Most of us care about ingredients. We read a label to know whether we’re buying a soup with noodles or one with beans, yet the process is less straightforward when we’re picking potting mix.
But why use a bagged product at all? Don’t plants just need soil to grow? For containers, the answer is no. Elevating plants changes everything. Surrounded by air, containers dry out fast. They lack vertical space for water to drain, organisms to release nutrients, and an established soil structure to support root growth. To manage these artificial conditions, we need potting mixes specifically designed to support and nurture container plants.
Reading labels is just the start
Potting mixes can include many different ingredients to meet basic plant needs. Historically, commercial mixes relied on peat moss for water retention, an ingredient with major environmental and climate change impacts. Today, alternatives that substitute agricultural by-products, such as coconut coir, as water retainers are more readily available.
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Gardener's Log Book from NYBG
This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features:
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A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
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