Perlite helps to create lightweight soil.
Container-grown plants require good soil to provide all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Using lightweight potting soil in deep, large containers helps reduce the pot's weight, important when you need to move the pots around. Does this Spark an idea?
Requirements
Lightweight potting soil must offer porosity to ensure that the plant's roots get plenty of air. The soil also needs to retain moisture while allowing excess water to drain. Lightweight organic materials such as peat or sphagnum moss help the soil to retain moisture.
Types
Some gardeners use commercial potting soils in containers. Commercial mixes typically contain ingredients such as peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, sawdust or shredded bark. Soilless mixes offer another lightweight choice, although they do not work well for growing vegetables in containers. Soilless mixes also offer few nutrients, so fertilizers must be added consistently to help the plant grow.
Homemade
Making your own lightweight potting soil mix gives you another choice on what to use in a container. Mixing together 1 part peat moss, 1 part good garden loam and 1 part coarse sand creates a lightweight potting soil. Compost can be added to give the soil more nutrients.
Tags: potting soil, lightweight potting, lightweight potting soil, peat moss, retain moisture, Soilless mixes, such peat