Soil Basics

The single most important thing to know about container soil: never use garden soil in pots. It compacts, drains poorly, and suffocates roots. Instead, use a quality potting mix. I like ones with perlite, peat or coir, and vermiculite. For vegetables, add a slow-release organic fertilizer at planting time. Refresh your potting mix every season, because by the end of summer it is compacted and depleted. You do not have to replace it entirely. I usually mix about one-third fresh potting mix with two-thirds of the old stuff and it is good to go.