I like to use potting soil when I plant flowers in the ground. I think I've had good results so far but some1

was telling me that's bad. I have pretty crappy soil so I mix the present soil with Miracle Grow Potting Soil. It seems really moist so I like it. Is that OK or should I really pay bigger bucks and buy the crap at the nursery? What kind?

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersWow, they sell potting soil more expensive than Miracle Grow ?? Go for it , if you and your wallet are happy your plants will love you. They do actually make a fine product and I can't think why anyone would say it was bad ? RScott
Reply:Miracle Gro potting soil is basically peat moss, perlite, and Miracle Gro plant food. Other conditioners like sand, and dolomite lime may also be included. Mixing potting soil with your local soil is not bad; it's probably just an expensive solution.





The prime ingredient is the peat moss. It's acidic. It loosens clay, and helps sandy soil hold water, but it does not have much nutrient value. The perlite keeps the soil loose and helps hold moisture. It is neutral in pH, and inert. The plant food contained in the Miracle Gro potting soil is the reason the plants gow well.





I cannot understand why that "some1" thinks it a bad idea to use in your flowerbeds. The plant food is not going to last more than one growing season. The peat degrades fairly quickly, but any other organic additive will also degrade. You are mixing the Miracle Gro potting soil with your local soil as an ammendment. You might want to compare the cost of a cubic foot of this potting soil against the cost of a cubic foot of manure compost. However, if cost is not an object, and you are having good results with this method, then keep on with what works.
Reply:The thing with miracle grow is that it is ggreat for the foilage for the nitrogen content is high in it and works basically on the greenery...so I use a manure/compost mix from home depot(not pure manure for it is "too sweet"), and it costs 1.34 a bag...... I supplement my soil with miracle grow ONLY during the growing part of the plants in mind, then when they start to bloom..I use a miracle grow blooming agent instead of high nitrogen...This blooming agent is higher in phospahte and phospherous which works ion the roots and the fruits/blooms...some people often ask..why do my plants look so plush and green , but they do not flower out? The answer is too much miracle grow with a high nitrogen content...also with too much you can get long leggy plants that shoot up too quick without developing healthy stalks or roots due to too much nitrogen...The soil itself is okay..but careful with what you fertilize it with at different stages of the plants life..below I will show you links to different products for different stages of the plants life..Also I will show you a couple pictures of my veggie garden and such..which also have marigolds etc for pest control...This is the common miracle grow which has a very high niterogen content..24-8-16..the first number 24 being the nitrogen content..which is very high and good for the foilage...


http://www.miraclegro.com/index.cfm/even...





this is the miracle grow you use after your plants are in a couple weeks or during the blooming stage...15-30-15..less nitrogen the 1st number..higher in potash and phospherous on the 2nd and 3rd number...This is to be used after about 2 weeks in the ground for root development..then use again when blooming starts..


http://www.miraclegro.com/index.cfm/even...
Reply:My mother always used to use " Peat Moss" mixed into the soil with a mulch on top.
Reply:I dont think thats bad as such but when plant roots grown thru potting mix and hit the crappy soil they may have growth checked.


I would get some (bulk) good quality compost and spread approx 100mm deep over garden area and dig in well to mix with soil. If soil has no guts to it this willhelp improve the soil structure which improves water retention and nutrient uptake.


If your soil is clay based it will help open up the soil, allow better drainage and as above.


Each year put on compost and dig in , within a couple of years you will be amazed by the difference


You may need to fertilize your plants, depending on their requirements but you must have a good soil structure for your plants to get the full benefit of the fertilizer
Reply:Why wouldn't potting soil work in the garden? When you take a plant out of its' pot and set it in the ground it is in potting soil. It only makes sense that adding a bit to your garden soil couldn't hurt.
Reply:Miracle Grow is not really the best amendment, believe it or not. Many people think so, but what you call "crap" at the nursery (for whatever reason; they should know ); is really an investment in future plantings. Peat is becoming a fast disappearing product in our world; which is why I no longer buy peat pots at all.





Some good brands are Whitney Farms, Edna's Best, Black Gold, and Master Gardener. They all make slightly different formulas for pots, ground planting, acidic plants, rose needs, tropical plants, etc.





You could also make your own compost, should you not wish to buy it.
Reply:You are wasting your money because you are not building better soil.





Potting soil is not organic material. (Great for pots, worthless in a landscape). I would amend the soil with organic materials that will eventually change your "crappy" soil to a healthy loam, at a lower price than potting soil.
Reply:Miracle Gro Potting soil amends the existing soil...adding nutrients for about 3 months. It doesn't harm a thing...as you see with experience. It helps the soil drain better too. Think about it....when you buy potted plants from the stores/nurseries, they are already IN the potting soil. You put that into the ground...you dont take the potting soil from the roots before you plant it, right??





Miracle Gro GARDEN soil is cheaper than their potting soil though. I use that to amend my existing garden and when I plant new plants.





(You shouldnt use the garden soil in pots ...doesnt drain as well as potting soil, causing mold %26amp; attracts ant/bugs into the pot.)
Reply:Yes, any potting soil will do to ammend "crappy" soil. Remember that you must add someting to ammend used soil. The dirt outside is used, whether you had a plant there or not the rains and sun will deplete the soil of it's good nutrients. Any plants or weeds will also take away the good nurtients.


A less expensive soil ammendment can be bought and do just as well as the Miracle Grow.


I have used many different kinds and found that "organic" seems to work well but can also introduce some weeds.


If you have your own compost pile that has aged about a year you can then supply yourself you own good, healthy, rich dark compost.
Reply:Yes, it's a good thing. We do the same and have for about five years now. We keep adding to it each year. Our gardens are beautiful and we are very happy with the outcome.





My husband has an above the ground garden by the side of his work shop and we only put potting soil in that bed too. Everything grows thick and pretty each year. We keep adding Miracle-Gro Potting Soil with added Food each year.





One of my cyber friends puts bagged Miracle-Gro Soil in the bottom of the holes she digs for new plants. She is very happy with that product. Her gardens are so pretty. She now uses both products.





Have you tried Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster? We used it once per month this summer and it made every thing grow twice the size they were suppose to be. It was like Jack and the Bean Stalk! lolWhite Teeth