Retain by Rain Soil – 22 Oz – Water Holding Polymer Crystals Soil Additive – Store Up to 7 Gallons of Water for House & Garden Plants, Hanging Baskets – Reduce Watering Frequency . This provides the right balance between too dry and too moist for your plants. The organic ingredients contain microorganisms and nutrients essential for plant growth. Getting the right combination of sun, air, soil and water will keep the natural balance of your soil in check. That is something you should keep an eye on when choosing or creating your potting soil. If potting soil is too loose, water drains through the too quickly. For instance, sphagnum peat moss can hold 20 times its weight in water. Use this soil mixture for your potted plants. Some potting mediums contain amendments, including fertilizers or additives that help retain moisture, such as water-retaining crystals. See another post on the differences between Perlite and Vermiculite as soil additives. Starting with a fine soil mix is a big must. As well as improving water retention by incorporating organic matter, the water-wise gardener redoubles his or her efforts to lock in the wet stuff once the ground is moist; a decent mulch will see to this. Planting your own containers can save big money on the budget. It also makes it hard for the roots to absorb nutrients. Can I use these? See product label for more details. They also help retain moisture. Compost should make up no more than 1/3 of a potting mix. Mix 2 to 3 inches of organic material into the top 6 inches of soil using a spade. Many plants cannot grow in saline soil as the soil prevents water absorption. Whether it’s used for outdoor containers or indoor houseplants, a soil mix that both drains well yet retains moisture is the primary goal of good potting soil. Though often called “potting soil”, the mixes you purchase at your landscape supply store do not contain soil at all. If soil is too clay-ish or compacted, it will make it hard for a plant’s root system to expand. Note: Soil Moist must be incorporated into the soil at the root level of the plant/green good. In areas where city water is costly or limited, this is especially a problem. $17.99 8oz Small Instant Water Storing Crystals Soil Moist Quencher for Crickets Roaches Worms etc … 4.5 out of 5 stars 104. There are no shortage of weeds in our garden. Show it some love and it will reward you with bigger, better harvests! If possible, it would be best to use partially decomposed wood chips, which will be taken into the soil quicker to help feed the soil and ultimately your plants." Add an Olla . Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Typically, potting soil contains organic matter like peat moss, compost and worm castings; something to create air pockets and improve drainage, such as vermiculite, perlite or rice hulls; and some contain moisture-retaining crystals or coconut coir . This will improve the quality of dry, sandy soil. Potting soils that contain moisture-holding polymers, such as Moisture Control Miracle Grow, do the exact opposite of what potting soils are supposed to do, which is to retain just the perfect amount of moisture to keep roots moist but also to drain extremely well so that any excess water, including excess liquid fertilizer can drain out the bottom of the pot. Some manufacturers will add other ingredients to the potting soil, but not always. One obvious way to conserve soil moisture is to remove any weeds, particularly deep-rooted perennial weeds. Add a healthy scoop of vermiculite to the potting soil of plants that like lots of water. The e-mail does not appear to be correct. 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