Hey everyone, I'm new to gardening and have been using a mix of 70% top soil and 30% compost in my pots and beds, with some stones at the bottom for drainage. After watching some gardening shows, I'm starting to feel like top soil might not be ideal and that I should focus mainly on compost, adding grit for better drainage. How much grit should I be using? Should I just skip the top soil altogether? I'd love to hear from experienced gardeners on what works best!
3 Answers
It really depends on what you're growing! For plants like lavender that thrive in dry, stony environments, you'll definitely want extra drainage, so adding grit is a good idea. On the other hand, plants like astilbes love it wetter and won't benefit from extra grit. If you're unsure, start adding a bit of grit since it’s easier to water when needed than to fix waterlogged roots later. That's my two cents!
I just mix compost with grit for my pots and planters, skipping the layer of grit at the bottom entirely since I think it doesn’t actually aid drainage. I’ve had good results, but some folks stick to their ways and believe in that layer. Everyone has their methods, so do what feels right for your plants!
I get confused too! Some gardening centers say multi-purpose compost is fine for pots, while others suggest going with a mix of 80% top soil and 20% compost. It’s one of those debates where you could ask a hundred gardeners and probably get a hundred different answers. Just experiment a little and find what works for you!