Potting Soil Suggestions?

[val2525]

For anyone in a dry (non-humid) climate, what potting soil do you use? I want to buy something that will maintain moisture, at least during the day. The cheap stuff dries out in a matter of hours in the summer here. Any suggestions? I asked at Lowes but the one by my house has a bunch of youngsters in the outside lawn and garden that are pretty clueless (seasonal manual labor and that's pretty much it).

[Deleted]

There was some stuff at Home Depot made by miracle grow. Let me check. I think it was a light blue bag.

We have the dry hot summers, too.

[val2525]

I bought some pansies at Walmart that were already potted and the soil is awesome. It holds the moisture for days. I know that it won't last that long in the summer, but I'd be happy if I only had to water once a day. The cheap stuff, I have to water a.m. and p.m. and it still dries out between waterings.

[Deleted]

Here:

www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-Moisture-Control-Potting-Mix-75578300/204502216

I haven't tried these, but did hear good things about them. They're watering crystals. www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-Water-Storing-0-75-lb-Crystals-100831/202563065?keyword=water+storing+crystals

[RetroMonde]

I've used that potting soil on our south-facing deck; it's hot as a pistol out there in the summer. It seemed to make a difference keeping the plants alive and I only had to water once a day.

[SA]

I used the watering crystals when we planted all of our flowers and plants last year.
I don't think you're supposed to but for potted materials in smaller pots, I missed it in with my soils and put a little at the bottom of the hole before I planted.

[SA]

PS-a little goes a loooooong way.

[val2525]

Apr 24, 2017 2:16:43 GMT SA said:

I used the watering crystals when we planted all of our flowers and plants last year.
I don't think you're supposed to but for potted materials in smaller pots, I missed it in with my soils and put a little at the bottom of the hole before I planted.

One review I read said she used a dowel to poke a tunnel in potted plants and added a small amount of the water crystal things.

[SA]

Yeah I saw that too. Great idea.
You can use baby diapers too. But I think the watering crystals are probably a less expensive idea LOL! I haven't priced out diapers in a long time, but even 15 years ago, they were expensive. But it's an alternative:
www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/using-diapers-in-containers.htm

[mupcycledcouture]

You can use the crystals, but in my experience they will only last 1 year, 2 tops, before needing replaced. And when you replace those you may end up replacing all your dirt as well, which can be expensive.

If you are using terracotta planters, paint them so they hold water longer. If you are using the bottom watering pots, make sure you use a soil less potting soil so the wicking action works.

[val2525]

The potted plants are outside and only last to the first hard frost, so it sounds like the crystals may outlive the plants. I did have one queen kimberly fern make it thru the winter and now has nice new growth. I was so surprised it survived that I named it Scrappy and I talk to it. I figured a plant that hardy deserved some attention

[mupcycledcouture]

Yes the crystals will outlive the plants, but do you want to be putting new soil in every single year? You also cant compost the soil.

If you are OK with dumping the soil into the trash every year or two and refilling the pot with both soil and crystals then that is what I would do.

If you want something more permanent, then use a soil-less potting soil.

The reason the little pots hold water so well is because the soil is designed to wick. It is mostly peat moss or coconut coir, wood free compost and perlite.

If you use a soil less medium, you can use the planters that water from the bottom.

I used the crystals once and they work well for your purpose. As long as you are aware that you have to replace them, and possibly the dirt, yearly.

[val2525]

LOL. I usually don't repot any plants. The only reason I'm repotting these is because I found some cute cheap containers that look better than the black commercial landscaper pots they're in now. They were distressed on clearance, usually I buy flowers already in decorative pots and they get tossed when the plants die at the end of the year. If I had a better area, I'd probably buy some nice planters and keep the soil like you're suggesting.

[mupcycledcouture]

Then the crystals are perfect for your purpose! LOL