The best soil to work with is moist, but not sopping wet soil. Like moist sand, moist soil keeps its shape pretty well.
Bagged potting mix containing slow release fertilizer must be stored dry. If the potting mix gets wet, the fertilizer in the potting mix can pre-release inside the bag and become concentrated which will burn plant roots when used. Dry, bagged potting mix will be light and fluffy.
In most cases, the soil should be damp to the root zone, 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm.). However, sandy soil drains quickly and should be watered when the soil is dry to a depth of 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.). Remember that the need for water also varies widely depending on the plant.
Excess moisture, also known as moisture stress, can be caused by inadequate water drainage or a pot without any holes. A few things that encourage the growth of fungus include dense soil, a lack of drainage holes, and the wrong pot size. There are beautiful pots with no drainage holes in some homes.
The goal is to water the soil well to saturate it into the planting root zone. And give the soil plenty of time to drain slightly but not dry out completely before you plant.
After watering, the soil around the plant should remain moist for a while to allow the plant to receive the nutrients and water it needs. 2 to 4 hours after watering, the soil should still be moist. The soil should then feel damp, which is also a sign of its darker hue, which often persists for more than 24 hours.
Plants use their roots to take up moisture and also oxygen. If your soil is constantly wet, there won't be enough air pockets for your plants and the roots will not be able to breathe properly. This can cause your roots to rot and, therefore, your plant will suffer.
Potting soils often contains peat moss which is valued because it decomposes slowly, is lightweight, and retains water. Paradoxically though, when peat moss dries out it is very difficult to re-wet. Bags of potting soil can even dry out in storage.
Hydrophobic soil occurs when a waxy residue builds up on the soil particles resulting in it repelling water rather than absorbing it. It is most common in sandy soils, dried out potting mix and soils containing unrotted organic matter. You can identify hydrophobic soil by watering it.
Week one: Water plants daily or every other day. Recently planted roots will absorb moisture from a small area until they begin to grow. Week two onward: Unless the weather is extremely hot and dry, you may be able to decrease watering frequency to two or three times per week until the fall rains begin.
Mix in a speed-treating agent – Adding a chemical agent such as quicklime or hydrated lime is a fast and efficient way to help reduce the water in your soil. The lime will chemically react in the soil to help dry out overly wet soil.
If the ball remains mostly intact or breaks into only a few pieces, the soil is too wet. Observe your planter in the field. If soil is building up on the rubber closing wheels, the soil is too wet to plant. You should inspect the seed furrow periodically for signs of soil smearing and sidewall compaction.
Signs of root rot are slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting, yellow, distorted leaves (especially when the plant has been well watered, as wilting leaves can also be a sign of a dry plant).
Mud also provides a nutrient-rich habitat to snails, clams and frogs. When your garden soil is muddy, however, it is time for patience. Muddy soil is easily compacted, making life difficult for young (and not so young) plant roots. All plants need water, but heavy rains and flooding are another story.
Problems with muddy garden soil include poor water drainage, reduced aeration, and low oxygen levels.
– Shelf Life of Miracle Gro Potting Mix
The miracle grow potting soil variant comes with a shelf life of about five years, it is important to know that it contains sphagnum moss, ammonium nitrate, perlite, and compost and can go bad if compromised. Therefore, store them right and use them as per its instructions.
Organic Potting Mix
Plants typically benefit from being repotted every 12 to 18 months, depending on how actively they are growing. Some slow growers, like cacti, can call the same pot home for years, but will just require a soil replenishment.
Potting soil vs. potting mix: Though these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Potting soil may or may not contain soil, while potting mix is strictly a soilless medium. Potting mix is sterile, which makes it safer for plants because it doesn't contain pathogens such as fungus or other diseases.
Water thoroughly after repotting to help the soil settle around your plant's roots. Plenty of moisture will also help your plant recover from the move better. If you have a saucer under the pot, make sure to empty it, so your plant doesn't get too soggy.
The best way to tell if your plants need water is to stick your finger about an inch into the potting mix—if it feels dry, break out the watering can.
Watering container plants.
Pots absorb heat, which can stress plant roots, and the soil in them dries out much faster than soil in the ground. Container plants generally need to be watered daily. During really hot weather, you may need to even water twice a day, especially smaller containers.
If you're watering your plant every week but the soil still is dry and feels rock solid, you likely have hydrophobic soil. You might notice the water glide over the surface of the dirt, down the side of the pot and out the drainage hole. Sometimes this can indicate your plant needs repotting.