The Walmart soil is very dense and not for delicate seedlings. You'd be better spending a little more and investing in a big bag of the higher quality stuff. I hate recommending brands so I just say, if you can lift a big bag of it, and put it in the cart: It's light and right. If you can't do it, it's a big slab of BAD!

Heavy soil usually means cheap and dense ingredients that will turn rock hard and won't probably air to the roots of your seedlings. Light soil means that the soil is full of air when dry which is good!

Personally, I don't recall ever having a problem with Walmart soil, but my experiences are not everyone else's. The only soil that I do not recommend is the soil available at the dollar stores. This soil may cost a dollar a bag but in comparison to larger volume bags of soil found at nurseries the price is too high per pound. Also, the quality is extremely inconsistant and not reliable.

T

There is a nursery near where I work that specializes in larger plants - trees, shrubs - and the owner does a lot of landscape installation. It's not the usual big box garden center with little 6 pack annuals trucked in. I went there and asked the owner for advice on soil to start seeds. He sells me big bags (50 pounds or so) of a special mix that is sterile and contains no fertilizers. It is very fluffy and light but wets down easily. I had NO weeds at all in my containers last winter and a very good germination rate. All it says on the bag is "Mark III" and I have no idea where he gets it so I'm not being very helpful. But maybe you could also check with a local plantsman who knows his stuff and get a line on a similar product.

I use promix and love it. Nothing else works as well for me.
I buy big compressed bales of it and price is reasonable.

I have used the Walmart (green bags?) soil without any problems. Also have used Miracle Grow but found lots of sticks in the bags as well as weed germination. My favorite is ProMix. This fall our H Depot had the ProMix on sale so have I now have lots of bales ready for wintersowing.

I also used the compressed bales of Pro-Mix. When I ran out I did use some Miracle Grow which seemed to work OK, but it doesn't seem to me that it drains very well when soaked. The Pro Mix seems to drain better after spring monsoon rains.

The only thing I find difficult about the Pro-Mix is the initial wetting.

Karen

I use miracle grow potting soil with a little perlite mix in. Drains very well for me and works great.
Duane