Understanding Potting Mix and Potting Soil

Key Concepts

• Difference between potting mix and potting soil
• Ingredients and cost of various brands
• Use cases based on gardening needs and budget

Potting Mix vs. Potting Soil

• Potting mix and potting soil: Used interchangeably in the context of this lecture
• Ingredients: Differ between brands but usage remains the same

Analysis of Different Brands

Stay Green Potting Mix

• Ingredients: Peat, forest products, core, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, added fertilizer (ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, calcium phosphate, urea, potassium sulfate)
• Fertilizer Content: 0.08% nitrogen, 0.02% phosphate, 0.06% potash
• Cost: $11.98 for 64 quarts (~19 cents/quart)
• Remarks: Chunky with wood parts, may need sifting for seedlings

Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix

• Ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss, forest products, peat, perlite, fertilizer, wetting agent
• Fertilizer Content: 0.21% nitrogen, 0.11% phosphate, 0.16% potash
• Certification: Certified premium potting soil
• Cost: $17.98 for 50 quarts (~36 cents/quart)
• Remarks: Light, fluffy, contains slow-release fertilizer pellets

Fox Farm Happy Frog Potting Soil

• Ingredients: Aged forest products, peat moss, perlite, earthworm castings, bat guano, oyster shell, dolomite lime, mycorrhizal fungi
• Organic Fertilizers: Castings, guano, oyster shell
• Cost: $28.99 for 50 quarts (~56 cents/quart)
• Remarks: Light and fluffy, more perlite, aged forest products

Peonia Soil's Bomb Mix

• Ingredients: Coco husk, perlite, dynamic dressing compost, worm castings, kelp meal, feather meal, gypsum, oyster shell flour, dolomite lime, dried molasses, azomite, fish bone meal, seabird guano, humate, mycorrhizal inoculant, green sand, citric acid, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, sodium borate, natural potash
• Organic Certification: Noticeably all organic
• Cost: $39.99 for 51 quarts (~78 cents/quart)
• Remarks: Light, fluffy, no forest products, high water absorption

Observations and Recommendations

General Observations

• Higher-priced mixes typically contain more diverse and organic ingredients
• More expensive mixes may offer benefits for long-term use due to organic matter
• Cheaper mixes may be suitable for short-term use or minor gardening projects

Recommendations

• Budget-conscious gardeners: Cheaper brands (Stay Green, Miracle Grow) are sufficient for seed starting and short-term use
• Long-term container gardening: Premium brands (Fox Farm, Peonia Soil) are recommended due to richer organic content and nutrient profiles

Additional Resources

• Gardener Scott’s DIY Potting Mix: Blend using peat moss, compost, and perlite for a more cost-effective alternative