Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth.

Soil provides many services and many products. The plants that are grown in soil can be used for food, clothing, recreation, aesthetics, building materials, medicines, and more. The minerals that make up soil particles can be used for dyes, make-ups, and medicines, or shaped into bricks, plates, and vases.

Soil is made up of mineral particles, organic matter (living and non-living), water and air.

Uses of soil

• Soil is made up of many minerals (the inorganic particles in soils that weather from rocks).
• The plants that are grown in soil can be used for food, clothing, recreation, aesthetics, building materials, medicines etc.
• Soil has vital nutrients for plants.
• Soil is an important part of the building process.

Functions of Soil in the Global Ecosystem medium for plant growth, regulator of water supplies, recycler of raw materials, habitat for soil organisms, and.

Because of its makeup, soil has a variety of uses in a variety of industries.

• Agriculture. Soil has vital nutrients for plants.
• Building. Soil is an important part of the building process.
• Pottery. Clay soil is used in making ceramics, or pottery.
• Medicine. Soil is commonly used in antibiotics.
• Beauty Products.

Soil pollution can have a number of harmful effects on ecosystems and human, plants and animal health. Soil pollution can also cause neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system, headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash.

Humans use soil as a holding facility for solid waste, filter for wastewater, and foundation for our cities and towns. Finally, soil is the basis of our nation’s agroecosystems which provide us with feed, fiber, food and fuel.

There are three main types of soil: sand, silt, and clay. The best soil for most plants to ensure optimum growth is a rich, sandy loam. This soil is an even mixture of all three main types of soil.

The 7 Best Potting Soil

• Miracle-Gro Potting Mix.
• Black Gold SURRBG16QT Organic Potting Soil.
• Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Soil.
• Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix.
• Foxfarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil (Our Top Pick)
• Michigan Peat 5720 Garden Magic Potting Soil.
• Sun Bulb 5019 Better-Gro Orchid Bark.

Add Organic Matter. Organic matter is the single most important ingredient to improving any soil. It can make heavy clay soil drain better, easier to dig and not so hard or sticky. It can also help sandy soil hold together better and retain more moisture and nutrients.

Miracle-Gro supplies an enormous amount of nitrogen for plants so that they grow big, bushy, green, and fast. The problem with MG is that the nitrogen is derived from synthetic ammonium and water soluble nitrates, producing off-chemicals that are harmful to soil microbes, worms, and all other forms of life in the soil.

True potting soil is actually “soil-less.” Topsoil is for planting in the ground. Topsoil is sand or clay (ground-up rocks) mixed with organic materials such as compost. Potting soil is a mixture of peat moss and other organic materials such as composted sawdust.

Potting soil vs. potting mix: Though these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Potting soil may or may not contain soil, while potting mix is strictly a soilless medium. Potting mix is sterile, which makes it safer for plants because it doesn’t contain pathogens such as fungus or other diseases.

This no-dig planting method is the fastest way to a vegetable garden – a soil bag can be planted in under 60 seconds (I clocked it). Planting directly into a bag of topsoil is also easy and convenient. At first glance, this may look like a less-than-organic approach, what with the plastic and all.

Potting soil can be mixed with garden soil for particular cases such as raised beds, but it’s not a good mix for containers. Learn more about these different types of soil and how to use them in various types of gardens.

For container gardening, both indoor and outdoor potted plants, as well as seed starting, use only potting mixes. Their special combination of ingredients ensures that the mix retains moisture and won’t compact so there is enough air space for tender roots to grow.

Materials. Potting soil alternatives are made from a variety of blended materials. Such ingredients include mosses like peat or sphagnum moss, rocks and minerals like calcined clay, vermiculite, sand or perlite.

While it’s not true for every houseplant, potting mix is generally the better option. This contains a growth medium such as fine bark, vermiculite, perlite, and/or peat moss. Air and water can easily travel and drain, allowing the roots to develop and the plant to grow healthy.

A standard recipe for a homemade soilless mix consists of half sphagnum peat moss and half perlite or vermiculite. To mix ½ bushel basket or four gallons of media: Start by pouring two gallons of peat moss into the bushel basket. Add two gallons of either perlite or vermiculite and mix thoroughly.

Most potting soil you buy in a garden center are comprised of three basic ingredients: peat moss, pine bark, and either perlite or vermiculite (to provide air space).

Potting soils are technically “soil-less” mixes that most commonly contain peat moss or choir, vermiculite, and perlite. While these components have great qualities that are required for container gardening, none of them have any nutrients for plants; therefore, fertilizer must be added.

Compost is generally a good additive to potting mix.

Adding peat moss will improve the soil texture and adds organic matter. Working in perlite or coarse sand improves drainage. A good mix for your pots is one part each of garden soil, peat moss, and either perlite or coarse sand. To kill some of the pathogens and weed seeds in garden soil, sterilize it in the oven.

Although potting soils may be used to start seeds, they tend to have a more coarse texture and may contain field soil, compost or composted manure along with vermiculite, peat moss or perlite. Although this may be an inconvenience, few seeds will be viable if the soil has been pasteurized.