I'm new to gardening and recently bought some pansies, rosemary, and thyme to plant in pots on my patio. When I went to Home Depot for soil, the staff recommended Scott's Premium Garden Soil, and I figured they knew best. However, this soil has a strange odor and seems really dense, holding too much water. I later noticed it says on the back that it's not meant for pots. Should I go ahead and buy proper potting soil and replant everything? The smell is off-putting, and I want to enjoy my time outside without worrying about it, even if the plants seem okay for now.
2 Answers
It's a little strange that the garden center suggested garden soil for pots. Generally, you should use potting soil, like Miracle-Gro or an organic option, since they’re designed for container gardening. Those soils typically smell a bit when you first open them, but the odor should fade quickly. If you're planning on using the herbs in your cooking, I'd definitely recommend switching to potting soil for better drainage and overall plant health!
I agree with others that it's odd they recommended garden soil instead of potting soil. Potting mixes are formulated for containers and will give your plants a much better environment to grow. Given that the soil has a funny smell and feels too dense, I’d suggest replanting with a quality potting mix to enjoy your plants without any worries!
Exactly! It’s better to fix it now rather than risk your plants struggling later.
Yeah, it seems like a mistake on their part. Switching to proper potting soil will definitely help your plants thrive!