The 411 on Soil Types

Get the dirt on dirt. Learn all about different types of soil.

Know Your Soil

Know Your Soil

Knowing your soil's characteristics will help you choose plants that will thrive in it.

Photo by: maggie / Shutterstock.com

maggie / Shutterstock.com

Knowing your soil's characteristics will help you choose plants that will thrive in it.

Related To:

It might seem strange to go out and buy soil for your garden. After all, there’s plenty of dirt in most backyards, and besides, a garden is simply a plot of earth where plants grow. But not all types of soil are created equal. 

The gardener in Florida knows that his sandy, gritty soil doesn’t hold enough moisture to give his thirsty vegetables an adequate drink, while the flower lover in Georgia practically needs a jackhammer to dig a hole in her hard, red clay.

Growers along the coast know the white coating on their ground signals a high salt content — and most plants don’t thrive in saline soils. Elsewhere, peaty soils are rich in organic matter, which is important for healthy plants, but peat is almost impossible to get wet again once it has dried out. (Peat is great, however, for amending other soils.)

But those are just some of the native soils found across the U.S. There are many other kinds of premixed soils we can buy for our gardens.

Starting From Seed

If you’re growing plants from seeds, your best bet is a soilless blend that contains perlite, vermiculite and/or peat moss. Some blends may contain bark or coir, a coconut fiber byproduct. Because these materials are heated to kill off any pathogens that might be hitchhiking with them, and they’re free of weed seeds, they’re great for starting fragile seedlings. Soilless mixes are also loose and porous, which helps tender roots grow.

Container Gardening

For container plants, including window boxes, pots, hanging baskets and planters, a high-quality potting mix is a good choice. Some potting mixes contain slow-release or water-soluble fertilizers, and moisture-controlling polymers that help you avoid under-watering or over-watering. Generally speaking, the more ingredients a mix contains, the higher the price. 

Specialty Soil

Specialty potting soils are available for plants that have special growing requirements, such as cacti, roses, veggies and herbs, orchids and African violets. A mix for African violets, for example, contains the right amount of lime to give these plants the slightly acidic soil they prefer. A cactus mix might combine sand and perlite for optimum drainage. 

You can make your own potting soil at home by combining good organic matter with various ingredients, depending on what you want to grow. One part sphagnum peat moss to one part vermiculite, for instance, makes a good seed-starting mix. But for most of us, it’s easier to buy what we need. Just be sure to read the bag of potting mix or soil, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and how to use it. 

Starting at ground level — that is, with the right soil — will help your plants thrive.

Next Up

How to Turn a Galvanized Tub Into a Raised Garden Bed

Turn a simple galvanized metal trough into a beautiful planter for a raised garden bed in just 12 easy steps.

25 Things You Can Compost (Some May Surprise You!)

Did you know you can compost hair, dryer lint and nail clippings along with your kitchen scraps? It’s not gross; rather, it helps amp up the quality of your garden soil.

How to Water Your Lawn the Right Way

Learn the ins and outs of lawn irrigation, including expert tips on how long to run the sprinkler.

Plant Hardiness Zones Explained

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their area. Find out what zone you're in and how to use that information to grow your best garden ever.

How to Design a Great Yard With Landscape Plants

Take the guesswork out of choosing landscaping plants by following "right plant, right place" garden design.

4 Ways to Convert Lawn to a Flower Bed

There are multiple methods for removing grass to create garden beds. Some are labor intensive while others just take time and patience. Here are four chemical-free ways to turn your lawn into your garden.

Types of Winter Squash

Raise your culinary sights by growing different types of winter squash. These nutritious vegetables boast delicious flavor.

How Often Do You Water New Sod?

Thorough watering is crucial to your new lawn’s ability to develop strong roots. We’ll help you develop a system to stay on top of the most important part of lawn care.

How to Use Seed Starting Containers Found at Home

Get some recommendations on what to use as bargain seed-starting containers.

The Reluctant Botanist

Learn about a wildflower that is a favorite for shade gardens and was also an ancient disease remedy.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.