I think I bought the wrong soil! HELP!!!

17 years ago

I was at WalMart this morning, with every intention of picking up enough soil for my first attempt at winter sowing...but once I got there, I couldn't remember what kind of medium I was supposed to get!

So, they had plenty of variety to choose from, but my eyes zoomed in on a pallet of bags marked "organic". I thought that would be a good choice, so I grabbed three (1 cubic foot) sacks of Miracle Gro's Organic Garden Soil...however, after checking this forum again, I see most people use potting mix!

Can some of you pros tell me if it will work, or should I go back for the potting mix? Acccccccccck!

Also, one more question--approximately how many 1-gallon milk jugs will a 2-cubic foot bag of potting mix fill?

Thanks in advance!

Susan in Kansas

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Comments (8)

nancy_drew
17 years ago
I think most of us use Miracle Grow Potting Mix. My guess is that it's cheaper than the organic stuff you got. You might want to exchange it.

I'm not sure how many jugs it might fill. I got the 64 quart size bag and I'm not sure I'll have enough left for my window boxes.
irisheyes66
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the quick response, Nancy!

Actually, the bags I bought were on sale for 1.95 each, whereas the MG Potting Mix was 7.95 for a 2 cu. ft. bag
*sigh*

Like a dork, I thought I was buying something "better", AND saving a few bucks in the process...it figures, I made a newbie error. Probably the first of many *giggle*

I'll probably hang onto them, maybe store them in the garage. One of the bags broke when I took it out of the trunk, so now all three are muddy and messy; I'm sure I'll find a use for the soil somewhere.

Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated!

Susan in Kansas
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bakemom_gw
17 years ago
Garden soil tends to be much heavier and more clay-like. Take em back and get potting soil and do it right. I am sure there are ways of amending it to make it more seed-friendly, but it's not worth it if it doesn't work.
sheltieche
17 years ago
most potting mixes are soiless, it is combination of peat, perlite, vermiculite etc. It is good because it is light and fluffy and seeds have good time growing their roots without restrain of heavy soil.
morz8 - Washington Coast
17 years ago
Ditto the above - Garden soil is too heavy for your containers, could inhibit good root development
greenbean08_gw
17 years ago
I'm just a bit behind you, but today I went to Wal-Mart, came home and intended to look up the product I saw at the store, but now I've forgotten the brand (it was something from Colorado, that's about all I remember). Well, that, and the 1.25 cubic foot bag conained 35 quarts. Hope that helps you some.

I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what to plant in. I'm doing some WS and some veggie starts under lights, and I'm looking for an organic option.

I feel your pain.
bigred
17 years ago
Lowes use to carry seed starting mix. Haven't been to Lowes in a while and looked since I mix all my own seed and potting mixes.

If you can't find anything lighter,try mixing some peat and perlite in with what you've already bought to make it lighter(peat) and better drainage(pelite).

Peggy

Peggy
christie_sw_mo
17 years ago
Susan - I did the same thing! I got excited when I saw that Wal-Mart had potting soil on clearance and didn't even notice that it was garden soil instead. I got the Expert brand though. I'll still use it when I plant stuff in the ground, but now I'll have to go back and get potting soil to use for my seeds.