Potting Soil

    This is the first time I use only potting soil (found during dumpster diving), also known as soiless soil in my garden.

WHAT IS POTTING SOIL?

Potting soil, also known as potting mix, is comprised of various ingredients that provide a healthy environment for potted plants to grow. These mixes are designed to keep the soil from becoming too compacted, which can suffocate roots and impede the flow of water and nutrients. A high-quality potting mix will be lighter weight and fluffy, with the ability to hold moisture. There are many different types of all-purpose blends, as well as more specialized mixes.

There are several basic components that may be included in your potting soil:

Organic plant or animal-based materials comprise the primary ingredients. These can include sphagnum peat moss, rice hulls, processed forest products such as aged or composted bark, manure, compost, bat guano, poultry litter, or earthworm castings. Coconut coir, a renewable resource made from coconut husks, is increasingly being used as a substitute for peat moss, which is less sustainable.

Inorganic natural materials help to provide aeration, improve drainage, and retain moisture. These include perlite, vermiculite, pumice, sand, or cinders. (See below for more on the difference between perlite and vermiculite.)

Fertilizers, which are the primary source of nutrients, can be all-purpose time-release fertilizers, synthetic blends or nutrient-dense organic amendments such alfalfa meal, bone meal, and kelp meal. Avoid potting mixes that contain chemical fertilizers, especially if you are growing edibles.

Other additives may include lime to balance pH levels, beneficial microbes, and wetting agents to help retain moisture. Some brands have their own patented additives.

- Above information is extracted from https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/potting-soil.html

    Previously I would buy 1 bag of potting soil and 1 bag of garden soil to mix and use for my plants such as aloe vera, flowering plants, chilli and bitter gourd plants as well.

    I used potting soil(picture above)to grow my edibles, currently Bayam (Green), more commonly known as Chinese spinach. From my experience, it is very suitable to grow vegetables for these reasons:

•  Light-weight
• Does not compact easily and easy to loosen when needed.
• Retains water well
• Easy to pull out the grown vegetables

    Obviously, potting soil is not suitable for places with strong wind and rain since pots will be blown away. For bigger or taller rooted plants, the soil does not hold well so the plant may be uprooted by strong wind as well.