Adjusting LivingSoil™ for Optimal Plant Growth

Welcome to the LivingSoil™ Plant Guide—your essential resource for tailoring our versatile soil blend to meet the needs of a wide range of plants. This guide highlights the most common plant species and provides easy-to-follow adjustments to ensure optimal growth and health. Whether you're cultivating vegetables, herbs, flowers, houseplants, or trees, this guide helps you make the most out of every cubic foot (1 CF) of LivingSoil™.

For each plant, we've outlined specific amendments you can make to adjust moisture retention, pH, and nutrient balance to better suit your crops. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, these simple tweaks will help you unlock the full potential of LivingSoil™ for all your growing needs.

This guide focuses on a selection of plants that thrive in this balanced mix, categorized by how well they align with the base formula and what minor adjustments (if any) are recommended to fine-tune the growing environment.

Best (Minimal or no adjustments required)

Vegetables:

  • Tomatoes – No adjustments needed.

  • Peppers (Bell, Chili) – No adjustments needed.

  • Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale) – No adjustments needed.

  • Cucumbers – No adjustments needed.

  • Zucchini – No adjustments needed.

Herbs:

  • Basil – No adjustments needed.

  • Mint – No adjustments needed.

  • Parsley – No adjustments needed.

  • Cilantro – No adjustments needed.

Flowers:

  • Roses – No adjustments needed.

  • Sunflowers – No adjustments needed.

  • Marigolds – No adjustments needed.

  • Zinnias – No adjustments needed.

Fruiting Plants:

  • Strawberries – No adjustments needed.

  • Blackberries – No adjustments needed.

  • Raspberries – No adjustments needed.

Houseplants:

  • Spider Plants – No adjustments needed.

  • Philodendrons – No adjustments needed.

  • Pothos – No adjustments needed.

  • Ferns – No adjustments needed.

Better (Slight adjustments for specific growing conditions)

Vegetables:

  • Squash – Add 1 cup of extra Perlite per cubic foot for improved drainage, especially for outdoor growth.

  • Carrots – Add 1 cup of sand or Perlite for better root development in looser soil.

Herbs:

  • Oregano – Add 1 cup of Perlite for improved drainage.

  • Thyme – Add 1 cup of Perlite for enhanced drainage.

Flowers:

  • Petunias – No adjustments needed.

  • Lavender – Add 2 cups of extra Perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.

  • Daisies – Add 1 cup of sand or Perlite for better drainage.

Fruiting Plants:

  • Blueberries – Lower pH by mixing in 1 cup of peat moss and a small amount of sulfur to create a more acidic environment.

  • Citrus Trees (Lemon, Lime, Orange) – Add 1-2 cups of sand or Perlite for better drainage.

Houseplants:

  • Snake Plants – Add 2 cups of extra Perlite to improve drainage.

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig – Add 1 cup of Perlite or sand to enhance drainage.

Perennials:

  • Hostas – No adjustments needed. The organic content supports their growth well.

  • Coneflowers – No adjustments needed.

  • Peonies – No adjustments needed.

Shrubs:

  • Hydrangeas – Adjust for acidity by adding 1 cup of peat moss and consider adding sulfur for blue blooms.

Trees:

  • Apple Trees – Add 2 cups of extra Perlite or sand for improved drainage, as tree roots prefer looser soil.

  • Peach Trees – Add 2 cups of extra Perlite or sand for enhanced drainage.

Good (More significant adjustments required for optimal growth)

Vegetables:

  • Potatoes – Add 3 cups of sand or Perlite for better drainage and a looser soil structure.

Fruiting Plants:

  • Blueberries – Lower pH significantly with 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur. Avoid using dolomite lime.

  • Cranberries – Add 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur to lower the pH to an acidic level, as they prefer a pH of 4.5-5.5.

Perennials:

  • Azaleas – Lower pH with 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur to create a more acidic environment.

  • Rhododendrons – Same as Azaleas, add 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur for more acidic conditions.

Shrubs:

  • Camellias – Add 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur to lower pH and create acidic soil.

Trees:

  • Pine Trees – Add 2 cups of peat moss and sulfur to lower pH for acidic soil.

  • Maple Trees – Add 1 cup of peat moss and sulfur to provide a slightly acidic soil.