We Tested 14 Different Potting Soils...Here's What We Learned
255,126
Published 2024-06-08
P.S. This is a "backyard garden science" experiment and in no way is a valid scientific result!
IN THIS VIDEO
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Soil Bags Shopping
01:45 - Soil Bags Final Choice
02:50 - Experiment Overview
05:02 - Planting Out & Kevin's Picks
06:25 - 3 Week Update
08:58 - 6 Week Update
10:57 - Final Update & Results
DISCLAIMER
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All Comments (21)
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We want to do another soil experiment - what should we test next? P.S. YES we know this isn't a scientifically valid and super-controlled study. There are a lot of variables we couldn't control for, like variation in plant vigor, etc.
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now do fertilizers. Use a blank medium like Pro-Mix HP, then each container feed with different products both synthetics and dry amendments
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Completely off-topic but I want Kevin and Jacques to switch hats for one video 😎🧢👒
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I saw an article testing several commonly available bagged soils 40 years ago. They got the best result from soil that had been sitting around since the previous year, the lesson being that soil needs time, moisture, and not being physically disturbed in order to develop beneficial biological activity.
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Now THIS is truly an epic video!!! Well done, this is seriously great content and valuable information!
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So buy the cheaper mix and add your own fertilizer. I lucked out last fall and was at Walmart when they put their parking lot inventory on sale for $1. So peat moss, potting soil, mulch, paving stones, gravel, sand, everything $1 each. I spent $140, and probably saved $1400. I have a small car and had to make 4 trips but it was so worth it!
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By the way, this is perfectly valid science. You have controls, hypotheses, testing, and results. There is bias in every experiment, but you should not have the disclaimer that this is backyard science. This is completely legitimate science and interesting.
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Luckily I have a medium size koi pond with about 18 koi. When the filters ( swamp cooler pads) are flushed out, that water ( semi liquid muck) is saved/diluted and added as a nutrient booster for the plants.Cheap/bio/ecological friendly…
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You guys are the BEST!! I'm only halfway through the video and I am shocked at how much the success of my container garden depends on the soil. I feel so much better about my past failures because I have soil that was so wood chippy I had itchy splinters after working in it. Thank you so much for constantly making me a more successful gardener!
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I used Kellogg last year and it's trash. I used your top pick Miracle Gro in my raised garden bed this year and the difference is astronomical! I'll never go back. I spent under $60 and so far my garden is thriving way better than I expected. Thanks for sharing your experiment. I learned a lot!
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I use vigaro potting mix and it was nice to see I haven't wasted money and have been getting one of the better mixes for so cheap.
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Hi 12 years of experience Organic gardener here. If youre looking for cost effectiveness and you dont have a truck. Show up to your local soil sellers yard and ask if you can fill up buckets. Either choose fancy potting mix or just compost and amend it at home. Buying bags can be really expensive.
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I'm a scientist. I love this kind of video. Please do more! I'd be curious if you dosed the lowest four with a liquid fertilizer if they perked up.
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But for real, when are we going to see our Kevin and Jacques Garden Gnomes hit the Epic store? I need some good vibes in my garden
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You guys mentioned the fast growth of the miracle gro but the later tapering off. I think that's why Miracle Gro is great for annuals, since it can basically cover you for almost the entire season. For perennials I go with something closer to the recipe 420 for long term health & sustained slow release.
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I mix my own: 3 cu ft of peat moss, 3 of topsoil and 3 of compost, all as off brand as they sell. It has worked wonders for me and costs about $40.
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Ammending is definitely key. I've had great success with Kellogs patio. I just add stuff like earthworm castings and slow release fertilizer.
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Who puts an Ikea and Lowe's together!!!! Heaven! I would stay broke!
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I remember listening to the owner of malibu compost on in search of soil. He seemed so high and mighty and acted like his product was so amazing. Funny to see his product in the bottom four while being the most expensive. Just goes to show that price isnt everything and the best soil is the one you build yourself over many years.
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Miracle-Gro mixes use mostly synthetically-derived fertilizers that are immediately available to plants and will naturally perform better in a short-term grow bag experiment. Fox Farms Ocean Harvest has organic, slow release bat guano/crab meal/fish emulsion which require some biological activity before available.
