I recently started gardening to grow Marigolds and mixed 1 part soil with 1 part organic compost in 4-inch pots. After moistening the mix, I watered it until it started to drip from the bottom, but it ended up becoming soggy and muddy. My soil is quite clay-like, but I thought mixing it with compost would help. Can someone explain what went wrong? Did I overwater it, or is it the soil quality?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with a fine soil mix that retains too much water. When starting seeds, it's usually better to keep the medium just damp, not soaking wet. Using chunkier potting mix can help by creating air pockets for better water drainage. Don't stress too much, gardening is a learning process! There are plenty of tips and experiences shared online, so take some time to explore those other threads too! Good luck with your Marigolds!
It sounds like aeration could be the issue. Try adding materials like lava rock, pumice, rice hulls, or perlite to your mix. They help improve drainage and keep the soil from becoming too compacted. Good luck!
Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the advice! I don't have any chunkier mix, unfortunately—my compost and soil are both finely sifted. What else can I try? I even tried misting it, but it seemed like the soil just didn't absorb the water and ended up sticky and overly wet.