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Posted: Mar/31/2008 1:03 PM PST
Who would've know there are so many options.... So here's the deal: I've just built two above ground outdoor planter boxes (12'x3'x1') for vegetables. I need to fill it with soil, but unsure what to buy at my local box store. Seems like I have choices ranging from: Potting soil, Garden soil plus compost/top soil/gromulch/peat moss/manure. I'm open to mixing the different types to maximize soil benefits and keeping the cost reasonable.  You know of any standard definitions of each soil type so I can decide which to purchase? Any thoughts or resources? |
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Posted: Mar/31/2008 5:48 PM PST
i think the bed at my uncles house has topsoil in it an every year we add eighter manure or sawdust usially the dust thesedays my pots that i have here were filled with topsoil an some compost tho i grow herbs in my pots there havent been any issues yet an i think 1 is gooin into its like 3rd or 4th year (the small used fer seedlings is the oldest then theres one tyhat my mom uses fer tomatoes or peppers no issues there an yea) id say bottom of compost like 50-50 compost to topsoil then fill with like 10% compost should work well --i grow herbs so i have no issues or that an the bad leaves become itsown compost the next year |
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Posted: Mar/31/2008 7:02 PM PST
With soil, there are a few things to consider-- pH level, that is, how acidic or alkaline the soil is. A 7 is neutral, below that is acidic, and above that is alkaline. Soil texture or composition (there's probably a more correct term), which can range from clay, to loam, to sandy. And nutrients. The pH level of any topsoil, or garden soil should be adequate for most vegetables. Topsoil is basically the soil without any of the extras--no nutrients and nothing to conserve moisture. Potting soil usually has perlite in it--those white bits that seem like bits of styrofoam. Perlite helps with drainage--to prevent soil compaction. Peat moss is acidic, and retains moisture better than regular soil. Compost is nutrient rich soil--made of decomposed leaves, kitchen scraps, etc. and usually has a loamy texture. In the future, you may want to start your own compost pile to recycle leaves and kitchen scraps, and so you don't have to buy compost. Composted manure is nutrient rich and also helps with the texture of the soil. Plants each have their own special requirements, but most will do well in a slightly acidic, loamy, nutrient rich soil. To begin with, and to help keep costs down, I would say do the bottom 6"-8" in topsoil, and the top 4"-6" in garden soil that is enriched with manure, compost, etc. Granular fertilizer would probably also be a good addition at planting. |
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Posted: Mar/31/2008 7:06 PM PST
If you wanna get real technical you should decide what your going to be growing in each, where it will be located etc... For example if your gonna be growing carrots you would wanna use a mixture that is "light & airy" so the carrots dont have to be displacing heavy clay like soil in order to reach... or if its gonna be in a high sunlight area you may wanna add some sphagnum moss into the mixture for better water retention ! |
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Posted: May/20/2008 3:22 AM PST
Everything I've been reading is saying not to use garden soil in containers. It's not designed for containers. I assume though that you can add stuff to it to make it so it's sufficient. |
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