Plant containers are a great way to integrate some personality into your garden. Plus, they’re really fun and easy to put together. But that doesn’t mean the process is super clear.
Determining “how much” of each material you need can sometimes be a little confusing. So let’s go ahead and clear up some of that confusion now, starting with the question, “How much planting mix should I use in my plant container?”
How big is your container?
First and foremost, how big is your plant container? Answer this question and you’re halfway there … sort of.
To determine how much planting mix to use in your plant container, you’ll need to calculate how big your container actually is — length X width X height. After you figure this out, you’ll need to calculate the volume of the container — and then if necessary, factor in percentages of different material (like fertilizer and compost).
It can get a little confusing, especially when you consider that a bag of planting mix is typically measured by pounds. If you don’t have a measuring scale handy, what are you supposed to do?
Don’t worry. We’ll have more on this in a moment.
What type of plant are you putting in the container?
After you figure out how much planting mix you need (sort of), then you’ll need to figure out what type of planting mix you need to use. This can also get a little convoluted.
There are different types of planting mix that vary based on what type of plant you’re planting — for example, flowers versus succulents. There are also different brands that can vary based on location, availability, and season. In this case, it’s best to consult a local expert — which could be in the form of an easy-to-use app (more on this in a moment).
How much planting mix should I use in my container?
When it comes to answering the question, “How much planting mix should I use in my container?” things can get convoluted — as we’ve just discussed. A lot depends on individual circumstances (as well as how good you are at math).
This question is a big question because it involves a lot “stuff” — like types, options, math, and sometimes, your local area (what is readily available and what suits your environment).
However, we can give you one simple answer to this convoluted question — use Planting Pal.
Planting Pal is an amendment calculator that uses the recommendations of local garden centers to get you the right product and quantities you need to successfully plant. Simply input your location and your measurements and Planting Pal will do the rest of the work for you — no math, no guessing, no grey areas.
Gardeners, launch Planting Pal now.
Garden centers & retailers, get started for free.
Product manufacturers, become a sponsor.
P.S. Already using Planting Pal and don’t see your favorite Garden Center? No problem! It’s free for them to join. Help them help you by spreading the word about Planting Pal.