Choosing a potting soil can be confusing, but it doesn’t have
to be. Here are some key
terms you might see at the garden center.

• An all-purpose potting mix has composted
  bark, peat moss or peat humus
  added to loamy soil. Gardeners usually add ingredients to
  customize mixes.
• Ready-to-use premium mix has similar
  material but in different
  proportions. More bark and peat and less soil make it
  lighter. Perlite and vermiculite
  give it better drainage and aeration. Many contain a wetting
  agent for uniform water
  distribution.
• A professional mix has the same materials
  as the premium types. But
  it’s more finely processed. It works well for starting seeds
  or transplanting delicate
  seedlings.
• Plant-specific mixes are used when you
  have a certain plant in mind
  with special requirements. Orchids, African violets and cacti
  are a few of the special
  mixes available.