Ready to take your gardening game to the next level? It all starts with the right soil! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, choosing and looking after the soil in your Vegepod garden is essential for growing thriving, delicious veggies. Here's your ultimate guide to getting the perfect soil mix for your Vegepod.
Key considerations when choosing the perfect soil
Premium quality: Look for soil that is from a premium range and brand. We recommend a bagged premium Vegetable mix. Look for a fine, dark-coloured vegetable mix, and avoid bulk soil and vegetable mixes that are low quality or contain lots of bark or mulch. You get what you pay for with soil, so go for top quality. You'll see the benefits in your harvest.
Vegetable mix: Since you’re growing veggies, opt for a vegetable mix. It has the right nutrients and compost for your plants. If you can’t find a vegetable mix, choose a premium potting mix and add in some compost.
Fertiliser: Aim for soil with a slow-release fertiliser. This ensures your plants get the best start and thrive. Many soils come with about three months of fertiliser, perfect for your first crop. For an organic option, choose a soil with BioGrow NZ organic certification.
Add Perlite: We highly recommend using perlite when filling your Vegepod. Perlite is a white volcanic rock that expands under extreme heat.
Why Perlite is a must-have
Aeration: Perlite is much lighter than soil and helps aerate your mix. As soil ages, it compacts over time. Perlite adds air pockets, allowing plant roots to breathe and develop. The benefits become noticeable after your first crop.
Drainage: Perlite adds a drainage layer to your garden, preventing water logging during wet periods. Water can easily drain through to the reservoirs and escape out the overflow holes.
Wicking ability: Perlite is an excellent wicking agent, pulling water and nutrients from the reservoirs back up to the roots. Soil also wicks water, but Perlite does it much better!
We recommend a 3-4 cm layer of coarse-grade perlite, such as Vegepod Perlite-Plus on top of the wicking trays. Mix some into your soil mix to aerate and lighten it, reducing compaction.
Soil by the bag vs. bulk
Vegepods require a lot of soil to fill. For a large Vegepod, you’ll need 400 litres! Most people buy 40-litre bags from garden centres or hardware stores due to ease. However, if you have access to a trailer, getting bulk soil might be more cost-effective. Just ensure the soil supplier knows it's for a Vegepod to recommend the best mix.
What to avoid
Topsoil is not recommended as it can get heavy and compacted, which restricts water wicking from below. Ground soil can also contain weeds, which you don’t want in your Vegepod. Starting weed-free helps maintain a clean garden, aided by the Vegepod Cover keeping most weed seeds out.
How to care for the soil in your Vegepod
A common query is, “Why has my subsequent crop slowed down?” This usually happens due to nutrient depletion in the soil. Here's how to maintain it:
Feed regularly: Use fertilisers, compost and fresh worm wee (and castings) to replenish nutrients.
Vegepod Booster: Use our Vegepod Booster liquid plant feed every 2-4 weeks, pouring it over the soil with a watering can.
Turn the soil over between crops: Every 2-3 months, turn the soil over to loosen it, remove any root clumps, and top up with fresh compost if needed. Add a slow-release fertiliser before replanting.
When should I replace my soil?
If you've been maintaining your soil well, there’s no need to replace it for years. Perlite makes maintenance easier. However, if you've neglected it for a long period, replacing it and starting fresh might be best.
Get your Vegepod soil right, and you'll be rewarded with bountiful, delicious harvests season after season.