SHREVEPORT, La. - If you’re gearing up for summer planting, knowing your soil could be the key to gardening success. Mark Wilson with the LSU Ag Center says there is a big difference between potting and garden soil.

“Typical potting or container soil is made up of two components—peat moss and perlite,” Wilson said. “Peat moss helps retain moisture, while perlite, which looks like tiny white Styrofoam pellets, provides critical air space so the plant roots can breathe.”

That balance of moisture and drainage is essential in pots and containers, where space is limited and water doesn’t drain as freely. Unlike potting soil, garden soil is heavier and made from native components like sand, silt, or clay mixed with organic material. It's designed to perform well in open-ground conditions, not

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