The Best Soil Mix for Containers

Brief, but comprehensive tutorial on how to create the very best soil mix for containers

[@truejoy3821]

In 2023 and I’m here to say that this is the BEST soil mix I’ve ever had!!! I’ve used this method for 2 years and people are always amazed at how much harvest I always end up with! I’ve grown okras, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants in this soil and my harvest has always been bountiful!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@clb50]

Oh gosh that's so good to hear. I'm a new Gardner and I'm SO overwhelmed by how many different soils we are told we need.. One for this plant, another for that plant etc etc. And it adds up! I live on 12 acres with mostly pine trees so hoping my "crappy backyard soil" will work as in thinking it is likely somewhat acidic..

[@clb50]

I want to ask, do you amend your soil for each vegetable? Ie certain nutrients? It gets so confusing and I'm trying to keep up.. 😊

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

c, try this. For all fruiting vegetables - peppers, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, melons, watermelons, etc. use Espoma TomatoTone. For non-fruiting vegetables use Espoma PlantTone. For flowers use Jack's Blossom Booster and for berries, particularly blueberries use Espoma BerryTone.

[@freedomlife2468]

I am a first time gardener and purchased top soil, peat moss and compost from Home Depot today. I was told nothing will survive in that mix. I was told to use potting mix instead. I lied and told them it was my grandmother's recipe that worked well for her and is a recipe that I trust. I purchased it all and cannot wait to start planting!!! :)

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

WOW!! Susie. It is so discouraging to hear that a decent company like Home DePot does not better train their sales staff. We have done more than 5,000 plantings and they have survived. I wish you much luck with your gardening and I hope that you will continue to garden for the rest of your life.

[@freedomlife2468]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 Thank You :)

[@paulajohnson1096]

How did the gardening go with the mix? Thinking about trying this myself

[@freedomlife2468]

@@paulajohnson1096 The mix worked for me and I was able to grow many vegetables. I was complimented on how great my plants were growing and producing. I was very happy with the outcome.

[@paulajohnson1096]

@@freedomlife2468 thank you for letting me know. So glad to hear that it worked out for you. Going to be planting some strawberries Soon and I've decided to try out this mix. I'm new to gardening so hope everything works out. Bagged soil is so expensive in the stores and with this mix I can save a little bit of money while trying to learn how to grow some berries for my family. Thanks again for getting back to me.

[@jessgenesh9127]

Everyone who does container planting should watch this video. I wish I have watched before I started my first planting

[@CagedbirdFree]

You are an awesome instructor. I appreciate your detail explanations. Thank you.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Cagedbirdfree, thank you. I hope we can continue to help you with good info.

[@donnaz1961]

Just found your channel. Very simple and straight forward just what I was looking for! Thank you for sharing👍🌞

[@anafindlay1696]

I absolutely love this thank you so much!!🦋🦋🌸🌸🌺🌺❤️❤️

[@at8630]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@barbaraheller3461]

Thank you so much, exactly what I needed to get my vegetable container garden started…👍💕

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are very welcome.

[@Christian-jx3nx]

You are very entertaining to watch! Thanks for the tips! 😃

[@jeandudley7841]

Thank you, thank you! Just what i needed to know.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Jean, you are welcome, welcome. Glad to be of help.

[@ebonhawken574]

You made this so easy!!! Thank you and Bless you!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Ebon, you are very welcome.

[@gd3515]

Great video/instructions. Thanks for sharing!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

GD 3, you are very welcome. We invite you to visit our Harvesting History website www.harvesting-history.com/ to learn more about your horticultural heritage and growing these beautiful plants.

[@CLewis-tc8gs]

Thank you. I've signed up for your newsletter on the website because I want to start growing my veggies in containers.

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Thank you! Very informative 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Andrea, you are very welcome. Thank you for taking your time to watch our Harvesting History video.

[@amoore0713]

Just found your channel! Love it! This is exactly what i was taught to use in my containers.

[@rajahsc]

thanks mam 🙏

[@shadowsofthenight6598]

No Gimmicks - Straight to the point - Love it ! thanks

[@lhdraw]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@robertariglay8945]

Thank you for the great information. I will definitely use this mixture from now on.😅😅

[@DK-vc2me]

Great, no-nonsense informative video.

[@ivorygilyard2243]

This video was very helpful. Thank you for posting. :)

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Dear Ivory, Thank you for taking your time to view one of our Harvesting History videos.

[@madlynbarileau1114]

I stumbled upon this website and I thoroughly appreciate her teaching quality.

[@braddamron9478]

I’ve been using this exact formula given to me by a man who grew roses for 40 years. My gardens and container plants have all done well for 20 years running. I just pulled up my 6 dahlias which lived in this formula for 7 years. I split them and have close to 100 now! Thank you for your time and information!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Brad, it is a great formula and has now grown tens of thousands of container plants. Thank you for the endorsement.

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

What other fertilizers do you use???

[@ChrisM-cp3tz]

Nice presentation 👏

[@GrowZoneTamil]

I love it 😍 thanks a lot for sharing this and I searched a lot to find a mix using top soil and here it’s and so it gives a good budget friendly option to use in my container gardening this year 👌👌

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Grow Zone, you are welcome.

[@jenkitching43]

Great video.

[@kristinasemler5458]

I finally shook the hook from my lip & I'm doing this for the first time this year! Thank you for your research and for sharing your knowledge! I can't wait to check out your web page too!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Kristina, thank you. We wish you much success. Keep trying and learning.

[@dixiecho3338]

Thank you. Simple and effective method that anyone can do. Thousands likes

[@janaignacio643]

thank you for uploading this video, it helps me a lot because im suffering in modular distance learning rn, thank you for this❤️

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Jana, you are very welcome.

[@larkmurry7808]

Merci, Barb! Brilliant...

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are welcome, Lark. Lovely name.

[@MariabelonesSolanaRegalado]

Thank you. Excellent teacher, great video, valuable information 🖐🙂👌💚💚💚

[@sandracarey1361]

You are vey thorough. Love your page Great instructor!😊

[@BarbaraMelera]

Sandra, thank you so much.

[@gregrichards1601]

Just found your site. I've now seen a couple of your videos. Made me smile. Reminds me of home. Lots of good advice, no nonsense and some passion. You could be one of my neighbors as I was growing up who just knows everything and doesn't mind sharing. Thank you. Looks like today my wife and I will be making some potting soil!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Greg, I particularly like that it will be you and your wife working on this project. Your comment was very much appreciated by me.

[@susanray975]

Perfect. Exactly what I needed...❤

[@BarbaraMelera]

Thank you Susan. Very glad you found it helpful.

[@Brennah]

I am a new sub to your channel. Outstanding info! Love your channel!💯🎊💥⭐️💫😊

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Welcome BB. Thank you for taking your time to view our Harvesting History video.

[@maryannmcrae6736]

Thank you for your guidance

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You're most welcome

[@annebeck2208]

You are the only youtube channel that has really helped with my container soil. I am needing advice and help growing roses in containers. David Austin Roses recommends 50% potting compost (potting soil) and 50% John Inness #3 which is 70% loamy soil, 10% sand, 10% granite chips and something else. The only other rose breeder & Royal Rosarian & show winner to recommend dirt/soil in containers for roses recommends 30% dirt/soil and 70% potting soil & compost mix. Which one should I use? How is growing a shrub (rose) in a pot different than bulbs or veggies? Could you make a video? Also can you put bulbs in the pot with the rose?

[@mickzenyhughes8291]

Thanks for.the tips..😁👍

[@voiceologist]

Adding perlite for aeration esp for container gardening helps. Thx for ur video..

[@capricorn3113]

I love this video, soil mix demonstration. This is exactly how my Mom told me whenever i plaant in container. We ofcourse need soil.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Great, Mary. Love the reference to your Mom!

[@jessicaclement]

I did this mix last year and my plants were thriving ! Going to to it again for my containers this year! Thankyou for this video

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Jessica, thank you for the comment

[@nyc5898]

Great video. Straight to the point. Not like everyone else with 15 minute videos of chit chatter

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Thank you. We try to get to the point thoroughly, but not waste your time.

[@lugnerthelisma1246]

Very simple teaching Mam. thank you!

[@falconthree3815]

My pot plants are doing well, with60-20-20 . Thank you for your help😎

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Good for you and your plants. Thank you for the comment. It made me chuckle. Hadn't thought of that application. If you are interested in more info about gardening and our horticultural history, please sign up for our newsletter. The sign-up is located at the bottom at the bottom of this page; harvesting-history.com

[@flipflat4814]

I do container gardening up north in zone 5A and make my own homemade potting mix. I start by using clay dug from my backyard I let it dry in the sun on my driveway then I crush it into a fine powder then sweep it up and collect it. I used to use the topsoil as part of my base ingredients instead of clay, but I've found that the clay has way more minerals than the native topsoil in my backyard. Basically I mix the clay, coarse garden perlite, compost, worm castings, coconut coir , plus inoculants and amendments together by hand. Per XL 10 cubic foot giant wheelbarrow (1 batch): 5 gallons coconut coir 5 gallons of crushed powdered clay 5 gallons of locally-sourced earth worm castings 5 gallons of my homemade super compost (fortified with rock dust and charcoal) 5 gallons of coarse garden perlite This is the bulk of my soil base mix. Then I add these inoculants and amendments to the base mix listed above. (1)Bat Guano (2)Bone meal (3) blood meal (4) rice hauls (5) alfalfa meal (6) kelp meal (7) seaweed meal (8) aged chicken manure (9) green sand "mineral deposits from the ocean floor" (10) feather meal (11) mycorrhiza "a type of fungus" (12) microorganism mix "multiple different types of microorganism bacteria" (13) neem cake meal (14) red wiggler worms about one dozen per flower pot depending on the pot size If you could see through my soil would look like a tangled web of millions of white spider webs in the soil mixture, this is also known as Santa's Beard, it's a good thing 👍. This is the holy grail of the home gardener, it's known as "soil hyphae" a type of mycorrhiza fungus network that has a beneficial symbiotic relationship with the vegetable plant roots. If you're able to achieve this hyphae network magical things happen like absolute ridiculous yields from one plant, it's truly insane 😳👍. I basically make a living soil and let the soil feed the plants (happy soil microbes happy plants)🤷. The only time i actually feed the plants is maybe for the first 5 weeks. I might occasionally mix some fish emulsion with water depending on the current growth rate. Basically if you build your soil properly in the beginning, there's really no reason to feed your plants in my very short grow season 🤷. Happy gardening all hope this helps someone ✌️.

[@davidkoba]

All you need is sand, peatmoss pummice. Compost should be place above the root line at the top of the soil. You did all that for nothing.

[@smallsproutsgarden2813]

I just love you, Barb. You get straight to the point. I have never grown a vegetable before, but currently have tomatoes, peppers, onions and basil started indoors! I am planning to sow carrots, beans and lettuce outside when the weather is appropriate. Thank you for your expertise and information!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Small Sprouts, I wish you much success and strongly encourage you to keep gardening. Few activities are better for your mind and body and soul than gardening.

[@wakeywakey8603]

I've seen tons of KZbin videos about composting, seed starting, self watering, etc etc. This video is SUPER SIMPLE & cost effective. Thank you for taking the Mystery out of Step #1. Prepare the SOIL ❤

[@joannegopaul3774]

Thank you mam, for the great tips, very interesting . Thank you for sharing your video and time. God bless you 🙏💐🥒🌾🌽🌽🌺🌻🌼

[@helensmith9265]

Your soil mix makes sense. I will try it & let u know the results. Thanks for the thorough video! 9:14

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Hope it works for you. Remember, if you are planting fruiting plants like tomatoes or peppers you MUST fertilize throughout the season.

[@rachel18809]

It's always great when I get to learn from a experienced professional who has managed success throughout there years and not just a hack from someone who just wants to pump out a video for mainly profit.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Wow, thank you. The nicest comment we can get is that someone learned from our videos. Again, thank you.

[@redcoffee7853]

OH Thank you!! You made it so simple and clear. Other videos either don't measure or just keep adding bits of this and bits of that. Your video is perfect in every way!! NOW I have something to get started with. Thanks again. ;-) (Oh, P.S.... the only thing I didn't hear is the size of the container you were filling.)

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Red Coffee, You are welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and for taking your time to view our Harvesting History video. Please visit our website at www.harvesting-history.com/

[@imover9999]

I don't think the size matters so much as the ratio. I assume she ended up with about 2 gallons of soil if each small plastic container she added was 1 quart. 8 quarts is 2 gallons (I think...) But you could have a half gallon cup filled the same number of times from each bucket and end up with 4 gallons of finished soil. Does that make sense? Just use any size pot you need and stick to that ratio.

[@ticoalochancho]

The lightness is absolutely the problem with premiado container soil! Great info.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Thank you.

[@highplains7777]

Especially when you live in a windy area like me. Pot too heavy? Grow a pair. Still to heavy? Get your son or grandson to move it for you.

[@NCRoots2011]

You are awesome!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Thank you. Please visit our website when you have the chance, www.harvesting-history.com/

[@yorki222]

Great tutorial. In UK we can't get peat anymore, it has been made illegal to use peat, so now the bought compost is utter rubbish and the greenhouse plants struggle. Was going to mix it with some sterilized topsoil.

[@ellisjk1409]

Use coco coir if that is legal there. Search videos on how to rinse it and buffer with calmag. It is renewable, just uses lots of water to prepare.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

See if you can find a farm that will sell you rabbit or llama or other large bird poop. Try coco coir for a replacement for peat.

[@Rita-23]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Rita, you are welcome. Glad we could be of some help.

[@angelamaesarabia4297]

This is my1st time using this soil mix. I have been looking for soil mix that is much cheaper. Im excited. I hope my babies grow better this way. I just transpanted my greens, tomatoes and peppers today.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Angela, you will do well and so will your babies. Remember to fertilize those tomatoes and peppers.

[@jiujitsuforall8627]

Just a newbie gardener here, but I truly appreciate your straightforward, no nonsense approach on this subject. We've been struggling trying to get just the right combination of growing medium for our fabric grow bags. Our 1st attempt at mixing produced a medium that drains almost immediately, doing our cucumbers no good at all. I'm gonna try this mix but will have to use "top soil" from home depot cause our native soil is solid clay!!! Thanks!

[@kmsbanr]

JiujitsuForAll she has another video that she said clay would work also. I'm in a clay soil area too but not of a mind to dig it up.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Top soil from Home Depot is fine. Wishing you success.

[@reginaeiland9358]

Thank you!

[@seemamalkani5517]

Other recipes I have researched indicate compost, perlite, and coco Pete - how is this different? Which is better for container gardening? Thanks a lot. Very helpful video.

[@genecarbonaro1493]

Do you recommend a few different types of compost like horse, chicken and worm castings?

[@bellzrey]

Thank you for sharing

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Thank you, you may want to sign up on our website for our newsletters. At the bottom of this page: harvesting-history.com/

[@clb50]

I'm so excited to find your video. I honestly feel we are conned into believing we need to buy a bunch of expensive things in order to garden and it makes many people decide not to go forward. I'm going to try your mix and have been gathering "crummy backyard soil" from around our property. We live in property with pine trees so will be interested to see if our soil works well.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You may need to add lime to your soil. Pine soil can be acidic. Lime will decrease the acidity.

[@highplains7777]

Yeah, I've got plenty of experience gardening and have made my own "soilless mixes" using bricks of sphagnum peat, coir, horticultural sand, bark fines, pumice and perlite. With the price of peat and coir getting asinine, even in brick form, I'm going to give this method a shot. I might cut back on the backyard soil to 30 percent and use the big box "topsoil" for the other 30 percent of the 60 percent soil portion. Maybe throw in some graded pumice for drainage. I've got a huge compost pile going and that pretty much consists of free material or matter I would have thrown out anyway. Tough times makes tough people (and smarter too).

[@ekuabaffour9642]

I’m all new to gardening...hope this will help me🙏🏾

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Oh, it will.

[@holly1391]

Great video, I grow about 75 roses in containers and need to repot them up…am going to follow this with maybe some alfalfa meal thrown in. I am saving this video! I also loved your succinct style of explaining! Thank you!🥰🌸

[@BarbaraMelera]

Holly, Thank you for your comment and compliment. Would you please let me know how the soil mixture does with your roses. I think your idea of adding alfalfa meal is great. The nitrogen fixing ability of alfalfa should really enhance the leaf and stem health of your roses. Once again, thank you.

[@holly1391]

@@BarbaraMeleraHi again Barbara, all the top soils at my garden centers have sand in them, I am in south central Texas and I don’t need sand in my potting rose soil. At least I don’t think so…I found one soil from Ace that is a little more expensive but it has the following ingredients; composted materials, sphagnum peat moss, wetting agent and added nutrients (I.e. slow release fertilizer at a ratio of .o7, .01, .03) My question is, if I use this, I am thinking I would just need to mix in the two parts compost…I did buy a bag and I liked how it looked and smelled. Not too heavy but still had good substance. What are your thoughts, would you still add the moss and the compost? Thank you! Holly P.s. it the Ace all purpose garden soil in case you wanted to know….thanks again!🌸

[@BarbaraMelera]

@@holly1391 Holly, this sounds like a good mix and I agree, add a little compost.

[@holly1391]

@@BarbaraMelera thank you Barbara, most appreciated 🙏🏼🌸

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Nice article. TYFS

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are welcome.

[@swapnakomati6963]

Easyily explained.Can we use this mix for indoor plants aswell

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Yes, you certainly can.

[@hadleymanmusic]

years back my friend has R.Arthritus on a 16×12 I turned everything twice . added top soil, peat moss, manure, pottin mix. turned it all in and the best tasting tomatoes, had the perfect salt

[@BarbaraMelera]

Yup!! That mix will do it.

[@tankarian1987]

good explained .like to see how to make home made starter seed soil.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Manuel, use the same soil described. Its density protects new roots.

[@MinhNguyen-gu4br]

Thanks for your loud and clear demonstration. My soil is 3.0 Ph is it ok for planting vegetables. Thanks again

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Probably not. Too acidic. Add lime to bring your soil closer to neutral - PH 7.

[@edithspears2422]

Love this video! I wish I would have seen this before I planted my containers. What would you suggest to help with containers getting compacted? Everything I've tried growing in containers doesn't survive I think cause my soil is too compacted. Does the peat moss help with that?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Edith you are correct. The peat moss will help, but I have an additional suggestion. This fall when you have cleaned the dead plant material from your containers, get some Green Sand. Green Sand is an organic soil additive. You will only find it at a very good garden center. Cover the surface of the soil in your containers with the Green Sand and scratch it in gently. Green Sand breaks down the compacting from clay-based soils and turns them in to a lovely loam. You also need to fertilize your container plants every 2 weeks. That might have contributed to the demise of your plants.

[@ellisjk1409]

I know it's been a year but perlite is what you need for lightening up your soil. It help get oxygen to the roots too. Mix in 1/4 to 1/3 perlite to the entire mix. Perlite is used in virtually everybody's mix recipe and I fail to understand why granny here doesn't use it.

[@Home-sh8px]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 thanks for your suggestion

[@SM-pk7pg]

I've been using Potting mix in containers here in New Zealand, not really doin it for me, growth on veg average at best, so will try this, thanx👍

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are welcome. I think you will be pleased with the results, but you must also fertilize.

[@Bluecorner841222]

Love your videos ! Fact based & experience. Love the do it or don’t vibe haahaa 😂 🙌🏻🥳🌱🌿🌷👩🏽‍🌾

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Azul, Thank you for this comment and for taking your time to view our video. We know your time is precious, so we are very grateful.

[@edperestroika3246]

First off I want to say what a great inspiring video. I absolutely love it. I was hoping you could give me any recommendations on which topsoil / preferred brand. Also, would it be necessary to sterilize / pasteurize any of the ingredients used? Any input would be deeply appreciated

[@jaylnt8440]

I like coast of Maine topsoil. But also in her other videos she uses regular backyard dirt for topsoil.

[@ellisjk1409]

She said the cheapest. It's just filler anyway.

[@maryking7486]

Thank you so much❤❤❤❤❤

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are very welcome. I hope we can continue to provide you with helpful advice. You might want to sign up for our newsletter at harvesting-history.com/ bottom of the page

[@maryking7486]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 I have signed up for your newsletter! This is so wonderful for me!! You not only provide great gardening advice but you also provide the tools to make it happen!!! I am a new fan!!!

[@sarathwijerathne6118]

Excellent

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Sarah, thank you.

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

I strongly agree Ma'am.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Thank you.

[@MorelliMedia]

Question I’m having a hard time finding an answer. What makes planting in containers so different then planting in the ground, that we would want to have a specific container mix. Thanks

[@wilbertog58]

Greetings from Puerto Rico, I just wanted to know if this mix can be used for figs. Subscribed to this channel!!

[@rauljimenez8132]

Similar to what i use for my figs, but i also add some perlite and pine bark and usually no topsoil.

[@davidnorris8852]

Thank you!!!!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You're welcome!

[@thedaydreamer7972]

Nice videos, I like your work,,,,,Question,,,,when we talk about soil, compost and manure, if we obtain these products from our local nursery how can we be certain that they are safe to grow food in? Is there a way we can test to be sure that they are getting quality in their loads that they provide to their customers? Im not talking about OMRI listed bags of these products, but large piles that they have for sale there. I need to be sure that what Im growing in is safe,,,, TY for all your videos

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Dear Daydreamer, the answer to your question is that you can never be sure. The best protection is to know your garden center and to honestly share with them your concerns, but do it at a time when they are not inundated with customers, so they can speak with you frankly and honestly. Bulk, unbagged soil that they purchase may come from an entity that they trust and have done business with for years, but that entity may have changed soil collecting locations and may not know that the soil has contaminants. If the soil is near a riverbed and there has been catastrophic flooding, then perfectly fine soil may now have contaminants. One encouraging fact is that contaminants wash out of the soil fairly quickly. It may take as long as a year, but they will eventually be gone. You might want to plant or mulch with some soil enriching/cleansing plants like comfrey or alfalfa mulch. I am not sure how much 'cleansing' these plants/mulch do, but they will certainly enrich your soil significantly. Hope this helps a little... and thank you for your kind comment.

[@ThatHammondSound]

Do you have any advice for how long this mix can be used (growing vegetables) before it needs to be refreshed with new nutrients? And what would I add when the time comes?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

In our experience we lose between 10%-20% of the soil in a container each year. For the first 3 years we replace the lost soil with compost or composted manure. In the fourth and fifth year we replace with topsoil. Then we repeat the process in the subsequent years - 3 years compost, then 2 years soil.

[@DaMataFamilyEGarden]

I loved your video! Also, would I add perlite in this mixing for mini rosas?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Fernanda, you don't have to if you add enough peat moss.

[@DaMataFamilyEGarden]

Harvesting History LLC, thank you very much for answering!

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

@@DaMataFamilyEGarden You are very welcome!

[@spencerhuang9366]

How about garden soil I already bought instead top soil? Also 6:2:2 ?

[@ronm6585]

Thank you.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

You are very welcome. If you are interested in more info about gardening and our horticultural history, please sign up for our newsletter. The sign-up is located at the bottom at the bottom of this page; harvesting-history.com

[@lavanhere]

Thanks for this great info. Can I use this soil mix in a grow bag?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

LaVaNya, you can use this soil mix in a grow bag, but if you are growing something like potatoes, I would suggest that you place a 4-6 inch layer of this soil mix in the bag. Place the potato chunks in the bag/bags and cover them with 3-4 inches of the soil mix. Then fill the rest of the bag with straw, not soil. You will get the same amount of potatoes and it is a lot easier to maneuver and to clean up.

[@lavanhere]

Thanks so much for the response!

[@TheLoreHunter]

​@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 Hi! I have three questions. I was wondering how you suggest fertilizing potatoes with this mix, ie what kind of fertilizer and how often? Also, do I have to add fertilizer to the bottom or can I add after planting?

[@desireapruitt969]

Im a fresh newbie and live in GA looking to start growing beets, carrots and cabbage. Is it to late for this season or wait till next year. I have the serds you recommended and grow bags. All help is welcomed

[@loveliz0974]

@Harvesting History LLC hi would you recommend this mix for Dahlias?

[@mmgreen31]

Barb, what type of fertilizer would you suggest for the bi-weekly treatments?

[@dr.greenthumb6535]

Judging by her application I would think she utilizes compost tea 😊

[@truejoy3821]

Awesome video! I’m all new to gardening so I have a question. I plan on starting growing Tomatoes and habernero pepper🌶 ..can I use this mixed soil to start with the seedlings🌱? Or do I need a different type of soil? Thanks

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

True Joy, love your name. You can use the same mix to start seeds, just make sure the soil ismixed well.

[@truejoy3821]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 thank you!!😁😁

[@sarar371]

Thank you

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Hope it helps. You are welcome.

[@andreabeleno6280]

I am new in gardening and I live in the Uk. Could you please write the list of the key things we need to use our soil? I understood that we need: 1. top soil, 2. Organic matter- pig max? And 3. compost- dehydrated manure? Thank you in advance

[@fvallilee2072]

2. Organic mater - Peat moss

[@tealover4664]

Hello, is it bad if potting mix soil from stores have a lot of wood chips?

[@Richardod1]

Can you use ordinary Multi purpose compost for this mix ?

[@michaely567]

Thank you very much! Can I use this soil mix in my new garden beds or the mixture should be different? I need something to fill them.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Michael, this soil mix would be great for your garden beds.

[@michaely567]

Thank you again! You saved me. Cheers

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Michael, you saved yourself by having the courage to ask a good sense question. You are welcome. It was our pleasure.

[@cfantasticseeallgood]

So what about potting soil to use for growing vegetables in a pot?

[@sharonvanderpool4611]

What is the size of the container you’re scooping the mix with..great video 😊

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Sharon, sometimes I use a 6-inch pot, sometimes a shovel, sometimes a trowel. Use whatever is convenient for you.

[@GardensoftheAncientsHerbal]

I learned if you have good watering habits that just using potting mix on the bottom half if perlite based and mix with coco coir and mix soul in soil on the top half. For vermiculite based mixes add the soil mixed in thoroughly. Sorry to say lol I’m 39 and have 30+ years experience. Dad had me driving the ole truck from 8 years old running his nursery. 😊. If the roots get to the bottom by the time they do the nutrients will finally leech down at that time it also allows for better drainage in a pot. Especially for tomatoes or peppers it works great.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Nate, thanks for the comment. The problem with potting soil mixes is that they are too light. If you live in areas where there are frequent winds, movement of the plant in the pot will damage roots especially new roots. I encourage gardeners to do what works for them. After 68 years of gardening, (I planted my first zinnia seeds at age five, but didn't learn to drive a tractor until I was 68) the only thing I know for sure is that there are always more tings to learn and what works for one gardener does not necessarily work for another.

[@rudimentalgardening]

Do you add any additional fertilizer to the mix based on what you are growing in the container, or do you just utilize what is available in the mix?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Rudimental Gardening, thank you for this question. After I plant seeds or bulbs or seedlings, I always augment the soil mix with period fertilizing. Usualyy every 2 weeks.

[@ellisjk1409]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 That would be useful information in the video; was it in there?

[@TO-vw3sy]

What about flowers in small pots like vinca? Would this work for backyard flower pots? All the recipes call for perlite so I’m confused a bit 😮

[@danielnguyen4625]

Hi ! This Daniel. I would like to ask you about since i had some bags of micracle grow garden soil on hand. Can i use them instead of bags of topsoil ?

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Yes. The soil is a little too light, but since you already have it, use it.

[@VictorNewman201]

I'm wondering if this mix would be appropriate for potted fruit trees like apples and peaches. I have found that bagged potting soils don't drain well enough (too much peat?), and I was looking for an alternative. I was thinking of just adding more perlite and vermiculite to potting soil, but im wondering if I could try this mix instead.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Victor, Sorry for the delayed response. It works very well for fruit trees. I have three large citrus growing in this soil mix and currently, between the three I have 120 immature fruit. Not all the fruit will reach maturity, but a bunch will.

[@dianneo1232]

is this mix good for vegetables too?

[@bonniemartin4232]

Hi Barb, Great video. I'm a first time Gardener at the age of 61. I mixed up a batch of soil like you have in your video but I'm a bit nervous because many many other sources will say things like one part, perulite, one part vermiculite, one part compost. Many don't even have the topsoil in there much less make it 60% of the soil. Any comments about that? I have strawberry plants, blueberry plants, raspberry plants coming. Do I add a supplement to your mixture as I think they need to be more acidic, right? Are there any vegetables where this mixture wouldn't be ideal? Thank you for taking the time to help us first timers.

[@harvestinghistoryllc3161]

Bonnie, I received your email and this comment. Thank you. I don't like perlite and vermiculite. Birds will often mistake perlite for seeds, for one thing. The soil mix we suggest, we have been using for 18 years with superb results. We have done more than 5,400 plantings with this mix. Plants must have soil for nourishment. Perlite and vermiculite provide none. They keep the soil from compacting, but so do peat moss and sometimes compost. Peat Moss provides organic matter which contains high levels of nitrogen and micronutrients critical for plant nourishment and growth. Compost provides nitrogen and other micronutrients. This is why we recommend this mix. Hope this helps. With your berries, you need to add pelletized sulfur to the blueberries and for all your berries a fertilizer like BerryTone from Espoma. You need to do this at the beginning of the season and not throughout the season.

[@bbyjcky1]

And i just watched a few that said 1 part topsoil, 1 part peatmoss and a handful of garden lime… and a handful of fertilizer 🤔

[@thomaskt6663]

Thanks Bonnie for this question and as usual@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 , Barb for sharing your expertise. This is really helpful. For the strawberries, other berries, can you please provide your comments to grow them in container gardening based on your vast experience in planting. I need an info on size of containers in diameter/depth, how many per container. Also, whether 60% top soil + 20 % peat moss + 20 % compost good enough, apart from BerryTone & pelletized. You suggested to use these at the beginning of the season, does this mean only for 6 to 8 alternate weeks?(as suggested for Tomatoes). Please share any useful tips or request you to post a video if possible on this berries. Thank you so much for sharing your time and experience.

[@thomaskt6663]

@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 , please share the ideal container size and number of strawberry/blueberry( berry plants) per container.