Which one does your garden really need: Premium garden mix or standard soil?

You're not the only one who has stood in a landscaping yard in Sydney and looked at two huge piles of dirt, wondering, "Is the expensive stuff really worth the extra money?" The age-old question is whether Premium Garden Mix is better than Standard Soil.

They both look like filth on paper. But whether you want your flower bed to explode or your veggie patch to grow, the difference is tremendous. It all depends on what's going on underneath the surface, like how effectively it holds water, how well it feeds your plants, and how well it holds its shape. 

Let's figure out which one you should really be putting in your trailer.

So, what is Premium Garden Mix, exactly?

If you want to give your plants a superfood smoothie, think about Premium Garden Mix. It wasn't merely dug up; it was made. It's usually a mix made to fix the challenges we have with Australian soil.

It usually mixes screened topsoil with a mix of other ingredients:

• Composting organic matter to nourish the roots naturally.
  

• Sand and coco peat (or sawdust) will let the water out but keep the moisture in.
  

• Manure or decomposed bark to get the microbes going.
  

What people like about it:

It's pretty much "plug and play." You don't have to buy extra bags of cow dung or special fertilisers straight away. It doesn't turn into a concrete block as it dries out because of the organic stuff. This is a huge bonus because Sydney's weather is so unpredictable.

What about regular soil?

Standard Soil, which is often called "General Garden Soil" or "Landscape Mix," is the most common type. In most cases, it's screened topsoil with a little bit of organic matter to make it easier to deal with.

The soil isn't "bad," it's just plain. It doesn't have the fluffiness or nutrient density of the higher-quality items. It's great for filling in holes in the grass or levelling off a backyard before you put down turf, but it doesn't have the high-octane fuel that heavy feeders like tomatoes or roses need.

The Battle: Premium vs. Standard

Here's the real deal on how they compare.

1. Food

Premium Mix is full of composts and manures. Standard soil is less rich, so if you want your plants to truly grow, you'll probably need to add fertiliser yourself.

2. The "Soggy Roots" Factor (drainage)

This is where Premium wins by a long shot. Water runs through it readily because it has both sand and organic matter in it. Standard soil can sometimes get very hard, especially if it has a lot of clay in it. This might suffocate plant roots when it rains a lot.

3. Work

Premium is all set. Standard soil frequently needs "conditioning," which means you'll need to mix in your own compost and other things to get it ready to plant.

4. The Wallet Hit

Yes, Premium costs more at the start. But if you buy Standard soil and then have to buy bags of compost, gypsum and fertiliser to correct it, the price difference goes away rather quickly.

Why This Is Important for Sydney Gardens

Geologically, we live in a strange place. If you live near the ocean, you presumably garden on sand that doesn't hold any water. If you live in the west, you're probably dealing with thick clay that splits in the summer and floods in the winter.

Premium Garden Mix protects both. Organic matter acts like a sponge in sandy places, soaking up water. The extra structure in clay areas keeps the soil from smothering your plants.

This is why local stores like Ace Landscapes & Turf Supplies or ANL usually recommend the best blends for garden beds: they know they will last in the local weather.

What's Really in the Good Stuff?

You should be able to see that the texture crumbles readily when you grasp a handful of good mix. A good mix that fulfils Australian Standards like AS4419 usually looks like this:

• 30–40% Composted Organics: The food source.
  

• 20–30% coarse sand: the mechanism for draining water.
  

• 10–15% Coco Peat/Sawdust: The thing that keeps the moisture in.
  

• 20–30% topsoil: the basis of minerals.
  

• A little bit of gypsum or lime to maintain the pH level stable.
  

How to Use It Without Spending Too Much Money

Don't merely pour the new dirt on top of the old hard ground.

• Get rid of everything: Take out pebbles and weeds.
  

• Take it apart: A little bit of turning over your soil is all you need. This helps the fresh mix "marry" with the ground so that roots don't hit a hard barrier later.
  

• Fill it: Depending on what you're planting, try to dig a hole that is 10 to 30 centimetres deep.
  

This is not up for discussion in Australia: mulch it. Put some sugar cane or wood chips on top to keep the sun from drying up the nutrients in your fresh soil.

Quick Questions and Answers (The Things You Really Want to Know)

Is Premium Mix really worth the hype?

To be honest? Yeah. The cost of unsuccessful plants in bad soil is more than the difference in soil price if you are growing vegetables or pricey plants. Later on, it will pay for itself with lower fertiliser costs.

Can I add it to the soil I already have?

Absolutely. A 50/50 mix is frequently ideal because it slowly gets your plants used to the natural ground conditions.

Is standard soil dangerous for plants?

No, although it's better for plants that are "tough." It works well for natives, lawns, and tough plants. Just don't try to grow a prize-winning pumpkin in it without first adding some compost.

Can I use it in pots?

You can, but be careful. The "Garden Mix" is heavier than the "Potting Mix." Mix in some perlite to keep it airy if you use it in pots. If you don't, it might get too thick.

The Decision: Which One Should You Buy?

Pick Premium Garden Mix if:

• You are making raised beds for vegetables.
  

• You are putting in a flower garden that you want to show off.
  

• You want something that doesn't need much care (less fertilising later).
  

Select Standard Soil if:

• You are either filling in a big hole or levelling a yard.
  

• You are putting down sod (grass likes a strong base).

• You are putting in tough native plants that don't appreciate rich soil.
  

Before you buy a lot of something, ask the supplier (Ace, ANL, or your local yard) for the test results. Good vendors check their batches to make sure they aren't overly acidic or basic.

Soil is the most important thing at the end of the day. You can change your plants next season, however changing your soil is a real pain. You usually save yourself a lot of trouble later on by spending a little more on the Premium Mix now.