Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, understanding the foundation of plant health—soil—is crucial.
Many people use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but in gardening and agriculture, they are very different things.
Let’s break it down and then explore how to create your own nutrient-rich soil using trusted methods like Mel’s Mix, potting mix, and other popular soil-building techniques.
From compost to fertilizer to coconut coir, I will walk through my recommended amendments for you to make your garden’s best nutrient-rich soil.
Let’s get started!
Soil vs. Dirt: What’s the Difference?
1. Soil: A complex ecosystem made up of minerals, organic matter, living organisms (like microbes and fungi), air, and water.
- Function: It supports plant life by supplying nutrients, anchorage, and moisture.
- Structure: Healthy soil has texture (sand, silt, clay), structure (the arrangement of soil particles), and living components (bacteria, fungi, earthworms).
- Ecosystem: Soil is alive—it sustains billions of organisms that help break down organic matter and cycle nutrients.
2. Dirt: Dirt is displaced soil. It lacks structure and life.
- Function: It has little to no use in gardening because it’s typically depleted of nutrients and organic matter.
- Examples: Dust on a windowsill, soil tracked indoors, or the dry, compacted stuff in construction zones.
Think of soil as a thriving, productive medium and dirt as a lifeless remnant of it.
What is Potting Mix (AKA Potting Soil)?
Despite the common use of the term “potting soil”, most commercial bags are actually soilless. They contain no real soil or dirt. Instead, they’re blends of organic and inorganic materials designed to meet the unique needs of container-grown plants.
Common Ingredients:
- Peat Moss or Coconut Coir: For moisture retention
- Perlite or Vermiculite: Improves drainage and aeration
- Compost or Bark Fines: Adds nutrients and texture
- Slow-Release Fertilizers or Worm Castings: Optional but beneficial
Is Potting Mix the Same as Potting Soil?
- Technically, yes: Stores use the terms interchangeably.
- Practically, no: Neither usually contains actual soil. “Potting soil” is a misnomer for what’s really a custom-blended mix tailored for potted plants.
Is Potting Mix the Same as Potting Soil?
- Technically, yes: The terms are used interchangeably in stores.
- Practically, no: Because neither usually contains actual soil. “Potting soil” is a misnomer for what’s really a custom-blended mix tailored for potted plants.
When to Use Potting Mix:
- Ideal for container gardening or indoor plants
- Not the best choice for large raised beds due to cost and water-holding capacity
How to Make Your Own Soil
Creating your own soil gives you full control over quality, cost, and sustainability.
Here are the top methods I recommend:
Method 1: Mel’s Mix (From Square Foot Gardening)
Ingredients (by volume):
- 1/3 Peat Moss or Coconut Coir: Moisture retention
- 1/3 Vermiculite: Aeration and drainage
- 1/3 Blended Compost: Nutrient source
Use compost from at least five different sources for a broad nutrient range (e.g., leaf mold, worm castings, mushroom compost, cow manure, green waste).
Ideal For:
- Raised beds, especially in square-foot gardens
Pros:
- Balanced, low-maintenance, weed-free
- Great texture and fertility for vegetables and flowers
Cons:
- Initial cost (mainly from vermiculite)
- Peat moss is unsustainable (coir is the eco-friendlier choice)
Method 2: Best Soil Mix for Raised Bed Gardens
If you want an affordable and effective raised bed mix, try this:
DIY Raised Bed Mix (By Volume):
- 50% high-quality compost (multiple sources)
- 30% coconut coir or peat moss (for moisture control)
- 20% perlite or coarse sand (for drainage)
Add:
- A handful of worm castings per square foot for microbial life and nutrients
- Rock dust or greensand for trace minerals (optional but great long-term)
This mix is perfect for vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and it’s easy to refresh each year by topping with more compost and mulch.
Method 3: Lasagna Gardening (Sheet Composting)
Layer organic materials directly into the bed to create soil in place.
Layers:
- Cardboard/newspaper
- Browns (dry leaves, straw)
- Greens (kitchen scraps, grass)
- Finished compost
- Optional layer of soil for immediate planting
Ideal For:
- In-ground beds
- Soil-building over time
Do I Need to Fertilize a Homemade Soil Mix?
Homemade soil mixes, especially those made with compost, often start out nutrient-rich. But depending on what you’re growing, compost might not be enough to sustain plants over time. Especially heavy feeders like tomatoes, squash, and corn.
So, Is Compost Enough?
It depends on:
- Whether you’re growing in containers or in the ground
- The quality and variety of the compost
- The nutrient needs of the plant
If you’ve used:
- Multiple compost sources (e.g., worm castings, leaf mold, manure): you’re starting off strong
- Store-bought compost only: may be lower in diversity and microbial life
- Compost only, no fertilizer: great for leafy greens, but you may need to supplement for fruiting crops
How to Fertilize a Homemade Soil Mix
Here’s how to keep your soil productive through the season, especially in raised beds and container gardens, where nutrients are used up more quickly.
1. Add Slow-Release Fertilizers at Planting Time: These provide a steady supply of nutrients over weeks or months.
Examples:
- Granular organic fertilizer (like Espoma Garden-Tone or Dr. Earth)
- Pelletized chicken manure
- Compost + worm castings blend
Tip: Mix into the top 4 – 6 inches of soil before planting.
2. Top-Dress During the Season: Apply compost or fertilizer around plants a couple times during the season.
What to Use:
- A thin layer (½ – 1 inch) of compost
- A handful of worm castings
- A dusting of kelp meal, alfalfa meal, or rock phosphate
This keeps soil organisms fed and nutrients available without disturbing roots.
3. Use Liquid Fertilizers for Quick Boosts
Especially helpful for containers or when plants look pale or sluggish.
Organic Options:
- Compost Tea: Made by steeping compost in water for 24 – 48 hours
- Fish Emulsion: High in nitrogen, great for leafy growth
- Seaweed Extract: Rich in micronutrients and helps with plant stress
Apply every 1 – 2 weeks during the growing season.
Thanks for reading along, guys!
If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out my other gardening blog posts:
- How to Start a Garden on a Budget for Under $100
- Essential and Nice-to-Have Garden Products for Your Perfect Setup
- My Garden Setup: 3 Best Garden Containers for Every Gardener
- Understanding Garden Light and Shade: A Simple Guide
- How to Build a Homemade Trellis Using Cattle Panel
Be sure to follow me on social media for daily content and instructional videos about gardening!
Jeff has a deep passion for gardening. Each year, he cultivates hundreds of pounds of vegetables—along with the occasional fruit—turning his garden into a thriving and productive space. Combined with Kyrié’s cooking, together, they create exciting meals using Jeff’s harvest.
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