When it comes to starting a
new garden or fresh container
plants, getting the right soil is
essential for building a strong
foundation for your plants.
by Marisa Baratta
Photos by Paul Zammit of the Toronto Botanical Garden
A
brief saunter down the gardening aisle of your local
store will quickly reveal there are many soil options out
there, all vying for your attention. Where to begin?
“Soils are complex and very much alive and crucial to the
success of a garden,” says Paul Zammit, director of horticul-
ture at the Toronto Botanical Garden. After earning a degree
in agricultural science from the University of Guelph,
Zammit spent 20 years working at a garden center, so he
knows a thing or two thousand about gardening.
Zammit says the first question you should ask yourself is:
“Where will the soil be used?” What you
need for gardening in the
ground is very different
from what you need for
gardening in containers.
CHOOSING THE
RIGHT SOIL
FOR YOUR GARDEN
60
Maximum Yield