Why Using Garden Soil In Your Planters Is A Bad Idea

If you're getting your containers ready for the spring, then scooping soil straight from your yard into a planter probably seems logical in theory. That soil is already growing plants, it's there in abundance and it's cheaper and more time effective than driving to the garden center. But before you start shoveling it up, what works in the ground won't translate the same when it is in a pot or container. In fact, garden soil will be far too dense and soggy in a confined space, which will leave your plants with roots that are struggling for air and with too much water around them.

The difference is, in a garden bed, the soil has much more room for water to spread into the ground whereas in a container, they don't have the luxury of space and so packed soil may hold onto the water for much longer and lead to issues like root rot, gnats, and weaker plants overall. There's also the other end of the spectrum wherein some garden soils contain lots of clay, which dries out into a sort of hard brick which is difficult for roots to move in. So choosing the right potting mix is important.

There's a reason why potting mixes are intentionally lighter and airier than your every day backyard soil. Most have been upgraded with ingredients like peat moss, coconut coir, bark, perlite, or vermiculite to help improve drainage, moisture retention, and airflow. The soil you should use in your containers should feel loose and lightweight and never compact even when it's damp. That lightweight looseness means there are pockets of air that can sit around the roots which is as important as water because without airflow, roots can suffocate. Even when the soil looks healthy and is draining well, these issues may be hidden below the surface. 

It's for reasons like this that many people will opt for the ease of store-bought potting mix, especially if you are a beginners trying to figure out the best soil for your container garden to thrive. And there are also different blends you can buy for different plants. For example, succulents and herbs have different needs than vegetables and flowers. So you can buy exactly the right soil for whatever it is you're growing. If you like making things yourself, create an easy DIY soil mix at home. You need a basic combination of soil, compost, and something aerating. The best way to look at this is that gardening from a container or a pot is basically like creating a tiny little micro-environment for your plants.