Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Organic potting soils are made with ingredients that you can recognize, no mystery powders, chemical additives, or artificial ingredients here! Not only do these soils provide the nutrients your plants need to grow, but they also nourish the soil itself, resulting in healthier plants and a better garden environment overall.
If you’re looking to grow healthy, happy plants, then you want to find the best soil that you can. The right potting soil will provide your plants with everything they need to thrive, and it will make caring for them easier as well.
But how do you know what makes one potting soil better than another? Organic potting soils are made of natural materials that are gentle on your plants and safe for use in your garden or balcony, making them the best choice to start with.
Many gardeners swear by organic potting soils for the many benefits they offer over regular potting soils, including better water retention, healthier plant growth, reduced need for fertilizers and pesticides, fewer soil compaction issues, and better resistance to mold and fungus.
If you’re looking to start a garden and want to know more about organic potting soils, this article has everything you need to know about why organic potting soils are the best choice for your plants!
What is potting soil?
Potting soil is a type of growing medium that is used to support plants in containers. It is made up of a variety of different ingredients, including organic matter, perlite, and vermiculite. Unlike garden soil, potting soil is sterile and free of weed seeds and harmful insects. This makes it an ideal choice for growing plants in containers.
What is an Organic Soil?
Organic soil is a type of soil that contains living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. This type of soil is also rich in organic matter, which helps to improve plant growth.
In addition, organic soils can help to reduce water and fertilizer use because they contain more nutrients than artificial products. They are more environmentally friendly and often have a better pH balance than artificial products do.
Organic soil is composed of three main ingredients: compost, peat moss, and vermiculite or perlite. Compost provides both nutrients and beneficial microbes to keep your plants healthy; peat moss retains moisture while providing aeration; vermiculite or perlite provides excellent drainage while adding structure to the mix.
What are the benefits of using organic potting soils?
Organic potting soils offer a number of benefits for plants. They contain beneficial bacteria that protect against disease-causing organisms, and they can promote healthier root growth. Some also include nutrients such as composted cow manure or bat guano which provide vital nutrients for plant growth.
The use of synthetic fertilizers can strip away valuable micronutrients from the soil, but this won’t happen with organic potting soils since they are naturally rich in these important minerals.
Organically grown plants are less likely to develop pests or diseases, so there’s no need to add pesticides when you use organic potting soils. If you’re looking for healthy plants without all the additives found in commercial brands, try going organic!
3 Components of a potting soil
Composted tree bark
Tree bark is an excellent source of organic matter for your potting soil. It helps improve drainage while also providing essential nutrients for your plants. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle tree waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Look for composted tree bark at your local garden center or nursery.
Sphagnum peat moss
Peat moss is an excellent source of organic material, but it can be heavy. If you’re looking to lighten your load, try using coco coir instead. The best thing about this product is that it’s not only lighter than peat moss but also more sustainable.
Made from the outer husk of a coconut and compressed into blocks, this material is also very high in nitrogen and perfect for plants that need acidic soil. Be sure to check whether or not your potting mix contains perlite or vermiculite as these substances provide additional aeration for the roots and make sure there are plenty of drainages.
While peat moss is an excellent amendment, it’s important to remember that it is a non-renewable resource. As such, many gardeners use coir as an alternative to peat moss in their potting soils. Coir is derived from coconut husks and comes from sustainably grown plants that provide livelihoods for thousands of people around the world.
Vermiculite or perlite
Vermiculite and perlite are two of the most popular amendments used to improve drainage and aeration in potting mixes. They are lightweight, sterile, and pH-neutral, making them ideal for use with delicate plants. Vermiculite absorbs water and nutrients, while perlite helps aerate the soil and improve drainage.
Both amendments can be found in organic potting soils. But there is one major difference between the two: vermiculite has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), which means it will hold onto fertilizer longer than perlite does. It also offers a greater amount of nutrition to your plants.
The downside is that vermiculite is more expensive than perlite, so you may want to experiment with both options before deciding on one over the other.
Components of good organic potting soil
Bat guano
If you’re looking for organic potting soil that will give your plants a boost, look for one that contains bat guano. This natural fertilizer is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential nutrients for healthy plant growth.
Plus, bat guano is a slow-release fertilizer, so it will continue to nourish your plants for weeks or even months after you’ve applied it. It’s also safe for humans and animals, unlike other fertilizers like urea, which can cause breathing problems when inhaled.
One downside of bat guano is its high cost. For this reason, some gardeners may choose not to use it as their primary organic potting soil ingredient.
Alfalfa meal
Alfalfa meal is a great fertilizer for plants. It’s an organic option that contains a lot of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. As it decomposes, it provides your plants with these nutrients over time. If you’re looking to get more than just a one-time boost from your potting soil, alfalfa meal is worth considering.
Not only does it give your plants all three macronutrients they need to grow well, but it also adds organic matter as it breaks down into the soil. That’s important because adding some organic matter to your potting mix can help prevent nutrient deficiencies in heavy clay soils or reduce water retention in sandy soils.
Coconut coir
Coconut coir is an organic material made from coconut husks. Unlike peat moss, which is also an organic potting soil material, it has a neutral pH and is free of heavy metals and other toxins. It can be used as a substitute for peat moss in many instances or used in conjunction with it to create a well-draining potting mix.
Since it is lightweight, it’s easier to use than clay pellets when filling pots and containers. As an added bonus, coco coir provides your plants with natural fertilizer since its fibers release nutrients when they break down over time. All these benefits make this organic potting soil stand out as one of the best choices for your plants!
Humus
If you’re looking for organic potting soil that will give your plants a nutrient-rich environment to grow in, look for one that contains humus. Humus is decomposed organic matter that helps improve drainage and aeration while also providing essential nutrients for plant growth.
Plus, it can help retain moisture and reduce erosion. Some types of soils contain composts or manure which not only add nutrients but can increase fertility over time. These materials should be composted before use so they don’t produce unwanted odors or attract pests.
You should avoid using peat moss as it doesn’t have any nutrient value and is acidic, which may harm your plants’ roots.
Mulch
Mulch is an organic material that is applied to the surface of a garden bed, landscaped area, or soil. It may be used as a weed barrier and serves as insulation against frost. For these reasons, mulch is an essential component of any garden.
You should look for mulches made from untreated wood chips, straw, leaves, peat moss or compost. Make sure you don’t use anything treated with pesticides.
Earthworm castings
Organic potting soils contain earthworm castings, which are an excellent source of nutrients for plants. Castings also help improve drainage and aeration in the soil, and they can increase the amount of water that your plants can retain. Look for organic potting soils that are rich in earthworm castings, and your plants will thank you!
Potting soils should be moist but not wet before use. Allow the bag to breathe before opening it, or better yet, open it outside so that you don’t have to worry about bringing moisture into your home or workspace.
Wet a handful of potting soil and squeeze it in your hand; if it forms a tight ball without breaking apart easily, then the consistency is right.
Kelp meal
When it comes to organic potting soils, kelp meal is one of the best ingredients you can look for. Kelp meal is a great source of nitrogen, potassium, and other essential nutrients that plants need to thrive.
It also helps improve drainage and aeration in the soil, which is important for root health. Plus, kelp meal is a natural source of enzymes and hormones that can promote plant growth.
Beneficial bacteria
Beneficial bacteria help break down organic matter and provide natural fertilizers. These beneficial microbes also help reduce the risk of disease, suppress weed growth, and promote healthy root development.
Studies have shown that plants grown in organic potting soils with beneficial bacteria can uptake up to five times more nutrients than those grown in conventional potting soils without beneficial bacteria. A good example of such bacteria is mycorrhizae.
Why are organic potting soils better?
Organic potting soils are made from natural materials like composted bark, peat moss, and perlite. This means they’re free from synthetic chemicals and fertilizers that can harm your plants. They also break down more slowly, which helps you maintain a healthy balance of nutrients in your soil.
Organic potting soils also typically contain no pesticides or other harmful substances so you don’t have to worry about what could be harming your family’s health. What’s more, organic potting soils come in all different textures, making it easy to find one that suits your needs.
What type of potting soils do I need?
If you live in an area with clay-heavy soil and prefer looser soil, then look for organic potting soil with a coarser texture. In contrast, if you live in an area with sandy-based soils and want a looser texture, then look for finer-textured organic potting soil.
Likewise, if you have nutrient-rich soil with plenty of organic matter already, choose coarse-textured potting soil that will hold more water and nutrients.
And finally, if you want to improve drainage but still retain moisture levels, consider choosing a potting mix with perlite added in.
How to pick good organic potting soils
When you’re looking for organic potting soils, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure that the soil is certified organic by a reputable organization. Second, look for soil that is rich in nutrients and will help your plants thrive.
Third, choose soil that is well-draining and won’t retain too much water. Fourth, make sure the soil is pest-free and won’t attract unwanted critters. Fifth, opt for organic potting soil that is packaged in such a way that it can be recycled.
Finally, don’t forget to read the reviews before purchasing any product!
