When you look at the root system of a Bonnie plant, you’ll find a “soil” mix that grows healthy roots. You may be surprised that it is not real soil from the earth—it is a potting mix (also called potting soil) made from composted bark, peat moss, and other ingredients that do not include earthen soil.
For your potted plants to grow a healthy root system, you must use good potting mix. Don't cut corners. This mix is nice and fluffy.
Why? Consider the artificial growing environment in a pot. Potted plants are watered daily and roots need to fill the pot. Garden soil would compact under those conditions, inhibiting root growth, and it would probably introduce insects and diseases, too.
A good potting mix is one that is fluffy, holds moisture, and gives plant roots the perfect balance of air, moisture, nutrition, and anchor. Roots need air, as well as water, to grow. If the potting mix is too dense or too wet, plant roots will be stunted or even die. To avoid problems, you must use a good potting mix.
The potting mix industry grew from the need of professional growers, like us, to grow healthy plants in containers for folks like you. The first commercial mixes were developed decades ago. Over time the products improved and became available to home gardeners so that now your favorite garden center probably sells several potting mixes or potting soils (the names are interchangeable). We suggest that you buy a high-quality potting mix for best results. Buying cheap potting soil is one of those times when a bargain may not be a bargain. Poor potting soils often contain muck or sedge peat, sand, and actual dirt, and may be heavy from lots of water.
How do you recognize quality? Read the label and look for quality ingredients such as sphagnum peat moss (not sedge peat), aged bark (or composted forest products), perlite, vermiculite, lime, and a wetting agent (helps soil stay uniformly moist). Other ingredients might be gypsum, peat humus, and compost. Optional ingredients include moisture-holding polymer and fertilizer. A few even include pesticides; avoid those for vegetables and herbs. Products labeled “bagged topsoil” and “compost” are cheaper, but reserve them for working into the ground, not for pots. In a pot, where watering happens often and plant roots need to fill the container, you need a lighter medium.
What about mixes with fertilizer included? Some potting mixes include just enough fertilizer to give plants a charge when they’re starting. Mixes designed to feed for several months run out sooner in hot weather with frequent watering. You can add time-released granules or try a soluble fertilizer such as the green jug of Bonnie Herb & Vegetable Plant Food.
A good potting medium will hold water without letting it puddle up or drain completely through. Test the soil to see how well it drains.
One way to test a soil is to see how it drains. When soil is placed in a pot and watered, the water should start draining out within five to ten seconds. If the soil becomes soupy or water drips out slowly, you’ve chosen the wrong soil.
You can look for products certified by The Mulch and Soil Council, a voluntary program assuring certain standards. Several of the major brands of potting soils participate in this. For details about standards and a list of certified products, visit www.mulchandsoilcouncil.org and look for “product certification.” Don’t discount your favorite soil just because it is not certified. This program is voluntary. However, it gives inexperienced gardeners or those with doubts about their soil some basis for judging.
Obviously, we want you to use the best soil possible because good soil and good plants are key ingredients of successful gardens.
l make my compost with fruit and vegetable skins,coffee grinds,and whatever scraps l may have,mixed with peat moss,and a dash of lime,let it forment and use it . how does that sound?
I am just frail elderly senior citizen, born and raised on a farm, and love to grow veggies etc in pots in my yard. My Daddy used to grow Shallots in his garden each year. I can’t seem to find any. I live close to Walmart South of Dothan, and buy from them some of your plants from time to time. I wonder if you have Shallots? Or know what I might find some? Thank you so very much. I have some beautiful green lettuce growing in an old storage box on my porch and recently planted in the same box some Basil and dill. In other boxes, I bought your plants from Walmart and raised plenty of tomatoes and hot peppers on my front porch. That is about all I am able to do. Thank for the info, if you know where I might find some Shallots.
Hi Nita,
We’re so glad you’re enjoying your garden and Bonnie plants. We do not carry shallots but offer many onion varieties, including leeks. We always like to hear what plants our customers are interested in growing, so we’ll put shallots on our list to consider. Thank you!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants
I also would love shallots
When I buy your plants at the store, they look really strong and healthy. Can you share with us what’s in your potting mix? I’ve tried various commercial brands, but have not been satisfied with them. If I could use the same kind of mix you use, perhaps I’d have better plants.
Thanks and best regards,
Carlos
Hi Carlos,
Thanks for the compliment! Our potting mix is especially created for us on a larger, commercial scale and isn’t something available to consumers in store. It is formulated specifically for keeping plants and our biodegradable pot in the best condition before coming home to your garden. You’d benefit best from a high-quality potting soil that has a great balance of sphagnum peat moss, compost, peat humus or even aged compost. Also try our natural plant food in the Little Green Jug!
~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
I’ve tried just about every commercial brand I can find, but I find them too heavy, without enough breathing room for the roots. I thought if I knew what’s in yours, and the correct ratios of ingredients, I could buy the individual ingredients and mix my own. I already use your fertilizer, and it really makes a difference. I used to use cotton seed meal, but it’s become difficult to find. So the only problem I have yet to solve is the potting mix.
I just discovered your website and I’m enjoying the comments and the information on gardening if very helpful. Thanks, Espy
Hi, I’m a novice gardener making only a container garden and love your plants. Do you recommend I use some rocks in the bottom of my planters (I’m using cedar planters) before I add the potting mix, to allow for more drainage? I’m growing 2 varieties of peppers(pot 1), yellow squash, japanese eggplant(pot2), sweet mint, basil and italian parsley(pot 3) Thanks, Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Yes, you can use rocks to help with drainage and reduce the amount of soil you need, however, this can make your pots very heavy. Another suggestion is to use plastic plant pots turned upside down in the bottom of the pot. Our pots are biodegradable, of course, but maybe you have plastic ones from other planting? I hope this helps.
Happy growing!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants