Cheap vs Expensive Potting Mix (What's the Difference)

Is cheap potting mix different from expensive potting soil? How do ingredients measure up? Gardener Scott compares different mixes and discusses the differences. (Video #364)
See the video showing results of growing in the different mixes:
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[@derekcox6531]

Thanks for this episode mr Scott! I can’t ever see myself forking out 40 bux on a bag of potting soil.😳 In my garden I just buy the potting mix that is the most litres for the lowest price and add my own compost and organic fertilizers in a wheelbarrow together …mix and put it in my grow bags/pots. Granted,I’m not the GOAT gardener,but I kind of think that if the plants grow ok…that’s good enough for my needs. 👍 I actually didn’t even know that there was such a thing as potting mix for 30-40 dollars.😂🤣

[@mylittlerebornlove8851]

You need to have your own tv show!

[@nancysala7769]

I have found that here in the Southwest (Las Cruces, where temps reach 108), Coconut Coir works better than Peat. I was having difficulties with my soil drying out so quickly, and called the local extension office. They advice me to use the coir instead of peat. No more problems.

[@1ugh1]

Thanks. Informative. I just wait a few weeks and then go into Walmart and ask for the dept. Head or a manager. I point out where they have collected some ripped bags and offer to take them all off their hands. He will sell them to you for a fraction of the cost. You may have to be willing to buy quite a few bags.

[@GardenerScott]

Good tip. Most places will give a discount for ripped bags.

[@ASK-yogi]

Last year we had trouble with a sensitive tomato variety and a potting soil, by all symptoms apparent herbicide contamination (amino pyralids). We started again with a test of three different potting mixes and trialed the tests with and without commercial mushroom compost. Surprise surprise--two of the three potting mixes demonstrated contamination. The one that worked really well-Miracle Grow Potting Mix, not the moisture control type . Go figure: The "Sta -xxxxx moisture control" and the local nursery mix did poorly, with the sensitive tomatoes and even some hardier tomato types damaged by the offending potting soils. Thanks to the one that worked, we got to enjoy that tomato slicer variety.

[@mudpiemudpie785]

Was there any problem with the mushroom compost. I use that regularly and would like to know if I should stop.

[@ASK-yogi]

@@mudpiemudpie785 The mushroom compost has worked well for us for several years. This year however it had a lot more largish wood chips in its mix, indicating to me that they are extending whatever portion of mushroom feed stock with other material. I’m going to try another brand and see how it goes. You might get one bag and inspect what’s inside before buying more.

[@ASK-yogi]

On point though, we haven’t seen any amino pyralid damage with the mushroom compost. The trials we did made it clear the issues were with the potting mix.

[@ameenahmuhammad6330]

In off brand soil mixes alot of the time its not herbicide at all. The mix most likely has a pH that is too high. You’ll notice changing in growth of plant, coloring of leaves or plant dying quick.

[@jujube2407]

I do happy frog 🐸 in my winter sow milk jugs...one bag lasts FOREVER for them! Feeds all seeds jugs till transplant! I use your 2-2-1 method with free compost from our town...and add in a lidful of osmcote per container I grow in ( 18 gallons) had some pretty amazing sucess with it! So glad I learned to do it cheaper than those bags! Even stay green will bleed you dry

[@dankisking]

Glad I found your channel. This is my first season as a homeowner with raised beds and having someone so knowledgeable in a similar climate (I'm on the front range) has been a great resource for pretty much every question I've had while preparing them for this year. I ended up making my own mix with perlite/compost/coco since I have some indoor growing experience from apartment living. Thanks for sharing!

[@simplifygardening]

Damn mate, great video and I think our minds are totally connected atm :) A big week coming

[@j.b.6855]

I am mainly a container gardener, not because of a lack of space. My garden is about 25'x400' after this years expansion. The reason is I have an underground petroleum pipe that runs under the back of my backyard. I just dont want to take any chances. That being said I would go broke quickly buying potting soil. You can make a high quality mix at half the price of the cheap bags. If you are going to buy a bag, my advice is to avoid any Schults brand bags. They are nothing but wood chips and stones.

[@zinnia3190]

After buying bulk compost from a local nursery, I found it to be lacking nutrients and full of a lot of sticks. Couldn't even get radishes to grow in the stuff! Fortunately my new beds were quickly settling, so I was going to have to add more soil anyway. I have always used Fox Farms Ocean Forest in my pots, so I bought several bags and mixed it with the nursery compost, along with a little aged manure, peat, and vermiculite. I also throw a small handful of Fox Farms Jump start fertilizer in my planting holes. What a difference! Garden is looking lush.

[@FC-cz6zd]

After 4 years of frustration, I think I've finally found a soil recipe/fertilizer regiment that grows strong plants in my hot and humid Florida environment. Thanks for another great video👍

[@redcapote4760]

Do tell. I'm in Florida also and about to start getting into it.

[@FC-cz6zd]

@@redcapote4760 I wish I could but very difficult in a YT comment due to the amount of variables involved. Do some research cause, depending where you are, FL can be a real challenge.

[@redcapote4760]

@@FC-cz6zd 🙄 Thanks for not even giving a simple idea of what you do. Back to your top secret soil.

[@FC-cz6zd]

@@redcapote4760 Not top secret at all but glad I didn't due to your snarky comment.

[@redcapote4760]

@@FC-cz6zd My snarkiness came from your complete lack of help in the first place. Really how hard would it have been to mention anything at all to assist someone? Typical gatekeeping.

[@shineyrocks390]

If you've ever opened up a bag of potting soil that it chocked full of termites you'll think twice, that's for sure. I use ocean forest and or happy frog. I've never had an issue ever.

[@Gkrissy]

I would be terrified if I ever saw termites in potting soil.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

Never found termites but just a few weeks ago I opened a small bag of potting soil and there was a swarm of fungus gnats. I shut the bag pretty quickly but a few got out. I was not happy since I opened the bag in the house.

[@sanctifiedbytruth6048]

I bought a Miracle Grow mix last year and got aphids and mites on my pepper plants, but the mix was not specifically for seed starts or indoor use... lesson learned. This year I started with Miracle Grow’s Indoor potting mix and got algae/fungal growth. It didn’t kill my peppers but I just found it harder to avoid with the Miracle Grow. I ordered Johnny’s Selected Seeds seed starting mix and though it’s not 100% sterilized for indoor use, I went ahead and tested out several different bags. All the bags were great and I didn’t get any pests from their soil. I paid a bundle for them though 😆 Also I had good success with Promix. I’ll definitely try saving money and making my own next year with your video 👏

[@matthewjbauer1990]

The Sta-Green and Vigoro potting mixes gave me algae and fungal growth, mainly the Sta-Green. I found out that my issue was too much water, not the type of soil. Once I cut back my watering, problem solved.

[@brianseybert2189]

Just spent the last two days filling grow bags. Replacing my straw bale gardens with grow bags this year. My bags range from 5 to 25 gallon. Thought I had plenty of compost and leaf mold in reserve, ran out pretty quickly. So I had to buy a couple bags of peat and what ever potting mix on sale at Costco. All I did was mix it with some extra soil from a couple different established beds and some native soil. I will use worm castings generously when planting and all my plants were started with mycorrhizal fungi except the brassicas I stuck multiple air tubes in my winter compost this year. Did not have any finished compost but literally, thousands of worms. The center of the bin was mostly broken down. I segregated the materials and harvested tons of worms. I took the most decomposed material from the winter compost and gave a good 2" covering and a real solid dose of native earth worms to the bags. I will not be planting into these bags for at least 3 weeks to give everybody a chance to get to know each other. I know I will need to fertilize, but that is what the comfrey tea is for. First time growing in containers, going to try and produce a natural soil, wish me luck.

[@olddaddie5645]

I've been adding the mycorrhiza to my seed starts with pretty good results. Why did you skip the mycorrhiza on your brassicas?

[@brianseybert2189]

@@olddaddie5645 Brassicas do not form relationships with mycorrhizal fungi.

[@GardenerScott]

Lots of work. Good luck.

[@brianseybert2189]

@@GardenerScott Six 25 gallon bags, six 15 gallon bags and four 5 gallon bags done so far. Only three 25 gallon and three 15 gallon bags to go. Actually it goes pretty quickly when you have all the ingredients laid out. The 25 gallon ones are a bugger to move. Love working in the garden, I consider it a labor of love.

[@pchelloo]

A KZbinr called Leadfarmer73 recently reported finding TERMITES in the cheaper versions of garden soil he had purchased. He showed all viewers the termites in the bagged soil and also let us know how this could turn into an extremely expensive problem for homeowners. Keep Your Eyes Sharp!!!

[@andyp.4205]

I use the Happy Frog where I live in Upstate NY, $22.99 a bag here. I sift the Happy Frog when I pot up my pepper seedlings, then add more worm castings to it and a few tablespoons of azomite. My pepper plants look amazing.

[@kbjerke]

I've been using (in Canada) the Pro Mix brand of premium potting soil for herbs and vegetables, and as I grow almost exclusively in containers, it has worked very well for me. There is the occasional bit of "forest product" that I toss out while cultivating my raised bed, but it does seem to provide a very nutrient rich environment for my vegetables! The slow release fertilizer pellets that are included are green, for some reason. They really stand out! And already, in my VegePod, I have Scotch Kale and Cauliflower springing to the surface!! Thanks for the video!

[@susanbackes4651]

Just picked up some Happy Frog today (and a bag of Organic Mechanics). Used Pro-mix BX last year and my peppers were so-so (tomatoes and herbs were ok. And I added worm castings and garden-tone)

[@jwstanley2645]

I appreciate all your videos. You know what you are talking about, and you organize your presentations well. So, thanks Gardener Scott.

[@suffolkshepherd]

I have been reading "Forrest Products" in so much today. I was wondering what it was. Thanks for answering.

[@willardmurphy5510]

As always a very thorough, informative comparison of potting mixes. I truly learn something every time I watch your videos. Excellent information. Thank you for excellent teaching!

[@erikpearson5310]

This was an excellent analysis Scott. I love these type of comparison videos and I learned a lot from it.

[@Rohvannyn]

Great tips as always, I appreciate getting to see different kinds of soils side by side. Very useful!

[@bobcatbigpaws5597]

I use burbee organic potting mix and add some humus to it. Great results with my plants. Compost is good to add to your mix. Find this at tractor supply. I add shake and feed to it. My plants take off.

[@russellharris5314]

great info, always wanted to know what the other more expensive brands are like but I can never justify the price. I tend to mix manure + dirt cheap compost together then add in ash, ground egg shells, fertilizer and perlite.

[@braywhitjas]

This is only my second time watching this channel and all I’m getting is like the. Gardening Bob Ross!😅 I love it 😍subscribed!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Braylyn. Welcome to the channel!

[@carolynsteele5116]

The potting mix at my Costco is $7.99 for 50 quarts, uses yucca/coir, materials from landfills, and compost as the fertilizer. It works beautifully for my seedlings and potted plants. I occasionally pick out bits of wood for tiny plants.

[@LeverActionLarry]

I made the Gardener Scott potting mix and seed starter mix this year and both have worked out great! 👍🏼

[@amandavhb1630]

I use fox farm ocean forest for my flower containers (I got it at $15 here this year) but use PNW soil conditioner (from lowes) and native top soil in my raised beds along with lasagna composting. I loved this comparison and love the idea of low end for seed starts, etc.

[@jenjoy4353]

I used the fox farm for potting up my small seedlings from their seed raising mix. It was too chunky and retained moisture too well and I got some leaf drop. I’m sure it will be good for bigger plants in pots outside, but I needed to make a finer mix for the seedlings.

[@umiluv]

I would really appreciate a video on how to make soil without relying on buying stuff. I’ve seen using leaf mold and compost in the comments. But how do you replace perlite naturally?

[@GardenerScott]

I have leaf mold that should be ready soon and I'll have a video discussing that as an alternative.

[@umiluv]

@@GardenerScott - thank you! Look forward to the video!

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Like anything else you buy, it's best to do your research. You get what you pay for. This was very informative. Cheers, Scott! ✌️

[@paulettelamont848]

Very informative and well put together ❤

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You for this great information on potting mediums. I dislike that the companies charge so much for so little fertilizer in the product. I prefer to have a potting mix without fertilizer and add my own. It will be interesting to see the results of your experiments with the different soils.

[@ejfishes7610]

I mostly make my own potting mix using your formula (thank you!). I did add an organic slow release fertilizer into my mix and seems to do really well! Have a great weekend! Eric

[@matthewjbauer1990]

I make my own mix when filling my pots. I do Evergreen topsoil (cheapest) from Lowes and Vigoro potting mix from Home Depot (cheapest). I have a Home Depot and a Lowes 2 minutes from my house, so this works. 2/3 of the pot gets topsoil and the remainder of the pot gets the potting mix. Saves money and has worked well for me for years. I do amend the soil with Miracle Gro shake in fertilizer for fruits and vegetables. Once a month, I water in the powdered Miracle Gro for fruits and vegetables.

[@thumbelinasgrace]

Thank you for this information. I've been confused about some of the bagged options. We are working to expand our garden space. Hopefully, next year will be the year for large raised beds. I am so grateful for your videos! 🌻

[@marygrott8095]

I do a mix of cheap potting mix and Happy Frog for my flower containers.

[@stanleymcrae5952]

I use the cheap stuff with organic granular fertilizer. Great results! No need to buy the "premium" stuff. We've all seen those volunteer plants grow lavishly through cracks in concrete.

[@barbarahenn-pander5872]

As always, the devil is in the details. Thank you for this thoughtful In-depth analysis. Awesome!!

[@jnorth3341]

I've been using the Maricle-Gro for the last few years in container gardening. Last fall I shook out all my soil and stored it in a big container to try and add some more compost and fertilizer this spring so I don't have to spend quite so much. We'll see how it works. No good natural soil up here, being in zone 2 doesn't make things easy on growing.

[@nancylargent6203]

I sure do appreciate your informative videos!

[@anidnmeno]

_walks into farmers' supply_ AYE, Y'ALL GOT THE BOMB!?

[@ericlivingston8027]

The Costco price on that Miracle Grow moisture retaining mix makes that 40 dollars seem even more steep. I think the Miracle Grow mix is 8 dollars at Costco right now. I used to go with the more expensive potting mixes but have since either gone with cheap potting mixes where I can add fertilize over time or making my own potting mix. I got certain trees before soil was on sale at Costco so I just used a mixture on peat moss, a half a bag of perlite and some Osmocote fertilizer. That mix has worked pretty well. Since it was 11 dollars a bale of peat moss my 100 gallon pots were 44 dollars for 100 gallons, Osmocote is cheap because it lasts for years with the six month feeding cycle and perlite was 17 dollars or so.

[@brianramsey3824]

Went went with the stay green to pot up with this year...it looked pretty good as a stand alone I wasn't worried since I knew I would amend anyways

[@JoeBlack14]

This year I used Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil which cost me about 15 dollars for 2 cubic feet. Usually I go with the cheap Kellogs or Miracle grow. The difference is very noticeable with my seed starts. Usually my plants are struggling after 2 or 3 weeks from sprouting, so I have to add some fertilizer. This year my seedlings are growing vigorously, are dark green, and much larger than ever before. The dark black color of the Ocean Forest and decayed materials are a very noticeable difference to the cheap stuff. There wasn't any plastic or glass either, which I usually get in any miracle grow product. I think I will be using Ocean Forest every year to start my seeds and replenish my pots.

[@katjoy9921]

That is a great organic product. Also good to mix into a starter mix that you like to add some nutrients.

[@pilsplease7561]

Kellogs is the best overall, everything grows better in it and its higher quality.

[@JoeBlack14]

@@pilsplease7561 Kellogs is one of the cheapest brands and the quality is not great. I used to use it before I found Ocean Forest. It is like comparing Miracle Grow to Neptunes Harvest. Like comparing top soil to living soil. To each his own.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@JoeBlack14 Not at all, its middle of the road cost and quality wise. Miracle grow is the absolute cheapest. Ironically the cheap potting soil from Home Depot The store brand is equal to the stuff i make from scratch same ingredients same texture and they actually put out a very good potting soil for the price.

[@paulettelamont848]

informative and well put rogether. ❤

[@jordanmarieorganics]

Great comparison video. Well done!

[@dragonmammma]

For houseplants, you can't beat Happy Frog, it's the perfect texture. For outside when I need larger quantities, I'll use something cheaper (but always organic) but I'll still fill the planting hole with Happy Frog. Also, Happy Frog is made by a company called Fox Farm, and all of their products are wonderful.

[@jmuench420]

Michigan Made Mix (M3 mix) is something similar to The Bomb mix for anyone in or around Michigan.

[@cliveburgess4128]

Good comparison, thanks!

[@nicolepapole]

Very cool. I'm a bit of a soil snob. Love FoxFarm products myself. I can get that 2 cu. ft. bag for $14 locally! It's great! I won't use Miracle Gro or synthetics in my garden. They don't support nature and kill off beneficial bacteria.

[@Octoschizare]

How exactly does Miracle Gro kill beneficial bacteria?! I don't see how that can be correct; sounds like internet blogger nonsense and not science. They don't add pesticides or any other chemicals that can sterilize like bleach, alcohol, or other solvents.

[@nicolepapole]

@@Octoschizare Plenty of actual scientific research that shows how artificial nutrients don't support beneficial bacteria and throws soil balance. Feel free to look it up. And if you want to believe otherwise, you're welcome to. But remember Miracle Gro is a Monsanto company as well, I wouldn't even buy their organic stuff.

[@Octoschizare]

Yeah, I don't think that's accurate either. especially the Monsanto-phobia. Farmers use their products all the time and they're career gardeners whose well-being depends on gardening success. Perhaps you should confirm the legitimacy of your own sources before believing. Either way, what you just said is quite different from your first claim that the product KILLS beneficial bacteria. A more fair claim might be something like "perhaps it doesn't have the decaying organic matter that allows bacteria to thrive", which by the way does not mean that it is an ineffective growing medium for plants. Also by qualifying "beneficial" bacterial, you are implying that it doesn't prevent "harmful" bacterial in the same way and somehow specifically targets eliminating beneficial bacteria.

[@nicolepapole]

@@Octoschizare Lol Science is on my side my friend. My child literally said the other day at a social gathering "all she does is read studies." Far from accurate alas, you have people who read science and know the scientific method and then those who "believe" in science. Thankfully I believe in freedom. Enjoy your Miracle Gro!

[@Octoschizare]

@@nicolepapole It's not lost on me that instead of arguing against what I said, you just tried to dodge it and claim some kind of intellectual superiority, which is the "argument from authority" fallacy. But since that's the level you want to play at, I'll disclose that I work in science at a university, but please tell me more about how I don't know science or the scientific method just because I haven't been suckered by the organic lobby into believing the chemophobia and pseudoscience that is rampant in the public opinion of agriculture, biotechnology, and hobby gardening. This article is highly relevant here: "Why People Oppose GMOs Even Though Science Says They Are Safe". The article is freely available from the Scientific American link that will come up at the top of the search. Also, this, about a survey by the Pew Research Center of the public and of members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which found that out of all "controversial" science topics, GMO has the biggest difference between the understanding of the scientific community versus public opinion. Not even climate change, vaccinations, or evolution has as big of a gulf. pewresearch "dot" org /fact-tank/2015/01/29/5-key-findings-science/ There are many other papers out there on this topic of how badly the public gets it wrong about the science of agriculture, biotechnology, etc. If you were as scientifically objective as you claim, you wouldn't dismiss Miracle Gro just because it comes from Monsanto, which is basically fear-mongering and a guilt-by-association fallacy. You also wouldn't have worded your first post so clumsily as to suggest that Miracle Gro actively kills bacteria either. Scientists are more careful than to make absurd claims like that. Anyway, back to soils, the composition matters far less than you think, if you think that you need to buy those overpriced organic gimmick brands. Plants just aren't that excessively sensitive, and there is no care about the origins of the NPK and other nutrients, as long as the plant gets what it needs, it works fine, regardless of whether the source is from chemical fertilizer, or worm castings, or compost, or organic scammy products. I've had beautiful gardening results with Miracle Gro and also with even cheaper soil, which is anecdotal, but still, it's popular for a reason, and it definitely doesn't produce a sickly garden or toxic food like you would probably love to believe.

[@KristiContemplates]

Garden Basics 25L Potting Mix for about $4AUD/bag. I'm in a rental, so I'm no fussed. 3 years later, strawberries still kicking on

[@copperridgegrow3940]

I’ve been vegetable and flower gardening for 35 years. Good compost, rain or natural spring water and the sun are all you need to produce a beautiful garden. I’ve gardened in many different ways over the years and this is the best way and also the cheapest. I have cattle and pile manure up all summer, let it compost then spread it on my garden plots. You need to know the source of the compost. I put up my own hay and do not spray or fertilize my hayfield. Be aware that many farmers do. Don’t use this type of manure. Make sure the source of the compost is clean and your good

[@mariangie1544]

Thanks, the information is very good

[@Paula_T]

Hey Scott, I hope you will be doing a controlled trial using these mixes (and your own) growing out a couple of types of veg, since you have the materials at hand. Should be very interesting. I'm not a fan of fancy mixes myself, not into the hype. I tend to use miracle grow and my own abundant horse manure... Of course I've been doing this for 50 years and still old school, and can get MG for $8 on sale in the spring ;). I do throw in some myco if I remember to.

[@GardenerScott]

I am planning a trial, as controlled as I can. Expect to see that at the end of the season.

[@bigoljoe1829]

I can't speak to other brands, but I know that I am stopping use of Kelloggs mixes in my garden. The "forest products" are getting to be a bigger and bigger part of the mix and my plants have been performing very poorly in it as a result. The last bags I bought were nearly indistinguishable from a bag of mulch. It was primarily made up of huge chunks of wood. I let it sit in a big covered pile over fall and winter and this year I bought bags of compost and peat. Mixed those in with blood and bone and the plants are actually thriving this year. For all the effort and money I spent getting their mix into a usable state I could have sprung for the Fox Farm and been in a better place right now than I am. But at least Im learning more about what makes good potting soil

[@lorindav5549]

Thank you for looking at each variety. Very interesting. Last year a Walmart was clearancing off Miracle Gro moisture control, $.025 a bag. We bought 1-1/2 pallets. I've been filling mineral tubs and planting veg & such in them until we finish building raised garden beds. Everything planted seems to be doing well so far. Now if I can just keep the squirrels out. Grrr...

[@michaelvittori8525]

Preventing squirrels from digging up newly planted seeds and seedlings is my biggest garden challenge. I now surround a them with hardware cloth, then stretch tulle across the top and attach with clothespins. Once the plants grow tall enough, I remove the tulle and leave the hardware cloth in place. It has worked very well so far.

[@matthewjbauer1990]

@@michaelvittori8525 Just wait till something comes along and destroys the hardware cloth. I had a hardware cloth cage 4 sides + top and gophers/groundhogs found a way to bend up a side of the cage and get in at my containers. I ended up getting a cheap hoop house with plastic cover from Amazon and strapping it down and so far so good... This might be my best season yet.

[@michaelvittori8525]

@@matthewjbauer1990 I'm glad you found a solution to your problem. I've been successfully using hardware cloth for three years now, but there aren't any gophers or groundhogs here either.

[@mudpiemudpie785]

Stay Green was the worst potting mix I ever bought. It was basically only a bag of mulch. Thankfully I was making a hugelkultur bed and I was able to put it down there with the logs.

[@frankcoleman1682]

Would have loved to see how buildasoil's mixes stack up against this stuff, another great educational channel here on KZbin. Great video regardless though, thanks!

[@vickirickman9373]

Thank you!!

[@HavaWM]

I actively avoid peat moss bc it is not a renewable resource. I don’t garden so I can hurt the earth; I want to make the world better, not worse! I recently needed to buy some potting soil and spent most of my time wandering around, looking for anything that didn’t have peat moss in it. That was a lot harder than I expected, but I finally found some. When I make my own mix, I use coconut coir, perlite, ground-up egg shells from my chickens, and composted manure from a local farm. It seems to work just fine, and is waaaayyy cheaper. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@pilsplease7561]

Peat moss is a renewable resource coir is not and coir also generates horrible enviromental damage and pollution peat grows back in as little as 5 years

[@dustyflats3832]

Thanks for the comparison. I would think coco coir would be cheaper. I know Miracle Grow has always done well. I will not purchase a block of coir. I read there are salts in it. I mixed it with vermiculite and it was awful for seedlings and it molds. The paste tomatoes were set back and opals and are taking a bit to come around after transplanting. I just gave them a weak solution of miracle grow and they are looking much better. From what I understand is their is potting soil and potting mix. Soil is heavier and not advised where you want pots lighter in weight. I wonder sometimes how did we ever get this far without all those additives AND at such a $$$?

[@lynnlovessoil]

Cubes of peat moss are hard to come by this time of year.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

I don't know about the situation in the US, but in France it's a disaster. 90% of the mixes in garden centre are rubbish. Your plants will not grow, their leaves will turn yellow, due to a big nitrogen difficiency. Too much wood bits, not enough fertilizer. Some people resort to buying professional mixes, in farmers co-ops. But those are only in the countryside, and only open on weekdays... So for me it's a nightmare to find a good mix. What people end up doing is having to use liquid fertilizer or dry bone/blood on top of the mix. But that's not how it should work... Veggie farmers who do their own sowing just have a good mix and never use fertilizers for their tomatoes, squashes etc... in pots. I was shocked to hear that you fill your garden beds with potting mix though, that'd cost you a fortune... I don't do garden beds coz it just too wasteful in water and too much work, but people who do here simply buy topsoil from a landfill, which is a mix of clay, sand and loam, with a bit of compost added. It's much cheaper (10-20 € per ton) and it's mostly native soil. Sometimes it's Russian roulette and you can get a very heavy clay soil, so it's best to check it beforehand. But it is much cheaper than filling the whole bed with potting mix like a lot of Americans KZbin gardening channels do...

[@lostandwounded]

great video

[@eliandkate]

this is an awesome comparison... but I can't believe how much a bag of potting ix costs you guys. That's so expensive 😁

[@rickthelian2215]

No4 is what the nurseries or farmers use for planting their seeds in trays to on sell or plant on farm that I see on KZbin, but at $40 that ain’t cheap for a home gardener.

[@Rocketman0407]

I see many soil recipes say I should use potting mix. I don’t have any potting mix just raw materials. What is a typical potting mix from the store? Is it just peat or coco coir with some perlite and fertilizer?

[@GardenerScott]

In the US it is primarily peat but coir is starting to appear in many mixes. Here's how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWLSp5uef9ecgKs

[@ahmadalsamaraee5634]

Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Barrell60]

Thank You

[@laurabehenna7950]

Scott, your link you mentioned at the end of this video isn't showing up on the screen. Thought you might like to know. I'd like to review your excellent video about making your own potting mix.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I'm not sure why that happened. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWLSp5uef9ecgKs

[@richardhigel5612]

I wonder if you could add alfalfa pellets to less expensive potting mix after sieving it?

[@GardenerScott]

That can add some nitrogen.

[@franksinatra1070]

Thanks Scott! I've had problems with my brassicas seedlings and young plants under my grow lights dampening off. All the rest of my plants did well including my nightshade, basal, celery, and parsley. I've been using 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide/gallon of water to help prevent fungal and bacterial growth in the mixes but still struggle with my brassicas. I've been using Jiffy organic starting mix and miracle grow potting mix I get at the big box store. Could my starting and potting mixes be my problem or something else?? So frustrating.

[@brianseybert2189]

I did all my brassicas in a cold frame this spring, mainly because I ran out of space in my grow room. Everything did very well, and no need to harden off. Personally I will be making more use out of the cold frames and winter sowing in the future.

[@GardenerScott]

Dampening off is caused by soil fungi. It could be contamination from a potting mix.

[@kjrchannel1480]

In reality there is little reason to grow brassicas inside under lights. I sprout them inside and then put them outside so they can get used to being outside from the start. Your growing conditions aside I have never used Hydrogen Peroxide in that way. Damping off for me has mostyly been from soggy soil. It took a while for me to resist watering at the first sight of dry soil on top. I recently got a batch of coco coir that had indicators of having more salt than advertised; resulting in pale leaves. Then there is PH issues and nutrient problems. It is hard to diagnose some problems sight unseen. In my time growing mushroom kits. I have learned you can slow mold growth, but you can't stop it in a moist environment.

[@tannerfrancisco8759]

You're likely overwatering. Start over if the seedlings aren't doing well rather than try to revive them. Water them as little as possible and point a fan at them. Will stiffen them up and keep them from damping off.

[@melissadebono]

Happy Frog Coco Loco looks more like your premium soil.

[@kjrchannel1480]

I was actually looking at some of those because Peat moss was unobtainium in my area. While reading store reviews. I came to the conclusion that alot of this stuff is just cheap green waste and mulch in a bag. It would appear that major brands often don't care where they get supplies from as long as people buy it. My local green waste has rocks, and garbage in it just like some bagged soils. The screened compost is better priced for about $7 per cubic yard. So I can safely say that most bagged soil; really is overpriced Mystery Soil.

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

Do you recommend the organics for house plants? I have been using FF Happy Frog but it compacts a lot. Espoma compacts more and becomes hydrophobic.

[@GardenerScott]

I like using organic mixes but that is a common problem. Perlite and vermiculite in the mix can help.

[@guymccown5342]

The weeds in the soil

[@tinybooboopaw4116]

Soil is definitely more expensive this year

[@K-Zone]

Haha, that is insane. I would never buy potting soil for $40+ (or even $20 lol) I always buy premium potting soil on sale at the end of the year for $3 a cu. Ft. I will make my own if I can't find it cheaply, since I can make my own using peat and compost for $3.18 a cu. Ft.

[@jeffree9015]

if you live in Colorado you should be using buildasoil mixes if you want the best. Youll pay even more though.

[@tranthiduyen615]

Xin chào bạn lời chào từ Vietnam.bạn rất tuyệt vời thật khéo trồng rau trong vườn nhà bạn

[@michellecjackson4956]

do you have any thoughts or feelings about the sustainability of peat moss? In the UK, it is not sustainable and most gardeners will not use it. Here in North America, I have heard ( don't know myself) that the peat fields in Canada are better supported. I do not know.

[@GardenerScott]

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association and government work together to make it as sustainable as possible. That's not the case in the UK and most of Europe.

[@elderberryjamz3654]

It’s not sustainable in North America either, peat fields in Canada are suffering from decreased biodiversity due to the harvesting practices. But being able to support a lucrative industry at the cost of the environment is the name of the game in these parts.

[@brianramsey3824]

Love ya Scott one caviote I wish youtubers would make is to buy all the parts and pieces of make your own potting soil makes a lot of potting soil if u have any concern about shelf life. It makes a 2 cubic bag in u add can amend as u wish practical for a ton of folks...meaning I wont buy all the parts again just amend a bag as u see fit.

[@ndothan]

I've just started my first garden. I'm growing in the ground, just because it cost less money. I have time, so preparing the ground wasn't too big of a deal. Would it be a good idea, or would it even do anything, if I bought a few bags of the Fox Farms potting soil, and spread it on my garden? I'm thinking that might help quicken the development of my soil, because of the fungi in the Fox Farms soil. Am I thinking right?

[@debbieyaple7175]

I think i would put it in your planting holes, then mix it after harvest.

[@GardenerScott]

It's better to mix the organic material into the soil rather than just on top. That should develop your soil faster.

[@cachito1904]

Roots organic is the best potting soil for the price

[@sandy-rr1by]

well, i see that my fails were probably due to not sifting to get the lighter soil.

[@R0swell5104]

Interesting that peat containing composts are still common in the US. Here it is frowned upon because of the environmental damage that peat extraction causes.

[@Gkrissy]

Yes it is very common to have peat in potting mix in the states.

[@pilsplease7561]

Peat is renewable and grows back fast and generates no enviromental damage like Coir production does.

[@R0swell5104]

@@pilsplease7561 No, peat is nothing like coir, in fact it is a semi fossil fuel and a significant carbon sink. It takes a long time to form and extracting it causes significant environmental damage to the local ecosystem. Once you start extracting it, all further pet formation ceases in that area.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@R0swell5104 Peat is a renewable moss, it grows back it lives in bogs in canada and is renewable.

[@R0swell5104]

@@pilsplease7561 Over what timeframe? I mean coal could then be considered a renewable resource given the appropriate period of time

[@llanitedave]

I was kind of taken aback by the mention of bat guano in one of the products. Mining bat guano is a very destructive practice, as it tends to disrupt the bat habitats. We need more bats, not fewer! I use cheap planting mix, combine it with steer manure, household compost, last year's garden waste, crushed up fallen leaves, and a bit of limy sand. I'm not too proud to mix in some bone and blood meal, either. It's all underlain with sticks and logs in hugelkultur raised beds. Have gotten excellent results for several years now.

[@TheDungeon-Master]

Dang I'm first. Have a great weekend 😀

[@SlanginBeatz]

I'm seeing companies being eco-friendly and not using spagnum peat due to bad benefits in it and replacing it with Coco coir. I've seen potting mix sold without the Peet moss in it

[@pilsplease7561]

Peat moss is renewable and coir is not, coir is horribly damaging to the enviroment and peat grows back in as little as 5 years

[@bellsibub9951]

Everyone putting the choir in their products cos it is cheap. Well cheap in the UK.

[@seanjtobin]

Not really sure what your point is about the 10-10-10 fertilizer being 100x stronger. This isn’t being sold as a fertilizer so why would you make that comparison? Those numbers are a percentage of the total weight of the product. So when you add 10-10-10 fertilizer to your soil, the total percentage of fertilizer in that soil is now diluted in the soil, and that soil now has a percentage near .1-.1.-1. That product you highlight is mostly potting mix with fertilizer added. When you take the weight of all the soil, it lowers the overall fertilizer percentage to healthy levels. You wouldn’t plant your vegetables plants in a container composed solely of 10-10-10 fertilizer. So why even make that comparison?

[@GardenerScott]

The point was that the potting mixes are labeled as having fertilizer, but the three mixes varied quite a bit. I know some people think they are getting the equivalent of a standard balanced fertilizer in the potting mix, but it may not be as much as they think. If the mix is used as a soil amendment the fertilizer added to the garden soil is much less than by adding a fertilizer directly.

[@joshnoutch6960]

Real world issues right here ladies and gentlemen

[@HoutarouOrekiOsu]

I hear your voice mostly in my right headphone and it's unpleasant to listen because of that. Otherwise, great video

[@myriadcorp]

Not done watching but have to say Sta-Green is trash. When I got a bag of that it had large sticks and rocks in it.

[@johnbatterman6657]

13:30 you said Fox Farm uses synthetic ingredients ?? You didn't do very good research dude..

[@williamwaters4506]

The latest is raised bed mix/soil, more nonsense.

[@erichubbard9549]

How about growing something in each soil. Without that information it’s not a very scientific opinion.

[@GardenerScott]

Here is my video that shows the results of comparing the mixes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3angqOwlrKXbK8

[@ryanmasingill9084]

Mulch & Soil Council is sketch.