5 best potting soils to buy in 2020 . Reviews and guide.
Soil products:
- Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 8 qt. Read review.
- Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Mix Read review
- Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil Fertilizer Enriched Organic 8 qt. Read review
- FoxFarm FX14000 Ocean Forest Plant Garden Potting Soil Read review
- Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix 4 Quarts Brown Free shipping Read review
Method of evaluation:
We will be evaluating the soil based on five factors based on our research
1. Growth potential
2. Soil resistance to pest and germs
3. PH sustainability of the soil
4.Nutrient content and retention.
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 8 qt.
Miracle-Gro potting soil contains 45%-55% processed forest products like sphagnum peat moss, processed softwood bark, peat, perlite, Coconut Coir, fertilizer and a wetting agent
Growth potential
One of the key buy areas of the miracle potting mix is the promise to grow your plants twice as big. Look at its fertilizer composition with Nitrogen ( 0.21%), Phosphorus( 0.11%), Soluble potash( 0.10%). Nitrogen helps in growth of leaves, stems and is also a major component of chlorophyll and other plant amino acids. Phosphorus is needed for ATP formation in plants, which is formed during photosynthesis and provides crucial energy for development to maturity. Potash is essential for water uptake in plants and synthesizing plant sugar for food.
4/5 stars
Nutrient content and retention.
With a good basic NPK fertilizer base that is friendly for plant growth and a 45%-55% organic material composition that provides a steady slow release of nutrients and it decomposes. The organic material also help to reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss (leeching) caused by rain or constant watering
4/5 stars
Soil resistance to pest and germs
Healthy soil with its own useful microorganisms can act as a deter growth of harmful pests , especially with the presence of organic materials which are food for the good microorganisms. However, there have some cases of gnats or their eggs found in the soil.
2.5/5 stars
PH sustainability
Sphagnum peat moss( PH 3.0 to 4.5), Peat moss (PH 4.4), Softwood park ( PH 3.5-4.5), Perlite ( PH 7- 7.5), Coconut Coir ( PH 6 -6.8 ). As the overall soil PH may lean slightly towards acidic nature, in the long run, if the user may want to refrain from using excessive chemical fertilizers and use organic fertilizers to help keep the soil more alkaline.
3/5 stars
Total score 13.5/20
Title : Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Mix
Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil Fertilizer Enriched Organic 8 qt.
FoxFarm FX14000 Ocean Forest Plant Garden Potting Soil
Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix 4 Quarts Brown Free shipping