Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Explat]

What's the deal with potting soil and fertilizer here?

I see all sorts of weird stuff in the department stores: little round brown pellets, colored pebbles and stuff. But nothing that looks like potting soil.

And the fertilizer, the tubes of clear water that you are supposed to apply undiluted for 1,000 won. Is this a joke? Do they have any nitrogen in them?

I have bought some potted plants, but they either have a really light soil that doesn't seem to have any dirt in it, or really heavy, dense soil that looks like dirt dug up from the ground, too dense for pots.

And suggestions?

[crescent]

Those things you mentioned are decorative toppings for potted soil.
You will need to go to a decent sized flower shop to get decent potting mix. Costco also has huge bags of Miracle Gro potting mix, and Miracle Gro ferts.

Regular department stores and suprmarkets will not have what you need here. Go to a place that specializes in plants.

And, yes, those tubes that you plant into the soil to dispense 'plant food' do have nitrogen in them. But if you're planting flowers, it is P, and K that you wil need more.

[moosehead]

Emart in Seongsu has an excellent potting section with 2 kg bags of potting soil.


you can also wander by construction sites at nite with a bag and help yourself to some dirt they usually pile up for their leveling, landscaping, whatever.

oops but don't get caught tho I've seen ajummas do it also !!

[crescent]

[fancypants]

The Yangje flower market has everything you need for gardening, including potting soil. It's amazing there! You can buy lots of bedding out plants, vegetables, flowers, and even herbs. Look around and you will find basil. When I lived in Korea, I had a roof top apartment and I loved it! I had tons of tomatoes, green beans, arugula and enough basil in August to make about 3 litres of pesto.

Have fun gardening!

[Explat]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

Since I live on the other side of the country from Seoul, I guess I will have to put on my black jumpsuit, black gloves and blackface, and go out tonight and steal some soil.

[Zaria32]

Those colored pellety things are both decorative, and they hold water to keep the soil moist longer.

I've bought potting soil in E-Mart in Andong and Yeosu, and always find fertilzer (a liquid that you add to water) in flower shops

[Explat]

Cool avatar, crescent. Got any sisters anywhere?

I've noticed that the locals are dumping old houseplants this time of year, the Korean version of spring cleaning, I guess. Found some dumped out windows and on sidewalks, as well as by the back stairwells. Got some decent potting soil out of them, as well as a few semi-live plants.

I also found peat moss in the form of dry, compressed disks for 1,000 won. Just put in a bowl and add water, a lot of water. You need this to make the dirt lighter, or the plant roots won't grow.

Thanks again for the suggestions.