Science_Fair_Soil

Comparing Potting Soil to Starter Soil By Jaron Johnson Title: Comparing Potting Soil to Starter Soil The goal of finding out which soil is better to grow plants in' Background I wanted to learn which soil is most commonly used when planting flowers or vegetables. Which is the best' This project is designed to find out which soil works best by using two different types. In the world of soil today, which is a big business, there are many choices. Starter soils are excellent for starting a vegetable garden, but potting soil works well too. When researching this topic, one will find many suggestions. However, creating a garden is as much an art as it is a science ("How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors," 2013). Through trial and error, gardeners will find what works best ("How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors," 2013). Because I am doing this experiment in a certain part of the home, with particular temperature parameters and light conditions, results may vary from the results of other gardeners. Date and Time Started 10/11/2013 7:00 PM Expected Date Parameters as to When Seedlings Should Emerge 10/ 18, 2013 to 10/ 21/2013 Expected Date of Project Completion 12/9/2013 Materials Used 2 Standard Plant Pots Gravel Rocks Seedlings (Radish Cherry Belle) Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix. Contains mix of coconut fibers, Canadians phagnum peat moss, and a wetting agent to provide superior water holding and releasing environment. Protects plants against the effects of over and under watering. Enriched with Miracle-Gro plant food. An AquaCoir formula helps reduce plant stress between watering. Provides added protection during hot and dry weather" (Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix 2013).Plantation Seed Starter Soil. Plantation's seed starter mix is a high quality mix containing sphagnum peat moss, horticultural grade vermiculite, perlite, starter fertilizer and a wetting agent. Ideal for seed starting and popular as a general planting mix for year round… (Plantation Products, 2013). Actions Conducting this investigation reports using a standard plant pot, placing gravel rocks at the bottom of each pot and allowing the water to drain. Putting 4 inches of Miracle-Gro Moisture Control potting mix in one pot and then Plantation Seed Starter Soil in the other pot. Gathered a number of rocks from his neighbor's driveway. Pictures were taken to document the stage at which the plant had been along the way, and a journal will mark future observations, in addition to pictures demonstrating progress. Observations Three weeks into the project nothing had grown. The plants have nothing showing. The plants soil has a bad smell. I have changed the pot and tried to put a heat lamp on top of it. I put the plant out in the daytime and bring into the house about 5pm. Conclusion I would say that this time of the year is not a good time to try to grow some plants. I think this is a summer time project. I think the weather has a lot to do with why it has not started to grow. Seed Depth I used a ruler and measure to see how deep the seeds were placed 4 ½ inches in. Seed Spacing They are about 2 inches in Put four seed’s into the dirt on both plants. Temperature The weather is been 40 at night and warm in the day about 60. Caution 1 Plants do grow in about 4 to 5 weeks. With a lot of sun. They grow better in the ground. And in the summer time. References: How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_12174_start- vegetable-seeds.html Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.shopping.com/xPC- Scotts_Lawn_Care_Miracle_Gro_Moisture_Control_Potting_Soil_ 1_Cu_Ft~r-1~CLT-INTR~RFR-www.google.com Plantation Products. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.plantationproducts.com/soiladditives.htm