are useless if not combined together with commercial fertilizers and additives. For example, coconut coir is mixed with peat moss so that the two substances can provide the nutrients necessary for plant growth. The mixture also facilitates the growth of certain plant diseases like plant blight which attacks container plants. During heavy rains or droughts, the mixture can help protect the roots by soaking up the moisture and transporting it to the deeper layers of the soil. As a result, plant roots are nourished and remain strong.
There are different kinds of potting soil for various kinds of gardening. And for each variety of gardening, the soil type and the ingredients used can vary as well. So, it is important to know the right ingredients needed for your gardening needs before you start choosing the right potting soil.
Soil types and amounts for each type of gardening may vary. For instance, for an area with small crops, you do not need as much soil as for a large garden that is used for large growing plants. In a kitchen garden, on the other hand, the quantity and type of soil can be greater because there are many different plants in use there. Your garden design can have both permanent and temporary garden areas. For example, you can have a raised bed for vegetables, or you can create a walkway of wetland grass. The size and amount of the soil will determine the frequency of watering, the amount and depth of fertilization, and the overall health of your plants.
Soil fertility is another factor to consider. If you have clay soil, you will need a lot more fertilizer to keep it healthy. Soil that is made of silt will need to be enriched every year to keep the soil working properly. If you have sand or gravel, you can apply some plant nutrients on a regular basis, such as nitrogen. Sand and gravel are better draining than clay because they allow water to percolate to the roots easily.
Soil types and amounts for different types of plant growing also have different effects on the health of your plants. You will find that if you have warm-season plants, such as wheat and rye, you will need more topsoil than those that prefer the cool-season plants, such as sweet corn. For these types of plants, adding some topsoil at planting will provide extra nutrients needed to help the plants flourish.
When looking at what kind of potting soil is best for your garden, you also need to be aware of the ingredients used in the potting mix. Many manufacturers make their own “soil” from recycled plastic containers, but there are other brands that use good ingredients too. Most petrochemicals used in modern industrial production are toxic to plants, so it is important to know the ingredients of any soil used for proffering plants new food. Organic ingredients, as well as mineral additives like gypsum, may be added, but the exact ingredients and quantities may vary. Soilless potting mixes formulated for commercial use are more expensive than mixes for home gardeners, but they are safer for the environment.