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Topic: Newbie Soil Help!

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Subject: Newbie Soil Help!
Date Posted: 12/27/2012 6:17 PM ET
Member Since: 12/24/2012
Posts: 13
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This year, I will be starting my first garden! 

I will be putting together a few raised beds using 1x12 frames approx. 100 square feet each.

The part I need help with is the soil. Looking around at the stores, organic soil seems to be a bit pricey for how i will need.  Would it be ok just to mostly fill the frames with bags of top soil followed by a layer of organic soil? 

I apologize for the potentially silly question, but I have to start somewhere! Thank you!

cyndij avatar
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Date Posted: 12/31/2012 4:59 PM ET
Member Since: 3/15/2008
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Is being completely organic very important to you?  If so, you would want to be careful about what's in the bags of top soil you buy, because they might have chemical fertilizers or other amendments that aren't organic. But if you're not that concerned, then you can use any mix you want.  I think anything you buy bagged isn't going to have a lot of chemicals in it.

But a bigger question, that's a lot of bags organic or not. Have you talked to local nurseries or landscapers about getting a truckload of soil delivered?

louieg avatar
Date Posted: 1/2/2013 8:11 PM ET
Member Since: 1/12/2011
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Would you have access to a pick up truck? If you can get to a nursery that sells black garden dirt by the yard it's way cheaper that way. I think when we've bought a truck load it was less than $30.

I agree w/ Cyndi - we also had a small truck delivered last summer. It was 7 yards and was $135 delivered thereabouts.

ETA - Yards not Years!



Last Edited on: 1/2/13 8:14 PM ET - Total times edited: 2
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Date Posted: 1/2/2013 9:45 PM ET
Member Since: 12/24/2012
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I didn't even think about having it trucked in, duh! I appreciate the replies. The soil around my place is black clay, no fun at all!

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Date Posted: 1/31/2013 10:51 PM ET
Member Since: 1/16/2009
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Once you get the soil in, you will find that it will diminsh as the organic materials in it "burn" out.   You want to mulch the garden as soon as you get it in, and try to work in a green manure in the off season.   This will keep your raised beds healthy, and and heavy use of mulch and green manure will even make your black clay easy to work. 

 

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2004-02-01/Ruth-Stouts-System.aspx#axzz2JcEosdQw

 

Good luck  



Last Edited on: 3/10/13 6:15 PM ET - Total times edited: 1