Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
How do you know if your soil is free of contaminants? You will not. This is where you
have to consider the source of the potted soil. If most soil is roughly one price and you find
another soil at a drastic reduction, be leery: it might not be good quality.
Another concern is how clean the soil is. Sounds crazy, but soil can be littered with the
seeds of weeds. Once you place it in your containers and water it, you are nurturing
everything that is packed into the soil—both good and bad. Weeds are far better at growth
and spreading than the fruits and vegetables you have planted.
If you want one more way to check bagged soil, check the ingredients list. This gives the
components that make up the soil. Some are good and need to be there, while others are
just fillers. Do some research and be familiar with which ones you want to include in your
purchase.
One final note: take a look at the bag to determine what type of plants the manufacturer
recommends using the soil for. Some are better formulated for flowers, while others are
best when used with vegetables. Likewise, some formulas are not recommended for specif-
ic types of plants at all.
Some people try to cut the expense by adding their own dirt to potting soil. This is not
recommended. While you know what is in the potting soil, you have no idea about the con-
tent of your dirt. You might be taking clean, fresh potting soil and mixing it with yard dirt
contaminated with all sorts of undesirable materials.
3. Tools
Besides dirt, there are a few key items you need to make your container garden a reality.
Gloves:
While these aren't necessarily considered mandatory by some, they are still a good
idea. Since you cannot be completely sure what the soil you are putting your hands in con-
tains, it seems like a safe approach.
PH testing kit:
A simple test that could mean a world of difference in rewards.
Hand trowel:
This is going to be your closest companion. You cannot effectively plant and
maintain a container garden easily without a hand trowel.
Watering can:
The easier it is to fill and empty onto a plant, the better. But nothing too
heavy or hard to maneuver.
