| It may be very tempting to use garden soil, but | | | | different mixes can be brought in for different |
| don't. The reason is that although it's rich with | | | | plants, so that each plant can have the growing |
| nutrients, garden soil does not provide enough | | | | environment they thrive in. |
| drainage and normally carries bacteria and weed | | | | If you pre-moisten the potting soil before filling |
| seed. Even if you feel you have very good | | | | the containers to make it damp it will settle air |
| garden soil, don't use it for container gardening. | | | | pockets and protect the plants overnight. Fill |
| Garden soil tends to form a heavy mass, | | | | containers to about one inch below the rim of the |
| preventing root respiration and fertilizer | | | | pot and press down firmly to settle the air |
| absorption, resulting in strained and hungry plants. | | | | pockets. Place in a well-protected spot overnight |
| Containers require special formulized potting soil | | | | before planting. |
| that provides fast drainage of water while still | | | | You should also replenish your potting mix, |
| holding moisture, air and fertilizer suspended in a | | | | because the potting mix in an enclosed container |
| clean and lightweight growing medium. Commercial | | | | cannot replenish itself in the same way garden soil |
| potting mixes are composed of organic materials | | | | does. It is also good practice to re-pot containers |
| such as peat, fir bark or composted redwood. | | | | at least every two years with fresh potting mix. |
| Fertilizers, compost, and trace materials are | | | | If you are filling your containers with annuals, use |
| sometimes added as well. One of the particular | | | | new potting mix each time you change your |
| advantages of container gardening is that | | | | plants. |