In a container, the soil is the whole world your plant has. Garden soil compacts in pots, cheap mixes dry out or stay soggy, and nutrients wash out with every watering — so getting the growing medium and feeding right matters more than almost anything else.
This section covers DIY potting mixes, reusing old soil, balcony-friendly composting and worm bins, and how and when to fertilize container plants.
5 articles
The best fertilizer for tomatoes in pots depends on timing: slow-release or balanced feed early, then a high-potassium feed once fruit swells. Here's a simple schedule.
10 min read
The best soil to grow tomatoes in pots is a light soilless potting mix with some compost blended in. Here's a simple recipe, the right pH, and how much mix each pot needs.
11 min read
The best potting soil for vegetables is light, drains fast and still holds water. Here's how to read the bag, spot a poor mix and work out how much to buy.
10 min read
Can you reuse potting soil? Usually yes, if last season's plants were healthy. Here's when to discard it and how to refresh old mix with fresh mix or compost.
10 min read
How to make potting soil at home: what each ingredient does, three extension-based recipes for vegetables, herbs and seed starting, and how to mix a batch.
11 min read
