What Is Each Soil Type?
Choosing the right soil is the most impactful decision you will make for your garden. The wrong soil type can stunt growth, cause root rot, or starve your plants of nutrients regardless of how well you water and fertilize. In Philippine garden shops, you will encounter three main soil products: garden soil, loam soil, and potting mix. Each serves a different purpose.
Garden Soil
Garden soil is a broad commercial term for bulk soil sold for outdoor gardening use. It typically consists of natural topsoil mixed with organic matter such as compost, decomposed leaves, or animal manure. The exact composition varies widely by supplier. Garden soil is heavier and denser than the other two types, with a higher clay content that helps it retain moisture and nutrients in ground-level beds.
In the Philippines, garden soil is the most affordable option and is commonly sold in sacks (10 to 20 kilograms) or by the truckload for larger projects. You can order garden soil from Urban Goes Green with same-day delivery in Metro Manila.
Loam Soil
Loam soil is a specific soil texture considered the gold standard for plant growth. True loam contains approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay, creating a balanced medium that drains well while retaining adequate moisture and nutrients. When you squeeze a handful of moist loam, it holds its shape briefly then crumbles apart - neither sticky like clay nor falling apart like sand.
Loam soil is ideal for almost every type of gardening in the Philippines. It provides excellent root aeration, balanced drainage, and strong nutrient-holding capacity. Order quality loam soil here.
Potting Mix
Potting mix (also called potting soil or soilless mix) is a lightweight, engineered growing medium designed specifically for container plants. Despite its name, many potting mixes contain little or no actual soil. Instead, they are blends of peat moss or coconut coir, perlite or vermiculite, compost, and sometimes slow-release fertilizer.
Potting mix is formulated to solve the specific challenges of container growing: it resists compaction, drains quickly while holding some moisture, and stays lightweight. It is the most expensive of the three soil types but delivers the best results for pot-grown plants.
Composition Differences
Understanding what goes into each soil type explains why they behave differently in your garden.
| Component | Garden Soil | Loam Soil | Potting Mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Content | Varies (often low) | ~40% | 0 - 10% (or perlite instead) |
| Silt Content | Varies | ~40% | Minimal to none |
| Clay Content | Often 30 - 50% | ~20% | None |
| Organic Matter | 5 - 15% (compost/manure) | 5 - 10% | 60 - 80% (coir/peat) |
| Drainage Agents | Usually none added | Natural sand provides drainage | Perlite, rice hull, pumice |
| Weight (per liter) | Heavy (1.2 - 1.5 kg) | Medium (1.0 - 1.3 kg) | Light (0.3 - 0.6 kg) |
| pH Range | 5.5 - 7.5 (variable) | 6.0 - 7.0 (ideal) | 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic) |
Full Comparison Table
This comprehensive table compares all three soil types across the criteria that matter most to Filipino gardeners.
| Criteria | Garden Soil | Loam Soil | Potting Mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Ground beds, filling raised beds | All-purpose, raised beds, ground | Containers, indoor plants |
| Drainage | Poor to moderate | Good | Excellent |
| Moisture Retention | High (can waterlog) | Balanced | Moderate (dries faster) |
| Nutrient Content | Moderate to high | Moderate | Low (needs fertilizer) |
| Aeration | Poor (compacts easily) | Good | Excellent |
| Container Use | Not recommended alone | Good with amendments | Ideal |
| Weight | Heavy | Medium | Light |
| Cost Per Sack | P50 - P100 | P75 - P150 | P120 - P350 |
| Weed Seeds | Often present | May contain some | Usually sterile |
| Shelf Life | Indefinite (outdoor use) | Indefinite | 1 - 2 seasons (breaks down) |
When to Use Each Soil Type
Use Garden Soil When:
- Filling large raised beds - Garden soil is the most cost-effective base for raised beds. Mix it with compost and rice hull for better drainage.
- Amending existing ground soil - If your yard has poor native soil, layering garden soil on top adds organic matter and improves structure.
- Landscaping projects - For large areas like new lawns, flower beds, or garden paths, garden soil provides affordable bulk coverage.
- Budget is the priority - At 50 to 100 pesos per sack, garden soil is the most affordable option for large-scale planting.
Shop Garden Soil at Urban Goes Green →
Use Loam Soil When:
- Growing vegetables - Loam's balanced drainage and nutrient retention make it the top choice for food production.
- Planting fruit trees and shrubs - The medium weight and strong structure support deep root development.
- You want the best all-around soil - Loam works in ground beds, raised beds, and large containers (with amendments).
- Soil base for custom mixes - Loam is the ideal starting point for any custom soil blend because of its balanced properties.
Shop Loam Soil at Urban Goes Green →
Get the right soil delivered to your doorstep
We carry both premium garden soil and loam soil with same-day Lalamove delivery across Metro Manila. Starting at P75 per pack.
Shop All Soil →Use Potting Mix When:
- Growing in containers and pots - Potting mix is specifically engineered for the confined, fast-draining environment of containers.
- Indoor plants - Its lightweight, sterile composition prevents pests and mold that thrive in heavier soils indoors.
- Seed starting - The fine, loose texture gives delicate seedling roots easy access to water and air.
- High-value ornamental plants - Orchids, succulents, and tropical houseplants need the precise drainage control that potting mix provides.
Recommended Mixing Ratios
Most experienced Filipino gardeners do not use any single soil type alone. Mixing soil types with amendments creates the perfect growing medium for each situation. Here are proven ratios.
For Containers (Pots, Grow Bags)
- 50% loam soil
- 30% compost or vermicast
- 20% carbonized rice hull or perlite
This mix provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture between watering sessions. It is significantly cheaper than buying pre-made potting mix.
For Raised Beds
- 60% loam soil
- 25% compost or vermicast
- 15% carbonized rice hull
This is the standard mix recommended for vegetable production in raised beds throughout Metro Manila and nearby areas.
For Ground-Level Garden Beds
- 70% garden soil or native soil
- 20% compost
- 10% rice hull (for clay-heavy soil) or garden soil (for sandy soil)
If your native ground soil is already decent, a simple top-dressing of 5 centimeters of compost mixed into the top 15 centimeters is often sufficient.
For Seed Starting
- 40% coconut coir
- 30% vermicast
- 30% carbonized rice hull
This soilless mix is sterile, lightweight, and provides the perfect moisture balance for germinating seeds.
Cost Comparison in Philippine Pesos
Price is a major factor for Filipino gardeners, especially when filling raised beds or multiple containers. Here is what each soil type costs as of 2026.
| Soil Type | Price Per Sack | Bulk Price (1 cu.m.) | Best Value For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Soil | P50 - P100 | P1,200 - P2,000 | Large beds, landscaping |
| Loam Soil | P75 - P150 | P1,500 - P3,000 | Vegetables, all-purpose |
| Potting Mix | P120 - P350 | P4,000 - P8,000 | Containers, indoor plants |
| Compost / Vermicast | P100 - P250 | P3,000 - P5,000 | Amendment for any soil |
| Carbonized Rice Hull | P50 - P120 | P1,500 - P3,000 | Drainage amendment |
Money-saving tip: Instead of buying expensive potting mix, make your own by combining loam soil (P75/sack) with compost (P100/sack) and rice hull (P50/sack). A 3-sack custom mix costs roughly P225 and fills 6 to 8 medium containers, compared to P350+ for the same volume of commercial potting mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between garden soil and loam soil?
Garden soil is a general term for any soil used in gardens, typically a blend of topsoil, compost, and amendments. Loam soil is a specific soil texture containing roughly 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay, creating an ideal balance of drainage and moisture retention. Loam soil is considered the gold standard for plant growth, while garden soil quality varies depending on the brand and composition.
Can I use garden soil in pots and containers?
Pure garden soil is not recommended for containers because it compacts too heavily, restricts drainage, and suffocates roots in the confined space of a pot. Instead, mix garden soil with amendments: use 50% garden soil, 30% compost or vermicast, and 20% rice hull or perlite for adequate drainage. Better yet, use a purpose-made potting mix for containers.
How much does loam soil cost in the Philippines?
Loam soil in the Philippines costs between 75 and 150 pesos per standard sack (approximately 10 to 15 kilograms) when purchased from garden supply shops in Metro Manila. Bulk orders of 1 cubic meter or more typically cost 1,500 to 3,000 pesos with delivery. Prices vary by supplier and delivery location.
What soil mix should I use for raised beds?
The ideal raised bed soil mix for Philippine gardens is 60% loam soil, 25% compost or vermicast, and 15% carbonized rice hull. This ratio provides excellent drainage, nutrient content, and root aeration. For a standard 4-foot by 8-foot raised bed that is 12 inches deep, you will need approximately 0.9 cubic meters of this mixed soil.