Sep 04, 2023
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There are potting soils on the market in almost any store you walk into, including supermarkets and sometimes gas stations. There are many varieties of potting mixes too. How do you know which one is right for your needs? What are the ingredients in potting soils and what is their purpose? Why is it important to your success of growing your favorite plants?
What is Potting Soil?
Most Potting Soils Contain a Combination of:
- Bark
- Peat Moss
- Perlite
- Sometimes vermiculite
- Sometimes fertilizer
- Sometimes wood fiber technology
- Wetting agent
- Lime
The key is the ratio of these ingredients, PH, and soil porosity in relation to the pH of your water.
How Do You Know What is the Correct Soil for You?
Testing, testing and more testing and many plant trials. Fortunately, I have done 3+ years of testing and trialing to take the guess work out of buying the right potting soil for your plants!
One big key is the pH of your water. Most city water sources and pond water sources are usually a high pH, 7+.
Let’s Go Back to High School.
- What is neutral pH?
- You are correct, neutral pH is 7.
- What is the best pH for most all plants?
- Many people think pH 7 is the best for growing most plants, but most plants like a pH between 6 and 6.5.
At this pH, all fertilizer nutrients are available to the plants. All the potting soils I have tested on the market have a pH between 6.2 and 6.5. That’s perfect...But will it work for you with the 7+ pH water you’re watering them with? How do we at Colonial Gardens grow such nice baskets and planters with such an array of plants, using 7+ pH water? It is all in the potting soil recipe, pH, fertilizer/nutrition, and porosity.
Here is your clue: PlantRight Potting soil is for you!
This is part one of a series on why all potting soils are not created equal. Stay tuned for your next nugget of vital information on PlantRight potting soil, and why it is good for you and your success of growing healthy plants!
Written By "Rockin' Kev" Kevin Keilig
