How to Create Well-Draining Soil

Good-draining soil allows moisture to penetrate throughout the soil, while keeping the soil from being soggy. Most plants drown in wet soil because air cannot reach their roots. Compact, hard soil holds the water at the surface and cements the roots into an area without room to expand. The ideal soil stays loose so that the drainage property stays intact.

Shovel
Large container
Soap
Water
Bleach
Potting soil
Sand
Organic material
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Wash a shovel and a large container with soapy water. Rinse everything off with one part bleach mixed with nine parts water. This disinfects the tools so any plant disease infection does not spread to the soil.
- 2
  Place one part of potting or sterilized soil in the large container. Do not use soil directly from the garden since it may contain plant disease and lots of weed seeds.
- 3
  Mix in one part sand, perlite, vermiculite or a mixture of these ingredients in the large container. This ingredient keeps the soil light, prevents compaction and improves water drainage.
- 4
  Add one part of organic material, which includes compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure. Organic material fluffs up the soil, provides nutrients for the plants and increases the water holding property of the soil mixture.
- 5
  Mix in 1/2 cup of 5-10-5 slow-release fertilizer for every 8 gallons of soil. The fertilizer gives seeds and transplants a boost to begin growing strongly after planting. Fill your container with soil.

How a Plant Grows in Two Different Types of Soil

Density of Topsoil

Soil