A high-quality potting soil consists of some basic organic materials.
A high-quality potting soil is very important to successfully growing plants. While many gardeners simply buy whatever potting soil they find at the store, experienced gardeners know that the right ingredients in the potting soil are crucial. Whether you want to make an informed purchase or make a batch of potting soil yourself, it pays to know a few of the basic ingredients in a good potting soil. Does this Spark an idea?
Compost
Compost is the key ingredient in a potting soil. A potting soil should have decomposed organic matter in it, as it adds essential nutrients. Pine bark is one of the common ingredients in compost, but leaves, hay and straw are also used often. You can make your own compost by adding easily found items like grass clippings, tea bags, coffee grounds and egg shells.
Peat Moss
Peat moss is important in a potting soil because it adds nutrients, contributes to the ability of the soil to hold moisture and increases soil acidity. Use Canadian sphagnum peat moss as it is harvested in an environmentally friendly manner and the harvest areas are restored.
Perlite
Perlite is basically a high-fired volcanic rock. It is important to potting soil because it contributes the important characteristic of good drainage, accomplished by creating air pockets in the soil.
Sand
Playground sand or other coarse sands also improve drainage and at the same time make the potting soil loose rather than easily compacted. Sand like this is readily available and inexpensive and should be a part of any potting soil mix.
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