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The 8 Best Potting Soil, Soil Amendments, and Fertilizers for Fantastic Crops! 

The 8 Best Potting Soil, Soil Amendments, and Fertilizers for Fantastic Crops! 

Boost your food garden output with better dirt by using the best potting soil and other amendments

By Don Nicholas | November 12, 2024

salmonella in compost

Have you ever wondered what separates a so-so harvest from an absolutely abundant one? It’s the secret ingredient lurking underfoot—soil! The foundation of every fantastic food garden is rich, healthy soil that makes your veggies and herbs grow like they’re competing for the Garden Olympics.  So, whether you’re new to gardening or you’ve been harvesting prize-winning zucchinis for years, let’s dig into the best potting soil, soil amendments, and fertilizers that’ll make your plants thrive.

And, just a little FYI: if you purchase through the Amazon links below, we earn a small commission. Think of it as your way of saying, “Thanks for the gardening tips!”

Discover 7 top tips for growing, harvesting, and enjoying tomatoes from your home garden—when you access the FREE guide The Best Way to Grow Tomatoes, right now!

1. The Best Potting Soil That Plants Can’t Resist

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
A mix of earthworm castings, bat guano, and sea fish? It might sound like the beginning of a witch’s brew, but FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is the secret behind lush tomato vines and happy basil plants. With a pH balanced for optimal nutrient uptake, this soil is perfect for starting seeds or giving your transplants a smooth landing in your garden. Grab a bag, and your plants will be sending you thank-you notes in no time.

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
When it comes to potting soil, Miracle-Gro is like that reliable old friend who always shows up. This mix is perfect for container gardens, offering just the right balance of moisture retention and drainage. It’s enriched with plant food to keep your veggies fed for up to 6 months, which means less fussing over your garden and more time enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.

2. Supercharge Your Soil with These Amendments

Wiggle Worm Pure Earthworm Castings
Earthworms are the quiet workers of the garden world, and their castings are like garden gold. Adding Wiggle Worm Pure Earthworm Castings to your soil boosts microbial activity and gives your plants a nutrient-packed snack. Sprinkle a handful into your planting holes, mix it into your compost, or brew a worm-casting tea (sounds fancy, doesn’t it?).

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus
If you’ve ever worried about transplant shock, Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus is here to soothe your gardening anxieties. It’s packed with beneficial mycorrhizae that help new roots establish faster, leading to stronger, more resilient plants. Use it when planting veggies, trees, or shrubs, and watch them settle in like they’ve found their dream home.

3. Fertilizers That’ll Have Your Plants Singing ‘I Feel Good’

Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer Spikes
Even the best soil needs a little boost, and Jobe’s Organics Fertilizer Spikes make feeding your plants as easy as pushing a popsicle stick into the ground. These pre-measured spikes release nutrients directly to the roots, and since they’re organic, you don’t have to worry about chemical buildup. Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, and pretty much anything that grows!

Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
If your garden is in need of a pick-me-up, Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer will give it the ocean-inspired energy it needs. It smells a bit fishy, but your plants will love the boost of micronutrients. It’s like a spa day for your tomatoes, cucumbers, and even your flowers. Just dilute it with water, apply it as a foliar spray or soil drench, and watch your garden grow wild.

4. Garden Goodies: A Few More Must-Have Amendments

Down to Earth Organic All-Natural Fertilizer (Crab Meal)
This amendment might sound a little, well, crabby, but don’t let that fool you. Down to Earth’s Crab Meal is rich in calcium and chitin, which helps promote root growth and fend off garden pests like root-knot nematodes. Mix it into your soil when planting root veggies like carrots and potatoes, and you’ll be amazed at how they thrive.

Dr. Earth Pure Gold All Purpose Fertilizer
Dr. Earth is a brand that’s become synonymous with organic gardening, and their Pure Gold Fertilizer is a go-to for all-purpose feeding. It’s a slow-release fertilizer that gives your garden a steady stream of nutrients, perfect for maintaining healthy growth all season long. From leafy greens to juicy strawberries, this is the secret sauce to bigger and better harvests.

So there you have it, friends! With these best potting soils, amendments, and fertilizers, you’ll be well on your way to a garden that’s the envy of your neighborhood. Whether you’re growing juicy tomatoes, sweet peppers, or a rainbow of herbs, these products will make your garden thrive like never before. And don’t forget, if you snag any of these through our links, you’ll be supporting our garden writing adventures too. Happy planting!

Note: Food Gardening Network contains links to affiliate websites, including Amazon and Rakuten Affiliate Network, and we may receive a commission for any eligible purchases made by you through links on this page. Any reviews are based on honest reviews of the products.

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Tags

all purpose fertilizer, basil, best potting soil, carrots, earthworm castings, fertilizer, fertilizer spikes, food garden, garden pests, gold fertilizer, leafy greens, potting mix, potting soil, seaweed fertilizer, the best soil, tomato vines

Comments
  • Michelle B. May 7, 2025

    Thank you , I am going to try some of your ideas.

    Reply

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