The problem with your soil is your yard dirt, which is too heavy. You can grow as it is, and they don't look too bad, but for best results, plants like loose and easily available for space for root growth. If you are going to grow in containers, potting soil will work if you don't have anything else around. Don't buy the cheapest you can find, because it might be worse than what you have. A good potting soil will have everything you need in it already...including perlite (the little white crunchy balls that look like Styrofoam). Some will already have some degree of fertilizer in it...get the best that you can. Obviously, there is a lot you can do to improve your operation, but if you don't have access to anything other than potting soil, go for it! A good grow requires a little bit of pre planning...get your supplies and stuff before hand and the next grow will go much smoother. :cool: