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 dense to use in a pot or raised bed. Instead, for containers, you'll want to use potting mix (also called potting soil), a lightweight and fluffy alternative. For raised beds, you'll want to use a blend of potting mix and garden soil.

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 soil means you don't have to worry about any diseases or bugs lurking in the ground, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting roots. For extra protection against over- and under-watering your plants, Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix is an excellent choice.

Whether deep or shallow, raised beds give a gardener a way to create ideal soil conditions on an even larger scale. While potting mix alone is too light for use in raised beds, creating a 50:50 blend of potting mix and Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Garden Soil will give just the right balance.

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 and 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. 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.