In the world of bagged soils and soil amendments, it is easy to get confused. There are many names for the same products and they can be difficult to tell apart, but each product does have its place, and using the right one for the job makes a difference. Basically, there are potting soils, garden soils and amendments. Don't be fooled into thinking that there isn't that much difference from product to product or brand to brand. This is one area where you truly get what you pay for. A number of bagged products on the market are not worth it, no matter how cheap. A heavy bag isn't necessarily a bargain either, since you might just be buying wet muck. Potting soil is designed for use in containers, both indoors and out. It can be made up of varying amounts of peat, garden soil, sand, Perlite and vermiculite.

Because potting soils will have to provide everything the plants need, they should retain moisture, air and nutrients as well as a place for the roots to grow. There are several formulas of potting soil designed to meet the needs of specific plants. If you aren't familiar with the different products, take a few minutes to read the following descriptions. Also, a reputable garden center shouldn't hesitate to open a bag and show you the product.

Bachman’s Mighty Earth™ Potting Soil This is a peat-based, high-quality potting soil that also contains some garden soil, vermiculite and Perlite. It is fairly lightweight, well drained and has good moisture and nutrient retention.

Bachman’s Mighty Earth™ Nursery Soil This is made up of clean garden soil and compost. It is heavier than potting soil and holds more moisture. Nursery soil is best for outdoors, for raised planters, filling in low spots or mixing into existing soil at planting.

Bachman’s Mighty Earth™ Manure is a blend of manure and peat moss that is well composted. Others are pure manure that is heavy and holds a lot of moisture. All manure products have been thoroughly composted and should have no unpleasant odor.

Peat and Sheep is a mixture of composted peat moss and sheep manure. Manures are intended for use outdoors to incorporate into the soil for flower and vegetable beds or to mix with existing soil when planting trees or shrubs. Manure does add some nutrition as well as organic matter.

Top Soil Occasionally you will find a packaged product labeled "top soil". It is usually a mixture of composted peat and sand. Topsoil is intended for outdoor use and is a heavy mixture. It should not be used to fill containers because it won't hold enough air for the roots and won’t drain adequately.

Peat Moss There are two types of peat sold as bagged products in garden centers. The good stuff
is finely milled sphagnum peat moss. It usually comes compressed in bales and is a medium brown when dry. When wet, it is a dark, rich brown. It can hold lots and lots of moisture and is an excellent amendment for sandy soils. (Peat can be used in clay soils too, if there isn't already a moisture problem.) The other type of bagged peat is composted peat and will be black and heavy. It's only virtue is that it is an inexpensive filler. It won't do the same thing as baled peat moss, so don't confuse the two.

Compost can be made up of any organic material that has gone through the composting process. Often compost is made of yard waste. It tends to be more coarse than manure or garden soil and is a good amendment for clay soils. You may also find mushroom compost, another good product.

Sand There are several grades of sand sold for home and garden use, based on how clean and fine they are. Bachman's sells a washed river sand that has medium-size grains and is clean. It is used to improve drainage in clay soils but should be mixed with organic material such as compost or peat moss as well. (Under the right circumstances, clay and sand can turn into bricks and the organic material helps break it up.) During the snow and ice season, Bachman's also sells a coarser sand packaged in tubes. This can be used in the garden too. Just make sure you aren't purchasing a sand and salt mixture.

Soil-less Mixture The top-of-the-line potting medium for containers is a soil-less mix, sometimes called professional potting mixtures. Bachman's offers Hyde Park Professional Mix made from milled sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite and Perlite. Most soil-less mixtures also contain a small amount of starter fertilizer as well as an agent to make it easier to moisten. Hyde Park comes pre-moistened in a loose-fill bag.

The advantage of a soil-less mixture is that it has the best drainage, aeration and ability to hold nutrients and water.

Redi-Earth This is a superfine mixture intended for use with seeding indoors. It is considered a sterile mixture and is made principally of finely milled sphagnum peat moss. It is an ideal seed starting medium not only because of its texture, aeration, drainage and moisture retention, but because peat has a natural ability to fight off disease. Because it is so fine, it doesn't support larger plants outdoors.

Perlite Even though it looks just like styrofoam beads, it isn't. Perlite is a natural product, a silica derivative that weighs almost nothing. It is used to improve drainage in potting soils and as a starting medium for cuttings. It has no nutritional value and holds little or no moisture.

Vermiculite This is another natural product similar to mica. Vermiculite is very lightweight and holds moisture. It is used in potting soils and as a starting medium for seeds and cuttings.

Specialty Potting Soils There are various potting mixtures designed to meet the needs of specific types of plants such as cactus, African violets and bonsai. Because these plants require excellent drainage and aeration of the soil, the specialty mixes are customized with sand, small gravel, fine bark chips and charcoal. Varying amounts of these ingredients are added to a quality peat-based potting soil.

Recommended Products
Bachman's Grown Quality Perennials
Packaged Soils and Amendments
Packaged Mulches
Bachman's Garden Food 10-20-10
Gardening Tools and Gloves

Additional Bachman's Information
Understanding Your Soil
Acidifying Your Soil
Working with Clay Soil
Soil Tests
Soil pH

© Bachman's 2007