“When planting, is it good to mix potting soil with earth soil?” Question from Pamela of Richmond, Indiana.
Answer: Don’t waste potting mix on in-ground plantings. Add products created to be garden amendments instead. These contain the ingredients that gardens need, while leaving out unecessary components, like perlite, vermiculite, and other additives, that don’t benefit garden soils. Potting mixes are also typically more expensive when purchased in quantity.
The best ground soil additives for long-term fertility include compost, earthworm castings, fortified garden soil, and Canadian sphagnum peat moss, among others. All of these additives lighten the soil, increase organic matter, water-holding ability, increase drainage, and up plant performance. Some, like earthworm castings, also add natural nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizae, are another good soil additive. They work beneficially with plant roots to help them take up more water and nutrients for better performance.
I hope that these gardening tips help!
Happy gardening,
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
About JESSIE KEITH
Plants are the lens Jessie views the world through because they’re all-sustaining. (“They feed, clothe, house and heal us. They produce the air we breathe and even make us smell pretty.”) She’s a garden writer and photographer with degrees in both horticulture and plant biology from Purdue and Michigan State Universities. Her degrees were bolstered by internships at Longwood Gardens and the American Horticultural Society. She has since worked for many horticultural institutions and companies and now manages communications for Sun Gro Horticulture, the parent company of Black Gold. Her joy is sharing all things green and lovely with her two daughters.
Content Disclaimer:
This site may contain content (including images and articles) as well as advice, opinions and statements presented by third parties. Sun Gro does not review these materials for accuracy or reliability and does not endorse the advice, opinions, or statements that may be contained in them. Sun Gro also does not review the materials to determine if they infringe the copyright or other rights of others. These materials are available only for informational purposes and are presented “as is” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Reliance upon any such opinion, advice, statement or other information is at your own risk. In no event shall Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution, Inc. or any of its affiliates be liable to you for any inaccuracy, error, omission, fact, infringement and the like, resulting from your use of these materials, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting there from.
FAQs
Answer: Don't waste potting mix on in-ground plantings. Add products created to be garden amendments instead. These contain the ingredients that gardens need, while leaving out unecessary components, like perlite, vermiculite, and other additives, that don't benefit garden soils.
Is it OK to use potting mix in the ground? ›
Can You Use Garden Soil as a Substitute for Potting Soil or Vice-versa? Yes, you could use either garden soil or potting soil to grow outdoor plants. However, potting soil is a better choice as a growing medium as it's specifically created to support plant growth.
Is black gold a good potting soil? ›
Excellent potting mix. Used in my window boxes. After many seasons of planting various containers in different mixes including adding compost, I found that using Black Gold mix produced larger healthier plants. The mix does not have a dry feel to it unlike others that remind me of sawdust.
What is the pH of black gold all purpose potting soil? ›
“What is the soil pH of Black Gold Natural and Organic Potting Soil?” Question from Michael of Pueblo, Colorado. Answer: At production, the peat moss in our mixes has a pH range of 3.5-5.0, but we add liming agents to bring all of our potting mixes up to a more neutral pH range of 5.5-6.5.
Which is better, potting mix or potting soil? ›
Potting Mix vs Potting Soil: Which One Should You Use? Potting soil's composition makes it suitable for outdoor plants. On the other hand, a soilless potting mix is a better choice for potted plants or a container garden because it: Offers a good balance of moisture retention and water drainage for potted plants.
Can I mix potting soil with topsoil? ›
You can also make your own raised bed mix by mixing all the individual parts of garden soil and potting soil, so topsoil, bark or peat, compost, and perlite or vermiculite. The best approach, like anything with gardening, depends on your own location, time and budget.
What are the disadvantages of potting mix? ›
The main disadvantage of potting soils is that it can be expensive, while soil from your own garden is free. Some plants can be harmed by a potting mix intended for another type of plant. Also, some potting mixes are not suitable for organic gardening because of synthetic ingredients they contain.
What is black gold topsoil? ›
In contrast, Black Gold potting soils are manufactured using a combination of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, coconut fibers (coir), earthworm castings, forest humus (composted bark and other wood products), compost, perlite, pumice and added fertilizer. It's richer, more consistent, and higher quality.
How do you use black gold compost? ›
Black Gold® Garden Compost can either be mixed into the soil before planting as a garden amendment, or applied to the surface of the soil as mulch.
What is the best potting mix for tomatoes? ›
Many pre-made soilless potting mixes are available at garden centers, but you can also make your own by combining one bushel each of vermiculite and peat moss, 1 ¼ cups of dolomitic lime, ½ cup of 20 percent superphosphate and 1 cup of 5-10-5 fertilizer. Incorporating some quality compost will add additional nutrients.
Soil pH is reduced most effectively by adding elemental sulfur, aluminum sulfate, and iron sulfate, or natural soil acidifiers (peat moss, rotted manure, or compost).
Who makes black gold soil? ›
Black Gold® – Sun Gro.
Can potting mix be used in ground? ›
Soil-free potting mix is for containers and potting soil is formulated for in-ground use. Using potting mix in the ground won't hurt plants, but potting soil better supports plants growing in the ground.
What is the best ground soil mix? ›
The Formula for Soil Mix
To create your own perfect soil mix, thoroughly blend 1 part peat or coir, 1 part perlite or vermiculite, one-half part composted bark, and one-half part worm castings.
Do I need to add fertilizer to potting mix? ›
It's a good idea to start regular fertilizer applications between two to six weeks after planting a container, depending on the type of potting media, watering schedule, and rate of plant growth. There are many options for fertilizers to use in container plants. A good place to start is with an all-purpose fertilizer.
Does potting mix decompose? ›
Yes. Your potting soil might go bad if it has been kept for too long or hasn't been stored properly. Why? Most potting soils contain peat moss and other organic ingredients that decompose over time.
Can I use potting mix for outdoor plants? ›
Yes, you can use indoor potting soil for an outdoor plant, but you shouldn't use outdoor potting soil for an indoor plant. Here's why: Indoor potting soil has a viable structure for outdoor plants. You just need to add fertilizer and a wetting agent since indoor soil typically dries quickly.
Is potting soil and topsoil the same thing? ›
True potting soil is actually “soil-less.” Topsoil is for planting in the ground. Potting soil is for planting in containers. Topsoil is sand or clay (ground-up rocks) mixed with organic materials such as compost. Potting soil is a mixture of peat moss and other organic materials such as composted sawdust.
Can you use garden soil for in ground use in pots? ›
And the soil biology is greatly impaired. Thus, plants grown in containers work best in a "potting mix" rather than traditional garden soil. The physical characteristics of the mix are finely tuned for container growing, ensuring optimal results.
