Do vegetables grow in potting soil?

Do vegetables grow in potting soil?

Properties of the potting soil

Basically, the potting soil is intended for the cultivation of potted plants. It contains peat or humus, lime, compost, fibers from wood or coconut and an NPK fertilizer for the first care of the plant. This fertilizer consists of nitrogen N, phosphate P and potassium K. If there is a lot of peat in the potting soil, the trace elements are often insufficient. This can be improved by adding primary rock flour.

Potting soil is loose, well-drained, stores water and gives the potted plants a good hold thanks to the firm structure.

Contrary to some assumptions that potting soil could contain pollutants, it is clear that there are no harmful substances

Contents located in the potting soil. The vegetables grown in them are therefore safe to eat.

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Soil for potted vegetables

Various special earths for vegetables are offered in the garden centers. However, these are quite expensive. If you want to save, you can also use conventional universal or potting soil, which can be upgraded with ripe compost. The compost comes either from your own compost box or from the regional recycling center.

In any case, it must be ensured that the improved potting soil is fertilized regularly, because vegetables have different demands on the soil than flowers. In addition, the soil should be loose but stable so that the plants can grow well. If the soil is stuck together during watering, the potting soil used is not very good. Here, substances must be incorporated to loosen up. Compost, humus or fiber are suitable for this.

Seed or cultivation soil

If vegetables are to be grown by sowing seeds, it is advisable to use a special soil that has been specially mixed for growing seedlings.

Cultivation soil differs from normal garden, plant or potting soil in that:

  • low nutrient supply, too much fertilizer would damage the seedlings by growing too quickly
  • a loose and fine-grained soil
  • the absence of fungal spores, bacteria and other pests can be achieved through sterilization
  • the lack of germinable seeds and roots of other plants, which by germinating take away the food of the young seedlings