Might as well use what you've already got. Next time around just get compost from a local nursery. Or keep making your own.

Any time you buy soil in a store you are spending a lot of money unnecessarily. When I was in San Diego many years ago I did not see a lot of deciduous trees to supply lots of organic matter yet Balboa Gardens did not seem to have much trouble getting all they needed, and all you need to make the soil you have into a good, healthy soil is to add lots of organic matter to that soil. Even palm fronds are good. Until you can find a good source of organic matter you might want to spend some money at the store buying compost, but there is no good reason to buy "soil".

Be sure to use plenty of mulch that will break down eventually and add organic matter to your soil. while helping maintain moisture and reduce weeds. Lots of good threads here on mulches that you can get, often for free!

Ahhh, Balboa Gardens. What a place!

Thanks! I'll read up some more on mulch options and perhaps buy some compost if I can't find any other options. I just picked up some wire for a new compost bin today, as the one I had was too shallow, which was why I wasn't having any success getting compost, and I am so excited! I never thought composting would make me so happy...I've even broken out the shredder to shred old newspaper and ads, and I think I was more happy about having lemons to add to the pile than the homemade lemonade that I made from them for the kids!

This whole process is quite addictive. No more bagged soil for me!!

Thanks again!

I don't see a big problem with using bagged soil. It will give your garden a jump-start. It takes time, and a lot of work, to get an organic garden working. And it takes access to the resources. Resources like leaves in the fall, and grass clippings.

Your area is warm, sometimes hot, and windy, if I'm recalling correctly. You'll want to keep the soil covered with either organic mulch, or if you can't get enough of that, with plastic mulch, to keep the soil from drying out.

Organic techniques are a focus on the soil, not the plant. It takes longer to get the soil right.

WOO HOO!! I just found out that I can get 2 cubic yards of compost or mulch for free at the landfill if I load it myself- YAY! I wonder how many times I can do that..hmmm, perhaps I need to round up all of my friends with trucks..just kidding! In my new found attempt to reduce waste and consumption, getting free compost or mulch is a major score! Just not sure why I bought bags of soil to start with...live and learn.

Just had to share! : O)

Oh, and I formed the compost bin using the wire I bought this morning. I had bloody hands as a result..stupid wire ends are sharp, but I have a proper bin size to hopefully make my own stuff now.

Hey, that's great! That will turn your McSoil into some real rocket fuel. You pay your taxes, and finally you get a special prize back. I have to pay for mine, even though it's a city utility.

Rock on!

One word of warning: IF this was Miracle Grow Garden Soil (label on the bags), there have been discussions about problems with it's use IF used straight. It is intended by the manufacturer to be used as a soil amendment only, added to existing garden dirt and NOT as the only content in the bed and never in containers. Some of this is discussed on the bag but more info is available on the website. The problems are primarily ones of poor drainage and compaction causing root damage to the plants.

If it was then adding lots of compost to it will resolve the problems with it. If it wasn't MG, feel free to ignore this info. ;)

Dave

If one has lots of money they do not know what else to do with then spending in commercial garden soil is okay, but most of us have much better things to spend our money on, and since most of the material needed to make good soil is readily available and free there is no need to spend money on "soil", aside from the fact that you really do not know what you are getting.

Jeepers, kimmsr, that's a bit harsh. Some people have more money than time, so buying soil makes sense if they want a viable garden.

Hmmm, I unfortunately don't fit into the "more money than time" group. My mistake was not researching before jumping in head first, as I would have learned that there are other alternatives to good garden soil besides commercial bags. Live and learn. I'm looking to learn as much as I can at this point...before doing something else unnecessary. This site has been a treasuretrove of info. Thanks to everyone that is so willing to give advice! : )

Digdirt- Yes, it was MG, and I did mix a little of my own soil in, but not very much. Thanks for the heads up on that! (I didn't read the instructions, obviously.) I planted a few things today and removed some of the MG soil, mixing in more of my original soil. To my delight, I found worms!! There were no worms when I initially dug out that area. I am happy about this, as I had read that good soil has worms, though am somewhat apprehensive about being overly joyful, as I am sure there are some nasty worms out there that I don't want. We have had a ton of rain since I initially dug that area, which may have made an impact on their presence. I'm going to research the presence of worms in garden soil tonight so that I will be able to keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors in the garden.

Idaho, everyone has the same amount of time. How you use that time is the key.

ragtimegal - the local compost will help it greatly - assuming it is half way decent stuff. And depending on the size of the bed adding some vermiculite or perlite will eliminate the tendency it has to compact and will improve drainage too. So the MG stuff isn't all bad news and the worms are a definite good sign too.

Good luck with the garden! ;)

Dave