Yes. it is alot easier for the roots to get through soil that is softerand breaks apart easier. Also hard ground/soil doesn't have very good drainage which is bad.
This sounds like the problem im having with my 2 plants in peat moss there six days old but the ones planted in soil i got in my garden are 7 days old and double the size of my peat moss plants
yea im starting out in potting soil but i want to transplant to the ground and the dirt where i live is like redish clay. so idk if it is going to have a hard time growing