Neil from Struthers: I want to grow vegetables in containers and raised beds this year. But I’m confused about what kind of soil I should use — soil, garden soil or potting mix? Can you help?

David: Neil, that’s a good question. There are differences between soil, potting mix and garden soil that are important to know. In general, these differences can be described as below.

Soil

Soil is the natural material found in the ground, composed of minerals, organic matter and microorganisms. It is dense and can become waterlogged, making it less suitable for container gardening. It is frequently called topsoil. Soil can be and is used in raised beds but may need to be amended to make it less dense and drain better.

Potting Soil or Potting Mix

Potting mix is a sterile, soilless medium designed for growing plants in containers and germinating seeds. Potting mixes are typically made of ingredients like sphagnum peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir and, sometimes, compost or bark. Because of their composition they have excellent drainage and aeration for plants in pots and containers, preventing root rot and compaction.

Garden mix or Garden Soil

This is a blend of soil and organic matter used to improve the quality of existing garden soil, often in raised beds or in-ground planting. It typically includes topsoil or sand mixed with compost, aged bark and/or manure. It is sometimes used to amend soil/topsoil to improve structure and drainage.

I would suggest using potting soil/mix in any container. Potting soil can be more expensive than the other types, so add some compost to make it go a little further. You should be able to get compost wherever you get potting soil. Always moisten a potting mix/soil with water before using it in containers. You want the medium damp but not dripping wet. Do this because the organic materials become hydrophobic or water-repellent when dry.

For your raised beds you didn’t say if they were filled or not. If they are already filled, I suggest a soil test to determine the soil’s condition for growing vegetables before adding anything to it. The OSU Mahoning County Extension Office can test your soil. There are also commercial test labs you can use. Make sure they test for soil fertility. If you get your soil tested by the extension office, the extension office can go over the test results with you if you have any questions.

If your raised beds aren’t filled, a 50-50 mixture of topsoil and compost is a good combination to start with. You can grow your vegetables in this combination this season, fertilizing the vegetables according to their recommendations. After the growing season, have the raised beds’ soil tested. Fall also is a good time to test the soil and add any recommended amendments.

Thanks for your question.

Sprague is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.