Even though we sometimes buy on a whim (or more of a “love at first sight” impulse!), most of the time we carefully select our plants based on obvious criteria: hardiness zone, mature size, type of sunlight exposure, drought resistance, etc. This helps avoid disappointment or wasting precious time trying to keep alive a plant that isn’t suited to our environment.
Right before heading to the checkout, we remember we need soil and end up choosing a product somewhat randomly. That’s how we end up with uneven results… and far too often having to leave our projects unfinished because the number of bags purchased is clearly insufficient.
Here are 3 common mistakes people make when buying soil and how to avoid them.
Mistake no. 1: Underestimating the amount needed
This is the classic mistake. We leave with two or three bags of soil fully convinced it will be enough, only to run out in the middle of repotting or planting. The result: a second trip to the garden centre, sometimes even a third.
In a car trunk, the amount of soil always seems impressive. It is much less so once you arrive in the garden.
Here are a few examples to help put things into perspective:
- Filling about 10 balcony pots requires on average 2 to 3 ft³ of soil.
- A medium flower bed (10 feet long and a few inches deep) requires about 3 to 4 ft³.
- A standard raised bed (4x4 ft) can be filled with 4 to 6 ft³… depending on its depth.
- 1 compressed bag of PRO-MIX soil (112 L) can fill seven 15-L pots (perfect for a container-grown tomato plant!)
The habit to adopt: estimate generously and opt for a larger size. By actual volume, larger sizes are almost always cheaper per ft³ and save you from having to go back to the store.
Mistake no. 2: Relying on the apparent size of the bag
Even experienced gardeners sometimes get caught! Faced with two bags side by side, we naturally tend to choose the bigger one. However, in the soil mix aisle, bag size is not the only thing that matters.
Some packaging contains vacuum-compressed soil, meaning the soil inside is compacted to take up less space in the bag. In practical terms, each cubic foot of compressed soil yields two cubic feet of growing medium once the bag is opened and the soil is loosened. You’re buying a bag that looks smaller, but in reality you walk away with twice as much soil as the apparent volume suggests.
The advantages are real:
- More cost-effective per actual volume: you pay for the product, not the air trapped in the packaging.
- Easier to carry: a compressed bag fits in any car trunk and is easy to store without cluttering the garage.
- Better for the environment: half the plastic for the same volume of soil, a sensible choice for the planet even if our bags are recyclable!
- Better preservation of soil quality: compression limits the amount of air and slows down the degradation of the mix during storage.
So stop comparing bags by eye and instead check the real volume once expanded. That’s where the real value is.
PRO-MIX offers all its essential soil mixes in value packs. Each 2 ft³ compressed size equals 4 ft³ of soil, or the equivalent of four 28-L bags. Less expensive per volume, easier to carry and store, more ecological with half the plastic for packaging, and better preservation. You have everything to gain!
Mistake no. 3: Always choosing an all purpose mix when a specific use is required
We often forget that not all soil mixes are equal. To make an informed choice, it’s not enough to know whether it suits our project (flower pots, vegetable plants, etc.), but to ensure it meets the needs of our plants and helps them establish more easily, bloom more abundantly and produce better yields.
For example, a mix designed for repotting container plants will not have the same composition as a mix intended for organic vegetable gardening. Using a single product for all your projects often means missing out on the best possible results. Even though some substrates are more versatile than others, there is no universal soil mix that meets every need.
Choosing the right mix for your project often makes the difference between an ordinary garden and a lush, highly productive one.
Our Premium Potting Mix is ideal for all your container growing needs: repotting indoor plants, creating container arrangements, and growing vegetables and herbs in containers. Formulated to retain moisture well and ensure optimal drainage, it prevents both overwatering and underwatering. It also reduces watering frequency during hot and dry weather.
Our Premium All Purpose Mix contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss, mycorrhizae and a controlled-release fertilizer that feeds your plants for up to 9 months. It is suitable for a wide variety of plants, promoting water and nutrient uptake for vigorous growth and healthy plants. Perfect for creating flower beds and borders, as well as planting trees and shrubs in the garden.
Our Organic Vegetable & Herb Mix provides an optimal environment for growing edible plants. Certified organic, it feeds plants for 3 months and ensures vigorous growth, for 20% bigger plants.
In summary, these three simple tips will help you start the season off right and get the results you’re hoping for. Think big for your volumes, don’t rely on bag size, and adapt the type of soil to your project.
Happy gardening season!
