Is Miracle-Gro Potting Soil Safe For My Vegetable Garden?

I am not sure about you, but I treat my vegetable garden as my baby. And anything I use in my garden needs to be safe.

Miracle-Gro is a potting soil mix that I recommend and many people often ask me if it’s safe for vegetable gardens or not.

So I decided to write this one up and answer all the questions at once.

Is Miracle-Gro Potting Soil Safe For Vegetable Garden?

Yes, Miracle-Gro is safe to grow vegetables.

Miracle-Gro contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in non-toxic amounts. So there is no reason for you to worry about Miracle – Gro potting soils’ safety for vegetable cultivation.

The all-purpose potting mixture of the Miracle-Gro even contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the ratio of 21-7-14. Read to learn more!

Miracle-Gro Potting Soil – Things you Need to Know

This potting soil is one of the highly sought after mixes for growing vegetables. But before you use it, there are certain things you need to figure out.

A good gardener is one that takes pleasure in following guidelines. On the other hand, farming is an activity that requires constant learning. You need to learn the best practices or understand how to do things right.

Without much ado, here is the little secret you need to know before using the Miracle-Gro potting soil.

1. Miracle-Gro Potting is not organic

Well, this is something many gardeners are not comfortable applying to their crops. They prefer using organic fertilizers.

But I can’t speak for all the gardeners out there. I know for a fact that some don’t have problems using the Miracle-Gro potting mixture. Why would anyone even have problems using this fertilizer?

The question is, does it grow crops? Yes, it does. Does it provide the needed nutrient your potted plants would require to thrive? Yes, it does.

So why should anyone hate the Miracle-Gro potting soil?

Here is the answer to the question;

If you enjoy using organic, then Miracle-Gro is not for you. But if you don’t have a problem with conventional fertilizers, then go for it.

Again, if you have the notion that this conventional fertilizer (Miracle-Gro) would get into your crop, then bear in mind that such a thing won’t happen. Your vegetable or whatever you are using it for will be safe for consumption.

2. Miracle-Gro may attract flies

For me, I don’t have a problem with this. By the way, it’s not like one would sleep in the garden all day.

But for knowledge sake, keep in mind that your precious Miracle-Gro, which is a must-have conventional fertilizer for gardeners on a budget, attracts flies.

On the other hand, this fertilizer also produces a strange odor. But that doesn’t mean that it will be transferred to your precious plants.

3. Created for all potted plants

One of the features many gardeners, including myself, find impressive about this Miracle-Gro is the fact that it works for all potted plants. I mean, it can provide the needed nutrients that your potted plants require to grow.

Your tomatoes, carrot, lettuce, radish, cucumber, peas, and aubergines might do well with the Miracle-Gro, particularly when used appropriately.

4. Mulch and soil council certified

If you are scared of using Miracle-Gro on your vegetable crops, bear in mind that the mulch and soil council have certified the fertilizer.

So, if you are skeptical about using this conventional fertilizer on your crop, you better have a change of heart.

5. Easy to use

Again, Miracle-Gro is very simple to use. That’s why many gardeners like using it compared to the others.

But you also have to read the guidelines to ensure you don’t make costly mistakes that can jeopardize your effort.

Why is potting soil easier than garden soil?

If you decide to use the regular garden soil for raised beds or in an outdoor container, you will undoubtedly have much work to do.

You need to add the source of nutrients, increase organic matter percentage, change pH, and improve the soil drainage.

In addition to the above tasks, you still have to purchase different amendments to mixing in.

Now here is why potting soil is super easy: You can use potting soil right out of the bag. All you need to do is to transfer the soil into the container and add your plant. That’s it.

6. An affordable option for gardeners on a budget

If you are on a tight budget but need potting soil to grow your crops, then Miracle-Gro might be the ideal option.

The thing is the price of this fertilizer is fair compared to many others out there. And it also contains the essential nutrients that your vegetable plants would require to thrive.

So, if you are afraid to grow your favorite vegetable because of the high cost of fertilizers, then you don’t have to be. The Miracle-Gro will take care of the nutrient needs of the plant, plus it’s also affordable.

7. Easy to find

Let’s say the company has done a great job in the area of marketing. Impressively, you can find their products in almost all the stores in your neighborhood

So, the thing is, you may not have to travel a long distance to purchase the Miracle-Gro thereby wasting gas in the process.

Reasons to Utilize Potting Soils

There is a reason many gardeners have started to accept potting soils. And knowing what those reasons are can help you make the right decision too.

Now, what are the benefits that potting soils offer? Why are potting soils a good option for growing potted plants? Let’s find out.

The first you should know is that potting soils are no different from the soil we have in the ground. They are both soils and have almost similar purposes.

Potting soils does not only support plant like in the soils in the ground do. It also delivers nutrients, and water plants need to thrive.

Again, many commercial brands of the so-called potting soil add fertilizer into their potting soil. However, this is also beneficial because the fertilizer will help your plant to grow.

Another thing you need to understand about potting soils that makes them superior to garden soils (the ones on the ground) is that potting soils are composed of various ingredients.

However, the ingredients in potting soils make it possible for the soil to hold nutrients and water for the plant.

Some of the ingredients in potting soil also contain ingredients that promote good aeration and drainage, which is good for vegetable plants.

What are the ingredients most potting mixes have?

Potting mixes may contain ingredients like vermiculite (expanded clay material), peat, coconut coir, perlite, bark, or compost.

Also, another reason potting soil is excellent for the potted plant is that they are less compact compared to the garden soil.

What does being less compact makes potting soil superior to garden soil?

The thing is being less compact plus the fact that potting soils contain ingredients that hold onto nutrients and water for a long gives potted plants the ability to handle the difficulty that comes with growing up in a container.

Potting soils are created for specific plants

Again, one thing that makes potting soil a wise choice is the fact that you can get different varieties for plants.

Bear in mind that plants differ concerning their nutrient and soil needs. But the good thing is that you can get potting soil for any particular situation or plant type.

For instance, you can get cactus, and succulent soil, African violet mixes, water holding mix particularly for those who don’t always remember to water their plants. You can also get acid-loving plant mixes too.

Can Too Much Miracle-Gro Harm A Plant?

The simple answer is yes. Applying too much Miracle-Gro fertilizer or any other brand fertilizer can harm your plant.

In short, it would make the plant unhealthier or lead to death. Fertilizer is not medicine to plant. That’s what you should understand.

Instead, fertilizer is made for plants that are already using the nutrients in the soil. Fertilizer makes it possible for the soil to replenish its nutrients. From there, the plants through their roots can then utilize the nutrients in the soil.

How does over-fertilization destroy plants?

The one thing or villain that leads to plant death when you apply too much fertilizer is salt. It is highly poisonous to plants. Another thing is that salty plants usually have problems absorbing water the way they should.

And guess what, just as humans adapt to stressful situations, plants also do the same. But in an attempt to adjust itself to salt around, the plant ends up using excess energy meant for growth.

Final Verdict

The Miracle-Gro potting soil is suitable for vegetables. But then, you have to choose the right Miracle-Gro for the vegetable you wish to cultivate.

Read the guidelines and ask questions if you have any doubt on whether the potting soil will be a good option for your plant.

But have in mind that the potting soil will be an excellent option for growing your vegetables. So, if you are thinking of cultivating vegetables, you can decide to give the Miracle-Go a try.

Reference:

• https://www.cnet.com/news/miracle-gro-takes-a-crack-at-simplifying-indoor-planters-at-ces-2019/
• https://miraclegrotwelve.com/pages/what-is-water-based-growing
• https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304665904576383832249741032

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