QUESTION : What is the departure between potting soil and potting mixing ? Sometimes I see information online where they recommend one , and sometimes the other . Does it even matter ? Yolanda W
ANSWER : pot soil and potting commixture are terminus typically used interchangeably . Therefore , depart many gardeners to believe they ’re one and the same .
In fact , these two potting mediums are as different as dark and day . allow ’s originate with discussing potting soil .
What Is Potting Soil?
Potting soil , as the name suggests , really contains dirt . There are some cases when it may not contain soil but as a worldwide dominion of thumb , it does .
Because this product does typically contain dirt , it also contains a lot of other things that gardeners may not want . This can admit fungus , disease , seed for gage and other plants , and sand .
Though it does also contain mineral , compost , and organic matter which are things many nurseryman do want for their plants .
Potting soil is also heavier than pot mixture because soil is heavy than other potting mediums .
What Is Potting Mix?
Now , allow ’s discuss what makes up apotting mixing . This type of potting spiritualist is totally sterile . It does n’t contain any fungal or bacterial disease because it does n’t contain soil .
This product includes constituent that help piddle drain aside from your plant faster such as peat moss , vermiculite , coir , and other well - run out ingredients .
Potting mix may also include fertiliser to help give your plants a boost when they ’re newly planted .
When Should Potting Soil or Mix Be Used?
From the lean of ingredient , and the pro and cons of each merchandise , it might go some to consider that potting mixture is the only way to go . This is n’t on-key .
Each of these merchandise have their place in the garden . However , it ’s important that gardener empathize where those places are to habituate the products correctly .
Potting mix is a great choice for any character of container garden . This will allow you more control over what your industrial plant are exposed to .
This is of import as most people container garden to have more control over their plants ’ growing environment .
Potting stain is swell when used for any case of inground horticulture or landscaping . You ca n’t control what diseases your plants are exposed to when they ’re planted directly into the ground .
Therefore , potting soil is a swell choice for this character of acquire method .
Hopefully this clears up the differences between pot soil and potting mix . Be mindful of what case of gardening you are doing to ensure you plunk the right Cartesian product .
Learn More About Potting Soil and Potting Mix
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/homemade-potting-mix/
https://extension.psu.edu/homemade-potting-media
https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/pottingmix.html
