Soil Advice for Epic Container Gardening

Potting soil for container gardening is essential to give plants everything they need to thrive. A good potting soil mix is essential for healthy patio plants. We cover potting mix recipes (very few ingredients), reuse of old potting soil (as long as you sterilize), what it costs (you get what you pay for), and how much to put in the pot before planting. There’s a lot to go over, we cover it in this blog post

Recipe for a Good Potting Soil Mix

The best potting soil mix for general all-around use should include the basic nutrients most plants needs. Studies have found that the best NKP or Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium ratio is 3-1-2 (That’s 3% Nitrogen, 1% phosphorus & 2% potassium.) The following ingredients should be used:

• organic potting soil,
• compost,
• kelp meal,
• use an organic slow release fertilizer with 3-1-2 ratio
  • In a wheelbarrow or on a large tarp, put a bag of organic mix, add several shovelfuls of compost if you have it, add 1/2-1 cup of kelp meal, 1/2 cup of slow release fertilizer. The plants will take up what nutrients they need. You can also combine this in the containers you use. It’s not rocket science. You mostly want soil, then add several handfuls (or shovels) of compost to add organics, handfuls of kelp meal and fertilizer to provide added nutrients. Give the mix in the pots a good watering and let it drain until it’s slightly damp before planting.

Remember that not all plants like the same type of soil. If you really want to get scientific, you can check the Ph level of the mixture that you create and check the Ph requirements of the plant. I wrote a blog post here on Ph and how to test the soil without a Ph meter. You may need to add lime or charcoal depending on your plants’ preference. Read the post first because the sulphur in charcoal can do more harm than good.

If you are looking for a succulent mix, Plant Care Today has a blog on a succulent potting mix.

Homemade Mix is Better, Not Necessarily Cheaper

Once you start making potting soil, you can go crazy buying additives. I once had bone meal, blood meal, compost, sand, lime, and various fertilizers. Well, you get the picture, I went overboard. If you are using hydroponics, here’s a recipe for a soilless mixture:

Soil-less Mix:

• 1/2 wheelbarrow peat moss or coconut coir
• 1/2 wheelbarrow perlite
• 2 lbs. bone meal
• 1 lbs. ground limestone
• 1 lbs. blood meal

How to Prepare the Container Before Planting

Make sure your plastic pots have adequate drain holes. Use a 1/2 to 1″ drill bit to enlarge or add holes to the bottom of your resin pots. Soil needs to drain properly so the roots do not get waterlogged and rot. If you use plastic pots as liners for other natural stone or wood containers, this is especially true.

Clean your pots if you are using them seasonally. Wash them to get rid of any insect eggs or chemicals. I was taught to add stones to the bottom of the pot for drainage but this is a myth. It is not necessary if you are using a good potting mix. However, it is a good idea to elevate your containers on bricks or stones to enhance drainage and to keep insects from entering your pot’s drainage holes.

How to Re-use Potting Mix

Potting soil can be re-used especially if the soil was in a container free of pests or disease. If you are concerned about pathogens or insects you can “solarize” the soil by putting it in a tightly sealed heavy plastic bag or bucket for 4-6 weeks out in the sun. The heat builds up in the container and will sanitize the soil as if you have baked it in an oven. If you want to bank it, bake at 180 to 200 degrees F for 30 minutes. You can use a microwave to speed up the process. Heat at full power for about 90 seconds per two pounds of soil. It is extremely important to let the soil cool before using it.

Epic potting soil is easy to work with and makes container gardening fun. Let me know in the comments below if you have made your own potting soil What was your recipe? I love hearing from you!