The Importance of The Right Soil For Flowers
A lot of beginner gardeners tend to think that the soil they use for their plants can be healthy for flowers, wherein in some cases, it is not.
This is why it is imperative to go through the importance of the right soil for your flowers. Soil quality matters because the higher the quality the better your soil can store nutrients and water. Poor quality soil will only ruin your flowers and possibly kill them in the long run since bad soil does not hold water well, and it will make it impossible for your flowers to reach their full potential.
As mentioned, the right soil for your flowers can prevent common garden threats and diseases as well.
The Most Common Types Of Soil
Now, let us go through the different types of soil. This helps you identify and determine which can be a great fit if you decide on creating your own potting mix. You will also learn the various components these different soils have.
Clay Soil
Clay soil is fairly common and widely available in garden stores. They are soils with a large amount of clay, which makes them heavy and downgrade water absorption. This is why clay soil is not good for most flowering plants.
However, they are good for specific kinds of plants that adapt well to the clay soil’s hard build. These are a few of them:
- Hosta
- Heuchera
- Aster
- Platycodon
- Iris
- Phlox
- Sedum
And many more!
Loam Soil
Loam soil is a mixture of well-balanced silt, sand, clay, and humus. This mix or type of soil is good for plants that require higher pH levels, specifically at ranges between 6.0 and 7.0.
For those of you who do not know, pH levels play a vital role in a plant’s ability to grow, and the same foes for the microorganisms that live in your soil. Loam soil is good for flowers that can survive that pH level range.
Silt Soil
Silt soil is unlike the soil above because it is quite powdery that carries along with high fertility!
But since it is silt, it is known to waterlog easily. Silt soil is only good for plants that thrive in wet soils. The majority of flowers could receive more damage than good from this but again, depending on what flower you are going to grow, results may vary.
Sandy Soil
Sand is considered to be the largest particle in soil, but it does not hold nutrients well. With that said, it is not good for the majority of flowers.
However, it is good for the following plants:
- Cactuses/Cacti
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Sedum
- Euphorbias
Do’s and Don’ts of Soil Use
Here are a few tips to help you start on the right path, and a few warnings to prevent you from making these common mistakes.
Do’s
- Keep your soil clean of large debris and pebbles.
- Make sure your soil is water retentive but not waterlogging.
- Apply the necessary nutrients your flower soil needs.
- Use soft soil.
- Utilize soil that is easy to work with.
Don’ts
- There should be no chemical contaminants.
- Do not use hard soil.
- Letting excess weeds grow.
- Leaving decaying wood on the soil.
- Drowning your flowers.
The 5 Best Soils That Are Perfect For Flowers
1) Loam Soil + Sandy Soil
Sandy loam soil provides enhanced drainage, which sandy soil itself struggles with alone but with the help of mixing loam soil, this prevents the bulb from rotting. In addition to that, roots will grow easily.
This mix will help your flowers grow faster and bloom very soon!
2) Potting Soil
Potting soil is one of the best soils you can use for your flowers that are in a container. Potting soil holds water and nutrients very well. In terms of aeration, it has excellent absorption. The materials used to make potting are also root-friendly. This means the roots of your flowers can easily scatter through as they grow.
3) Compost + Peat + Topsoil Mix
This mix is great for flowers that thrive in higher moisture levels since this mix holds water very well. It is very easy to make and very cheap. The ratio of this mix is 1:1:1.
You can expect your flowers to do well and sustain themselves in this soil mix since it is perfectly suitable for them.
4) Soil With No Chemical Contaminants
Chemical contaminants including pesticides are dangerous to both your flowers and you. Yes, some of these chemicals can help your plants but the majority of the time they will not especially if you keep applying them to your soil.
This can kill the ecosystem in your soil and possibly poison your flowers if applied too much. I suggest using organic armaments like compost and mulch for better results and aesthetics.
5) Soil That Holds Sufficient Water
Flowers can definitely appreciate water retention, as long as they do not become waterlogged. Soil for growing flowers should be able to drain at a particular rate as well for your flowers to absorb as much hydrogen as they need before the water disperses. This soil is great for summer as well since the heat can easily evaporate the water from your flower’s soil in no time.
Final Thoughts
Flowers totally benefit from the right soil, especially if it contains organic materials that allow it to drain the water requirements it needs. I personally use the Compost + Peat + Topsoil Mix because it gives my flowers a sufficient amount of nutrients and water. This mix does not make my flowers dry out since it holds water retention excellently. The ingredients in this mix help offset any shortages in the soil.
In terms of my flower’s roots, they grow, spread, and anchor very well in this mix. What are your thoughts? Let me know what you are going to try out in the comment section below!
