Actually, I've been following this thread for awhile & was coming here to say something similar to what Pam said, but I hadn't yet distilled in my mind what I wanted to say. To me, soil is something for the plants to set their feet in, no matter what it's made of. I think that puts me on pretty solid ground technically, but I'm subject to correction by you guys if it's not accurate from a practical perspective. I don't use these things, but it seems to me the terms are used pretty interchangeably, so instead of sounding disagreeable, I'll ask a question: Aren't we eliminating a fair number of products that could be used with reasonable results in containers simply because they are labeled 'potting soil' instead of 'potting mix'? .... and then it follows: Aren't there media out there that are labeled 'potting mix' that are far inferior to others with the unfavored label 'potting soil'? If there's a point I'm making, it's probably that the most important consideration to me would not be what's on the outside of the bag (label), but what's on the inside. That said, I am fully prepared to allow that perhaps a higher % of media labeled 'potting mix' might be appropriate when compared to those labeled 'potting soil'. I really don't know. Like I said, I don't buy these products. I walk by them & squeeze the bags out of curiosity to try to get a feel for what might be in them, or if there's a torn bag, I might pick some up to look it over. It really is just food for thought & more a question than an argument. Pam offers: "I've been container gardening both personally and professionally for many years and I have never made up my own mix but used high quality purchased mixes only. And with excellent results. It's merely a matter of understanding the requirements of container growing and the plants you are including and making sure the mix you use provides sufficient aeration, porosity, drainage and moisture retention to address those requirements." I'm proud to call Pam a dear friend & I agree with what she said. I KNOW she is an excellent container gardener; and of course you can grow vital, healthy plants in any mix that retains the physical characteristics she referred to. I'm not here to twist the arms of those who are satisfied and happy with what they use as media - especially growers like Pam. ;o) I always point out there is a balance between convenience and plant vitality in the mixes I grow in. I think that you can grow superior plants in the highly aerated mixes I use, but the trade-off is you have to be willing to water more often. Some NEED the convenience of not having to water a little more frequently, and I understand that's a part of our individual growing experience - it is whatever we want to make it. I have tried all manner of bagged and commercially prepared media, even the Fafard blends, but I still prefer those I make myself, even though I'm very busy tending plants and an extended interval between irrigatings coupled with not having to make my own media would be a real blessing. My main focus here on the forums is to try to help the folks who might be foundering a little - who might not be able to tell a good soil (oops) ;o) ..... a good medium from a bad one, those who really don't have access to a very good container medium and who would like to make their own, and those who are looking for a way to improve their soils, plant vitality, and growing experience through a better understanding of the 'whys and wherefores'. ;o) Take care. Al

Thanks to every one taking the time to try to educate me. tapla, If I have a large container that has a plant in it already, and I can't (physical limitations) repot it, would it be at least a second best if I punch holes in the dirt to aerate it? Or can I start putting something on top of the dirt that might eventually help improve the soil? (To clarify--- my physical limitations keep me from being able to stay bent over more than a few minutes at most. Or from lifting anything heavier than about 15 lbs. Woe to the healthy younger person who wanders by me. LOL It's kinda like being being drafted, only with some pay!) Thank you gardengal. I'll try to locate those suggestions. I did get my Sweet Potato Vine (Blackie), Oxalis (Sunset Velvet) and Silver Falls (something) planted yesterday in one pot. They're now hanging off the balcony railing and I'm waiting eagerly. My balcony looks like a very messy miniature botannical gardens. LOL But I love it.

I may not be right but I think the difference is that pottin mix has other stuff add like vermiculite to make the soil lighter and retain moisture plus fertilizer such as slow release may be added. Whereas potting soil is just the sopil without the other stuff added. I like the Miracle Grow brand, not alot of sticks and stuff, usually soft and drier. Some of the the other brands are wetter and heavier. There is another with part of the name being Jungle __________ and I like it alot too. I used to be able to find torn bags at Lowes really cheap but they have stopped reducing them as much, just tape the bags before much is lost out of the bags and they sell it full price. So now I have to be more careful what I use it for - I hate paying so much for dirt - even though it isn't just dirt!

I'd be less worried about pH and more concerned about the "fluff" that these companies include in the bag as a "conditioner". Forest products are in the forest for a reason and don't belong in a garden, yard, or in a planter. My answer is simple, pH will not be your problem. My question will most likely be more complex: what do the small bark nuggets and pine needle fines provide your pots that is useful? If you are interested in testing the soil, conditioner or the combined result, then let me know. I use an incredible lab based in the midwest that can help you find out for sure if your pH is an issue but its not going to be. Refocus on what nutrients your plants are being provided or not provided from soil microbes and the organic matter. Also, focus on creating an ideal texture for proper drainage and the health of your organic matter digesting microbes. The pH discussion is overdone all over the world to this day because a researcher found that sulphur helped high pH soils and calcium helped low pH soils. In reality, the improvement came from the increased availability and texture benefits of the calcium. Also, those soluble fertilizers are only providing your plant with N and burning up any beneficial compost and the corresponding microbes.