Vegetable Garden Soil 101:

So, you’re looking for the best vegetable garden soil for your new garden – where to even start, with so many choices? In this article, we look to outline a few different considerations, to guide you in the right direction, and ensure your garden’s success! By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to choose the best soil type for vegetables and for your garden. Let’s get started.

 

Why Choose a Container Garden?

A container garden is the best way to grow vegetables in soil for those with limited outdoor space. They offer maximum control, allowing you to move plants as necessary according to your vegetable needs.

They can be held indoors or outdoors depending on the season. Essentially, a vegetable garden in a planter can be put just about anywhere, as long as your plants are receiving adequate light.

 

What Containers Should I Use?

It’s a matter of personal preference as long as you keep a few guidelines in mind.

• Try to avoid dark-colored containers if your garden will be outdoors. They may be attractive, but they absorb a lot of heat from the sun and can dry out your soil and destroy beneficial microorganisms.
• Terracotta, ceramic or cloth-based planters are excellent for root aeration. When you are using a high-quality soil, oxygen will also keep helpful microbes thriving and healthy.
• Select planter(s) as large as your space will allow. More space means more substantial root growth and more vigorous plants.
• Choose planters that allow for adequate drainage, or modify your pots or planters for this purpose.

 

What is the Best Soil for a Vegetable Garden?

The best soil for vegetables grown in containers, especially for those who wish to grow them by organic standards, is a living soil like SoHum Living Soils®. Our organic soil was explicitly designed for this type of gardening and contains all requirements for vegetables including micronutrients, macronutrients, natural organic material, beneficial microorganisms and natural pH buffers.

No artificial additives are ever needed with our gardening soil, simply water your plants, give them adequate light and watch them grow.

 

 

How To Maintain an Attractive Container Garden

• Do not overwater! The beneficial microbes in your living soil and your root systems need plenty of oxygen. Water your vegetables when the top inch of your planter is dry.
• Be on the lookout for pests. If your area is heavily trafficked with deer, rabbits and other rodents, consider elevating your planters or moving it indoors to grow under artificial light
• Be patient. It can be tempting to harvest as soon as you recognize a vegetable, but waiting a week or two may make a tremendous difference in your yield.

 

Be Creative with Your Garden

A garden can be a beautiful work of art. Since using our soil means you won’t be spending your time mixing it, fertilizing or maintaining acidity, so you can spend more time making an attractive vegetable garden that reflects your style. Choose a planter or a pot you find attractive and spend time organizing and decorating them to your liking.

Also, experiment with maximizing your available garden space: Cherry tomatoes and herbs grow well in hanging pots, which are more attractive at eye level and can double your grow area. A window box full of snap peas, lettuce or herbs would be lovely outside of a kitchen window

This type of garden can be practical, beautiful and a fun way to grow vegetables indoors or with limited outdoor space. So long as you are patient, attentive and use SoHum Living Soils® as your growing medium, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.