There is a large selection of soil for balconies and gardens. But what is the difference between potting soil, universal soil and potting soil? And can you safely take advantage of cheap offers? ----------- This video is an excerpt from the broadcast on March 29, 2022. Full market check episodes in the media library: http://x.swr.de/s/13zv ----------- POTTERY, PLANTING SOIL AND UNIVERSAL SOIL Potting soil is used for balcony, indoor or potted plants. This has a high water absorption capacity, which is usually due to a high peat content. However, since peat mining has a negative impact on the environment, consumers should rather use peat-free soil. In contrast to potting soil, potting soil is more likely to be found in the garden. This type of soil improver makes growth easier and is suitable for fruit trees and shrubs. Here, too, peat-free is best. Universal soil can be used in many ways. It is suitable for growing vegetables and can be used for berry bushes in the garden as well as for potted plants. Universal soils without peat usually consist of compost, bark humus and wood fibers. DO YOU NEED SPECIAL SOILS? You don't necessarily need special soils for roses, geraniums, citrus fruits or even tomatoes. However, according to Volker Kugel, head of the Blooming Baroque, you should use special acidic peat soil for planting heather and bog plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. THE PROBLEM WITH PEAT Peat is low in nutrients, stores a lot of water and is therefore ideal for fertilizing all plant needs. However, moors - the largest carbon stores on land - suffer from peat mining. They are drained and CO2 escapes. In order to protect the moors and thus the environment, consumers should use peat-free soil. WHAT ARE CHEAP DISCOUNT SOILS GOOD FOR? Kugel describes the Aldi potting soil for 12 cents per liter - about half as expensive as branded soil - as a structurally stable, high-quality material. However, due to the very high peat content of 98 percent, the discounter soil gets a minus point from him. The soil from Lidl costs 10 cents per liter and is also peat-free. Volker Kugel notices a lot of coarse woody parts in the soil, which he describes as not optimal. Lidl announced in this regard that the grain size is coarser due to the use of natural peat substitutes, but that this does not affect the quality of the soil. Author: Patrick Jauß Image source: Unsplash / Gabriel Jimenez ----------- ► Cottage garden in front of the house: A place for all the senses Marktcheck SWR: • Video ► How to turn the front garden into an oasis Marktcheck SWR: • How to turn the front garden into an oasis Mark... ► Potting soil - make your own nutrient-rich soil Marktcheck SWR: • Video ► Marktcheck finds out: Is the potting soil acidic enough? Marktcheck SWR: • Video ► How cut flowers stay fresh in a vase for a long time SWR Marktcheck: • Video ----------- ► More information about the show on our homepage: https://www.swrfernsehen.de/marktcheck/ ► More about Marktcheck on our Facebook page: / marktcheck ► You can subscribe to our channel here: http://x.swr.de/s/13x1 ► You can find more about our Ökocheckers on Instagram: / oekochecker ► Comments are welcome - but please observe the netiquette: https://www.swr.de/home/netiquette-10... ► Legal notice: https://www.swr.de/impressum/ #Earth #Potting soil #Peat