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Where Can I Buy Potting Soil? 7 Options
Ed Malaker
Last updated:
Potting soil is an essential part of any indoor garden. It helps provide the nutrients that your plants need and usually contains additives that help the soil retain moisture longer. However, many people aren’t sure where to buy it, so keep reading as we list several places where you can purchase it, along with the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.
The 7 Places to Buy Potting Soil
1. Walmart
Image Credit: Gabriel Phphy, Shutterstock
For many people, Walmart is one of the best options for purchasing potting because they frequently visit the store to buy groceries and other supplies. There are many locations across the United States, the prices are usually fair, and several topsoil brands are available, so you will likely find what you need. Another big advantage to Walmart is that it often opens early and doesn’t close until quite late, so you can get your potting soil anytime you need it.
The downside of using Walmart is that you usually can’t find any help. If you have a question about what kind of soil you need, you must rely on reading the packaging. Many stores may also run out of stock and consider it a seasonal product, making it harder to find at certain times of the year.
Pros
Many locations
Open extended hours
Fair prices
Good selection
Cons
Might run out of stock
Little or no gardening help
2. Target
Target is a popular store that you can find in all 50 states, with almost 2,000 locations. Like Walmart, it’s a popular place to visit for many reasons besides gardening, but you can find a nice selection of topsoil there. It’s especially good in a pinch, with many of the most common brands available in small packages.
The downside of visiting Target for topsoil is that there is less variety available during the off-season, and the bags are usually smaller and more expensive, with less chance of a sale price, so it isn’t a good choice if you need a large amount of soil. You are also less likely to find gardening help at a Target location.
Pros
Many locations
Good selection
Cons
Expensive
Seasonal
Small packages
Limited gardening help
3. Lowe’s
Image Credit: Joe Kuis, Shutterstock
Lowe’s is a great choice for any gardener that uses a large amount of dirt. There are many locations, it often has a large selection of brands to choose from, and you can easily get large bags to tackle any size job. Buying in bulk often results in discounts too, and soil is kept stocked all year. At certain times, you can even find knowledgeable sales staff who can help you with a gardening problem.
The main downside of using Lowe’s for gardening soil is that it can be difficult to sort through the large selection if you are a beginner and there are no sales associates available.
Pros
Several locations
Large selection
Bulk discounts
Cons
Can be challenging to navigate for beginners
4. Home Depot
Home Depot is similar to Lowe’s and offers the gardener many of the same advantages. It has many brands available, so you can get any soil that you need, and it usually keeps the shelf stocked all year long. You can get as much dirt as you need, and it often offers bulk discounts. Many of the sales associates can also provide helpful advice, especially when you visit during the busy spring season.
The downside of Home Depot is that it can be intimidating for a beginner to sort through all the merchandise and select a brand of topsoil, especially if there are no sales representatives available.
Pros
Many locations
Large selection
Bulk discounts
Cons
Can be intimidating to navigate for beginners
5. Amazon
Image Credit: Floki, Shutterstock
A great option for many people is to use Amazon to purchase potting soil. Orders come directly to your door in just a few days, and the selection is unmatched. While you can’t get immediate help, you can usually post a question on the product page and get an answer in a few days. In many cases, though, you can find the answers that you need by reading over the questions or looking through the reviews, making it much easier to find a good brand.
The downside of using an online service like Amazon is that some sellers might cut corners to make sales, and some bags of potting soil might arrive damaged or dried out.
Pros
Huge selection
Ships to your door
Helpful reviews and questions
Cons
Deceitful sellers
Damaged packaging
Dry soil
6. Local Garden Center
Your local garden center is one of the best places to get potting soil. It typically has a solution to every gardening problem, and the knowledgeable staff can help you find the answers that you need for the best chance of success in your gardening endeavors.
The downside of this option is that many people don’t have a garden center nearby, and the available products can often be expensive. Another downside is that the sales associates can upsell you into purchasing more than just potting soil.
Pros
Likely has the soil that you need
Knowledgeable staff can help answer questions
Cons
Not many locations
Expensive
7. DIY
Image Credit: Gustavo Fring, Pexels
If you are looking for high-quality, low-cost potting soil, one of the best options is to make it yourself with a compost pile. A compost pile is easy to create and maintain. It’s good for the environment and helps you turn food scraps into usable soil that will provide plenty of nutrients for your indoor or outdoor garden.
The downside of compost is that it can take a year or two before it starts to produce usable soil, and it requires continuous maintenance.
Pros
Low cost
Good for the environment
Helps you recycle table scraps
Cons
Takes a while to produce usable soil
Requires frequent maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of potting soil should I use?
The type of potting soil that you need depends primarily on the plants that you’re growing. Some prefer sandy soil, while others prefer loamy dirt or a different kind, so it’s best to research the plants that you are growing. Learn what potting soil they would grow best in, and find a brand that matches it. Most brands have plenty of options for any gardening requirements.
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How do I know if I have good potting soil?
A good general-purpose potting soil will be fluffy to the touch, as this provides aeration that promotes root growth.
A good potting soil will have a consistent blend of ingredients.
High-quality potting soil won’t have any large pieces of wood, plastic, or glass.
High-quality potting soil will often contain ingredients that absorb the moisture when you water the plant and release it when the soil becomes dry, helping your plants withstand drought conditions and high temperatures.
Your potting soil should not become muddy or soggy when you water the plant. Instead, it should become damp, with excess water quickly draining through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This prevents root rot, fungus, and disease.
Conclusion
Potting soil is not difficult to find, and you can purchase it at several locations. If you have access to the internet, Amazon or a similar online service is likely your best option because you can search from home to find the best price and type and have it shipped directly to your door. You also find the answers to many of your questions online, but if you need more specific help, a garden center is your best bet. Walmart is a great choice because it’s convenient and open nearly around the clock, while a home improvement center like Lowe’s or Home Depot is perfect when you need a large amount of dirt.
Ed Malaker is an experienced writer who has brought his knowledge to a wide range of blogs, including home improvement, guitars, computer programming, tools, fitness, and pets. If you don't catch him writing, you can usually find Ed working in the garden or taking on DIY projects around the house. Ed’s also a talented musician, spending time composing music for independent films or helping people fix their guitars.
Ed Malaker
