What is Planting Soil?

Planting soil is soil that has been specially prepared for planting. It contains the nutrients necessary for plants to thrive, and its pH balance has been adjusted to be suitable to the types of plants which will be grown in it. It is possible to purchase planting soil from garden supply stores, and also to prepare your own. There are a number of sources for planting soil. People with poor soil or contaminated soil may choose to bring in a load of planting soil from an external source, removing the top layer of bad soil and replacing it with the planting soil. This can be a good idea when starting a garden from scratch, to ensure that plants have healthy soil to thrive in. The fresh soil also reduces the risk of disease, by removing soil which may have been contaminated by plant pests and diseases. Typically, planting soil is amended with compost and mulch to create a very rich, crumby soil which is highly suitable for growing plants. Additional minerals may be added to meet the needs ... more