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Vegetable Gardening

Miracle Gro garden soil

11 years ago

I put in my raised garden bed this w-end and filled it today with 7 bags (14 cubic feet) of Miracle Gro garden soil. Dummy me read the instructions on the bag when I was done and realized I was not to use this soil straight, but to mix it 50/50 with existing soil. What would happen if I left it as is? I've planted 2 tomatoes, and 3 type of squash. I also have bags of potting mix, is it possible to mix some of this in? Arghhhh, I've learned a hard lesson!

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Comments (5)

Deborah-SC
11 years ago
The question is are you willing to risk total failure? If you are, then leave it. If you're not then pull out the plants & do it as suggested. I know it sucks .... :(
Nunyabiz1
11 years ago
I would dig that up, mix it with a bag of Moo-Nure and a bag of Miracle Grow Potting Mix with moisture control.

I think what "might" happen is root rot.

I use straight MG potting mix myself, although I think next thing I pot I will mix about 1/4 to 1/3 of Moo-Nure with 2/3 to 3/4 of the MG potting mix W/ Moisture control.
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I wouldn't use any of them to start seeds, grow seedlings, or use in containers (the MG Garden Soil isn't supposed to be used in containers anyway) but I would add all of them to the garden bed with no hesitation. Mix them in a bit when you do for best benefits. Dave
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You shouldn't use that product for containers. They make potting mix for that. I've used it to grow tomatoes and flowers in pots and it works fine. I agree with kimmsr that the MG Garden Soil is not really soil, as it has no mineral soil content but is basically composted organic matter. If you need soil, either 1) amend what you have (with compost, including MG Garden Soil), 2) if you need small amounts of additional soil, buy a bag of topsoil, or 3) if you need large amounts, buy a truckload of topsoil or amended topsoil from a garden center.
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I take a bag of the Miracle-gro garden soil, some top soil and some of the native soil I will be transplanting into and mix it all together. Than when I am putting my transplants in the ground I make my hole a little bit bigger and fill it with that mixed soil for a little extra kick. Now mind you this is only the second year there has been a garden in my yard and it has a lot of clay so the plants can use a little extra help. Also take this with a grain of salt as this is also only my second garden and I know just enough to be dangerous to myself and others.
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I wouldn't worry about the steer manure. Fresh manure may contain e-coli but the stuff you buy in bags has been composted or dehydrated and won't be of any risk. I've used it before myself with no problems. Even if by some chance it wasn't composted properly and there was still e-coli present it can only survive in the soil for about 90 days. So by the time you harvest veggies in the fall there will be no risk. IT may have even been sitting in those bags for longer than 90 days. If you have some early veggies you'll be eating sooner just wash them well. No need to throw out all the soil. The reason the potting soil says not for containers is that the garden soil mix will not drain as well. It's not such a big deal in the ground as all the existing soil, microbes,worms, roots, etc. allows for drainage but can become an issue in containers where the soil compacts and prevents proper drainage. Do your raised beds have a non-porous bottom (like wood or being constructed on top of cement)? If so you might have some drainage problems with that mix. If you bed were built on top of existing soil or lawn you'll be fine. You could return the unopened bags and buy something intended for containers if you're really concerned. Adding vermiculite would also help (if you buy a container or potting type soil most often it'll already have vermiculite mixed in). You might also want to find some variety of manure if you can. Maybe return the other 2 bags of steer manure and try to find some other types. If that's all you have available then go ahead and use it.
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digdirt2
11 years ago
Mixing it with potting mix isn't going to solve the problems as many others have sadly discovered when they didn't read the bag first either (see you aren't alone). It also says not for use in containers and folks never see that part either.

It is supposed to be mixed with soil, dirt, plain old garden dirt and there is no dirt in potting mix. Dirt is needed to increase the soil tilth and to supply the necessary minerals, soil bacteria, and micro-nutrients. If you don't have any then buy some inexpensive bags of topsoil.

If you leave as is then the "total failure" Deborah mentioned above is not an exaggeration. Sorry.

Dave
Alleycat0622
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for your responses, I've learned a hard lesson! I do not intend to leave "as is", I'll go to the garden ctr tomorrow and purchase what I need. The bed is 10 inches deep so I'll have to purchase some dirt to mix in and fill that depth.
Deborah-SC
11 years ago
If you don't have a bottom on your container then why don't you just double dig down? Free dirt and all that -- yes, it is work -- trust me, I know! If you decide to buy topsoil here's a word of caution -- most "topsoil" is actually not topsoil. Read the ingredients before you buy! Most "topsoil" ingredients are "forest products, peat, compost, etc.". Black Kow (as in Black Kow compost) does sell topsoil but I only found it at a small feed & seed. Remember your results depend upon your prep work -- If you do it right the 1st time all you should need to add is some good compost along & along. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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