PART 3: Cultivating Healthy Soil

Part 3 of my *Guide to Start a Garden*

Welcome to Part 3 of my Guide to Start a Garden!

Today, we’re digging in to how to cultivate healthy soil, whether you’re growing in pots, raised beds, or directly in the ground.

But first.. why do we even care about soil? In the simplest terms – when your soil is healthy and balanced, your plants will have a strong foundation to thrive, and they will be less susceptible to pests, viruses, inclement weather, etc.

On the flip side, if your soil is out of balance and your plants aren’t getting the nutrients they need, your crops will suffer and be an easy target for pests and bacteria + viruses, and they won’t be as hardy in tough weather. I can’t stress enough how vital it is to have healthy, nutrient rich soil for the success of your garden, so don’t snooze on this one!

First up, let’s talk about soil mixes for pots, containers, and raised beds.

If you decide to grow in pots or raised beds, then you’ll need to bring in *all* the soil to fill your containers. There are a LOT of different opinions when it comes to the best soil mix for pots and raised beds, so listed below are a few popular soil mix “recipes” that I recommend (side note – if you have a reputable farm/garden store in your area, give them a visit and see what they recommend to fill your pots or raised beds):