Best Soil to Use in Containers and Raised Beds

Get your container or raised bed garden off to a strong start by using the right soil.

When growing plants in containers or raised beds, you need to pay special attention to the soil you use. Soil taken from your yard or a garden bed is too heavy and dense to use in a pot or raised bed. In containers and raised beds, soil from the ground can become easily compacted causing problems with drainage and air circulation, and it can also harbor weed seeds, insects, and diseases.

Plants in containers need a potting mix (also called potting soil), a lightweight and fluffy alternative to the soil from your yard or in-ground garden. For raised beds, you'll want to select a product that's closer to a 50/50 blend of potting mix and garden soil.

Choosing the Right Potting Mix

A potting mix like Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix creates the ideal growing environment for your plants, thanks to the right blend of materials that provide excellent drainage, space for airflow, and even a good dose of plant food to provide your plants with the nutrition they need. What's more, using new potting mix means you don't have to worry about any diseases or bugs lurking in the ground soil, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting roots.

For extra protection against over- and under-watering your container plants, Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix is an excellent choice. Organic growers may prefer Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix, our organic potting mix that's enriched with compost and quick-release natural fertilizer.

Choosing the Right Raised Bed Garden Soil

Whether deep or shallow, raised beds give a gardener a way to create ideal soil conditions on an even larger scale. Garden soil by itself is too dense and potting mix alone is too light for use in a raised bed. Creating a blend of both gives just the right balance, which is exactly what a raised bed soil from Miracle-Gro accomplishes.

While some people may enjoy creating their own soil blend, if you prefer to have the work done for you, use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil. This organic soil is the right weight for raised beds. Plus, it contains quick-release natural fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer that feeds plants for up to 2 months. Want to know more? Check out this guide, which even gives you guidance on how much you'll need for your raised bed project.

Helping Your Plants Flourish

Top-notch potting mix and raised bed soil may cost more than low-quality versions, but you really get what you pay for. Poor quality mixes and soils are often heavy, dense, and poor-draining, making it tough on roots. If roots aren't happy, plants won't flourish.

Speaking of flourishing, another way to keep your plants happy is to begin nourishing them a month after planting with Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food. Organic growers may prefer Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food, our organic granular plant food. Whichever product you choose, be sure to follow label directions!

For more information on growing your best garden, or the products that can help make that happen, click any of the links below.