You often hear the terms garden soil and potting soil or potting mix used interchangeably; however, these are two very different products. For all of your gardening and landscape projects, using the right type of dirt can makeall the difference forgrowing beautiful, healthy plants that require less water and maintenance. Despite its common name, a potting soil blend may not have any actual soil in it at all. Most blends made for potting have some type of mulch, typically bark, along with vermiculite or another drainage enhancer. Potting mix also contains a significant amount of nutrients designed specifically to encourage the growth of container-based plantings. If you grab a handful of potting mix and squeeze, you might notice that it doesn’t clump together at all. This is by design, as container plants can’t grow and thrive unless their roots can move freely through their potting medium. For that reason, potting mix is also very lightweight.
What is Potting Soil or Potting Mix?
What is Garden Soil?
Garden soil, on the other hand, is heavy and dense. If you grab a handful and give it a squeeze, it will clump together – at least to some degree.
A good garden mix does contain soil (technically compost), but without added nutrients or mulch. It is designed to hold plant roots in check. Otherwise, the plant may expend all its energy in root growth while becoming stalled out above the ground.
So, when should you use a garden mix and when is potting mix more appropriate?
Which Soil Should You Use for Garden and Landscape Projects?
As we say here at The Dirt Bag, always use potting mix in your pots and garden soil in your garden.
Potting mix is meant to stand alone, as opposed to being mixed in with existing soils. It is a self-contained product designed to provide potted plants with everything they need to grow and thrive.
Garden soil is meant to be spread around.
Mix garden soil in with your native dirt to improve it. Its organic components break down over time, to enrich and improve the native dirt it’s mixed with. Use it for planting flowers, bushes, trees and even fruits and vegetables in your garden.
When you’re ready to plant, dig your planting hole larger than the plant’s root ball. If your dirt is particularly abysmal, dig an even larger hole. Now fill the hole about halfway with garden mix and combine it in with some of the dirt you removed, plus some bat guano or another plant nutrient blend. Settle your plant gently in the hole and fill in the spaces with a garden and native soil mix.
You can also use garden soil as a top dressing throughout your garden and planter beds. This helps hold in the moisture and nourish the dirt all season long.
At The Dirt Bag, our exclusive Garden Soil Plus blend is designed just for Northern Utah. Dark and rich, its organic properties will give you the biggest, healthiest plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables on your block.
Available for delivery in one cubic yard bags or in bulk, call The Dirt Bag today to order your Salt Lake City area garden soil delivery.
I'm a seasoned gardening enthusiast with a wealth of hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge about soil composition, plant nutrition, and the intricacies of different soil types. My expertise extends to the nuances between garden soil and potting mix, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.
In the realm of gardening, distinguishing between garden soil and potting mix is crucial for cultivating thriving plants. Potting mix, despite its name, often lacks traditional soil and instead incorporates materials like bark and vermiculite for enhanced drainage. Notably, it's formulated to be lightweight, allowing container plants the freedom for root movement—an essential factor for their well-being. The absence of clumping when squeezed is a deliberate characteristic.
On the other hand, garden soil is denser, containing composted soil without additional nutrients or mulch. Its purpose is to anchor plant roots and prevent excessive root growth at the expense of above-ground development. The clumping nature of garden soil indicates its density, providing stability for plants in an open garden environment.
Knowing when to use each type is crucial for successful gardening projects. Potting mix is ideal for containers, providing a self-contained environment with the necessary nutrients for potted plants. On the contrary, garden soil should be blended with native dirt to improve its quality, fostering a balanced mix that enhances the soil over time.
For planting, the recommendation is to dig a hole larger than the plant's root ball, filling it halfway with garden mix and combining it with native soil. Additionally, garden soil can be used as a top dressing throughout the garden and planter beds, promoting moisture retention and nourishing the soil.
In the context of the article, the importance of using potting mix in pots and garden soil in the garden is emphasized. The exclusive Garden Soil Plus blend, tailored for Northern Utah, is highlighted for its organic richness, promoting robust plant growth.
To complement your gardening knowledge, other related concepts covered in the blog include the benefits of using mulch, bark, or rocks in landscaping, the advantages of sod for yards and gardens, and the significance of landscaping rocks in crafting a natural outdoor masterpiece. These elements contribute to a comprehensive understanding of soil management and landscaping practices.
