What Kind of Soil for Container Vegetable Gardening?

The health of container-grown produce depends on the soil.

Successfully growing vegetables in containers requires starting with the right soil mixture. You might think that filling the container with garden soil dug from the backyard will produce the results you want, but that is not the case.

Properties

Soil that drains well is important for good plant growth in a container garden. Plain garden soil tends to compact in a container and does not allow the circulation of air or the drainage necessary for healthy plants.

Air

The soil needs porous materials like perlite and vermiculite which create spaces for the air underground.

Water

Water should flow through the container freely and not be allowed to collect in the bottom. However, the soil needs to retain some moisture so that the container does not dry out too quickly. Organic material like moss helps with water retention while still allowing good drainage.

Nutrients

As the water passes through the container, it washes away nutrients, so start with nutrient-rich soil and add fertilizer regularly to replenish the nutrient content.

Sources

Commercially prepared potting soils are available online and at stores like Walmart and Target, garden centers and nurseries. If you have good gardening soil available, you can mix up your own potting soil using a potting soil recipe (see Resources).

References

• Fine Gardening Magazine: Soil in Containers Should Be a Good Mix
• Gardeners.com: Gardener's Supply Company

Resources

• Fine Gardening Magazine: Potting Soil Recipes
• Gardeners.com: Soil Mixes