Soil vs Potting Mix

via Dennis Patton Special to the Star
via Wild Valley Farms

via Adele Wilcoxen

Let's get started with the basics of gardening. Soil or potting mix. We've all been there trying to decide what soil to use in our yards, gardens or plants. But have you noticed there are many of different types of soil? It can become overwhelming and frustrating! Well I'm here to break it down for you and address the real issue of gardening. Soil vs Potting Mix. 

SOIL
via landscapeforlife.org

Let's get the first question out of the way. What exactly is soil? Soil is a mixture of sand, silt and organic matter that supports plant growth. Soil is not dirt. Plants grow in soil. There is a couple different options when it comes to choosing which soil is right for your needs! 

Top Soil

The first options is topsoil. Some topsoil brands have a mixture of a natural layer that has formed at the surface from rock, decomposition, wind and water movement. Or what you already have in your yards. Here at Wild Valley Farms we have a topsoil is that from farm ground and has been screened to create a premium consistent product that does not have any rock or other debris. Head over to our products page and check out our Topsoil!

Enriched Topsoil

Ok, here is the second option, enriched topsoil. Enriched topsoil is a mixture of topsoil and organic matter or compost. The organic matter in enriched topsoil helps improve the quality of the soil for better plant growth. Ours is called "SoftSoil". Our soft soil is perfect for your raised garden beds or anywhere you need a ton of packed nutrients! Gardens will thrive on the range of nutrients needed to maintain root health and give you that beautiful garden full of fruits and vegetables.

Now that we have broken down the difference between the two, how do you know which one to buy and when? If you are just looking to fill maybe some holes or spots in your yard, topsoil is your go to. If you are wanting to help your fruits grow and get all those pack nutrients, use enriched topsoil or Soft Soil. 

Soft Soil

$38.00

A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!

​Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load), and will cover about 162 sqft 2 inches deep.

Shop

Potting Mix

Now we are onto the other side of gardening. When and why to use potting mix.  Potting mix is used in container gardening, such as your big potter plants or the tiny seedling plants in your homes. The best quality potting mixes don't contain soil (dirt). We call it soil because that is what we grow plants in. Our intelli-soil is a special formulated growing mix that is ready to use in your raised garden beds, hanging baskets and outside pots! Who doesn't love a good ready to use mix? I know I do! Here are a couple cool facts about our intelli-soil! 

• Intelli-soil has the nutrition needed for the whole growing season so all you need to do is add water.
• Intelli-soil retains more water in the soil to help reduce watering needs by 25%.
• Intelli-soil will not compact with watering maintaining porosity for strong root development.

Nutri Wool Pot

$11.99

Nutri Wool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.  Nutri Wool pots will help air prune roots, and will hold water better than any other fabric pot.  Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.  

Shop

Intelli-Soil potting mix

$29.99

Intelli-soil is a premium potting mix that is made from Coir, Terra Zest, and Wool Pellets. Intelli-soil is light and fluffy and will hold 40% more moisture while maintaining good drainage for strong root development. Plants in Intelli-soil have gone up to 7 days before signs of wilt. Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.

Shop