CST: 31/08/2016 22:34:18   

The Key to Good Growing: Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt

203 Days ago

BURLINGTON, VT --(Marketwired - February 10, 2016) - As gardening season nears, experts stress the importance of good soil. Not dirt. But soil. Dirt is a smudge or a stain. Soil is a living, breathing thing; it's a medium for growing plants and providing the nutrients they need for healthy growth.

"The importance of soil is captured in the old garden adage that you should put a $5 plant in a $10 hole," says gardening expert Suzanne DeJohn. This advice is even more important when you're starting seeds indoors or growing plants in containers. "When plant roots are confined to a pot, they need to get all their nutrients from a relatively small amount of soil. So it just makes sense to start plants off right with the best potting mix," says DeJohn.

Healthy garden soil contains a vibrant community of living organisms, including mycorrhizae (my-ko-RYE-zee), tiny microbes that form a partnership with roots to create healthy, resilient plants. Gardener's Supply Company has harnessed the power of mycorrhizae in their new and improved soil blends.

Several of their soils now contain SuperRoot Booster, a special type of mycorrhizae that ensures healthy plants with up to 35% higher yields compared to plants grown in soils without mycorrhizae. You'll find SuperRoot Booster in their Seed Starting Mix, Potting Mix and Transplant Mix, among others.

Other soils contain Bio-Blended Compost, a carefully balanced mix of expertly composted natural materials teeming with beneficial soil life -- including abundant mycorrhizae -- that ensures healthy, vigorous, resilient plants. You'll find Bio-Blended Compost in their Organic Seed Starting Mix and Organic Potting Mix.

"Whichever mix you choose, you'll know that you're providing your plants with living soil to help them thrive," adds DeJohn.

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Claudia Marshall