My Potting Soils Dries Out And Will Not Take Water Once Dry

Question

I bought planter soil for a planter I was growing herbs and a few strawberry plants in. The plants are not doing well. I water regularly and the top soil looks very wet, but once I put the little shovel down into the soil it was completely dry. It was like the soil was not absorbing the water. I hand water this box bed by hand on the shower mode and water it for quite some time, but all the waters ends up running out the sides or bottom. What kind of soil should I be using to prevent this?

Answer 1

This happens when soil has quite a bit of peat moss. Using coco coir and an acidifier will make a good replacement when mixing soils.

Alternatively, it is an avoidable situation, as long as the peat never has a chance to dry out, fully. Once this happens, it is hard to get it to take water, again.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/peat-moss-information.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/planting-in-coco-peat-media.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/peat-moss-alternatives.htm