I'm a rebel. [View all]

I'm a stone-cold rule breaker and scoff law. I laugh in the face of established mores. I make my own rules!

I put garden soil in my pots. Yup, that stuff that says "not for containers." I put in right in with impunity.

Why? Well, at first it was b/c the Miracle Grow organic potting soil was so darn expensive that I decided to "cut" it (like some kind of back alley earth dealer) with the garden soil from the same brand. That worked pretty well most of the time, but I occasionally would prepare a pot only to find the sandier, heavier garden soil was clogging my drain holes (despite my carefully placed rocks intended to prevent that.)

Eventually, I discovered that, like dressing for unpredictable weather, LAYERING was the key.

Now, I put down a layer of organic potting soil (I'm using Vigoro this year and am really liking it-- better and cheaper that MG), wet that until it's draining well, then a layer of garden soil (also Vigoro), wet it, then potting soil, wet again and finally a thin layer of garden soil on top. I've found this prevents the drainage problems and, because the garden soil layer is denser, the pots don't dry out quite as quickly in the hot weather.

So, now I've confessed my gardening heresy. Anybody else have a rule-breaking garden habit they'd like to confess?