Top soil, dirt, mulch, manure, peat moss...so confusing! Help!

meg1964

15 years ago

I want to build a raised bed perennial garden and I am confused about what goes in there so far as soil (does this mean top soil?), manure, peat moss etc? In what proportions? Thanks

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Comments (5)

coolplantsguy
15 years ago
My favourite for a perennial bed is "triple-mix" -- equal parts of topsoil, compost and peat-moss. This should be widely available at garden centres, landscaping supply stores, and even the big boxes -- but quality will differ.

Here's to dirt under your nails! ;)
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
Like the soil you have in your garden, topsoil can vary greatly. There is no formula that says it will be this percentage of sand, that percent clay, and the balance silt with maybe 2 percent vegetative matter. For this reason you will have to depend on the landscape supply to sell you a quality product. Visit the sellers and buy from the firm that will talk to you and answer your questions about the source of his produce and its composition. Most people buying "topsoil" are doing so because they think something is wrong with the soil they already have. I have seen topsoil who's only advantage is it contains a weed so prolific it is "imported". Shop around, the price will be about the same where ever you buy. Al
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Pnbrown: Who says it's ok digging Forrest soil? In the other thread I mentioned that I do take topsoil out if the woods for my garden, but my garden I never till.. I am taking small amount of topsoil maybe a few buckets full.. I am not digging up the whole forest for my garden... Maybe large farms it is unrealistic... But for us small gardeners i believe it is superior! If the large farms had the money I'm sure they would do it as well! Most farmers do till in manure and other amendments.. So they already are importing large quantities of amendments.. The only difference to my method is you aren't tilling it in, you are leaving it on top of the soil and planing in that.. Now you mentioned covering sod with soil is a gold idea is you planned ahead, but it is unrealistic for someone wanted a garden in April/may.. I cannot disagree with you more.. Tilling is much more labor intensive and inconvienent than merely piing up soilnandbcompost in a raised be and planting? Why couldnt you use my method and and plant in April/may? In fact i think my method is alot easier, quicker, convenient, better for the environment and better for the soil.. Joe
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this a question that cannot be answered by information supplied. compost is not a defined term. size? texture? water holding capacity? ability to drain? fertility? do the same for the (now composted) manure. and the original soil you are adding to. personally i use about 50% composted manure, 25% pine bark, 10% lava rock crushed under 1/2", and the balance a peat blend under the promix label. that's what i use now given the materials i have available to me. it also changes over time. one year i substituted shredded coconut for the pine bark. results comparable to favorable. one year i had a devil of a time finding an acceptable manure compost...things would be so much easier if i lowered my standards in part, this is an ongoing process and one that has no formula. you know want as a finished product and find the ingredients.and the ratios that meet that end. one year, after moving eight hundred miles i had to find new sources and when i made the container mix, i didn't like it so i added a lot of peat amd a little more manure til i was satisfied. as you do this more you'll understand more about how these things blend and how they hold up to your use. and sometimes you'll use what's cheap and love it and other times you won't. and all the best learming in the world can never substitute for your own experience.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
why do you need to raise the bed...

what is you normal soil ...

it appears... that you have little or no idea what you want to do .. BUT THAT WONT STOP YOU.. lol ... dont get me wrong.. all the power to ya ... but it MIGHT appear that you are starting at a college level course.. with first grade basics ...

i suggest.. you take a 10 by 10 foot bed.. in mother earth .. and grow some things... a nursery bed.. and start gaining some knowledge that way ...

and then spend the summer defining what you want.. and need for this raised bed that can cost you a lot of money ....

then tell us how big next years bed will be...

native soil

sunlight hours ..

how you plan on raising it ... RRoad timbers... retaining wall ... berm .. etc ...

drainage of native soil .. etc.. etc.. etc ...

it only took me about 15 years to realize.. you plant this year.. in the bed you made last year .... its a lot less stressful than trying to build a proper bed in a week so you can play in it this year ...

all that said... go the the topsoil guy ... have him walk the yard with you ... and get a good mix of topsoil.. it should be blackish .. with some native peat ... screened... and of a fine texture.. when wet... and you try to make a snowball.. it should hold together for a moment or two.. before releasing itself... and it should smell pleasant like a greenhouse ...

have him dump a couple yards.. flatten it out.. and plant away...

it can be as hard.. or as easy as you want to make it ...

ken

PS: how do you water on a berm??? it all runs off before it soaks in...
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
PS: how do you water on a berm??? it all runs off before it soaks in...

Not if you use the right type of soil and build the berm properly! I've constructed countless berms over the years, both for clients and personally, and all take watering perfectly well. You need a freely draining, moisture retentive soil mix with an appropriate amount of organic matter and the correct slope to the berm. And a large enough area :-)

As to why one chooses to use raised beds, there are many reasons......poor existing soil, improved drainage conditions, faster heating of soil in spring, convenience, etc. I like CPG's suggestion - a 3-way planting mix will generally get you the best combination of soil products in the proper proportions. And most bulk soil providers will have a product that fits this description. There is no definitive controls regarding anything labelled as "topsoil" - it could be construction fill, weedy, rocky, lacking in any OM or nutrient content, etc. Never purchase anything called "topsoil", bagged or in bulk, without examining it closely first.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
the gal strikes again .. lol ...

i know why.. and i know how ....

my point .. if i had one.. was all the variables that need to be addressed ...

what we dont know at this time.. unless i missed it.. is why they are enamored with a raised bed ... the first sentence of the first post ... all i ask is WHY ... is there a reason ... it isnt inherently necessary .. it is an extreme cost for aesthetics ... and growing perennials can be so simple ....

if budget is of no consequence ... and multiplying your odds of failure dont matter.. start the hard way.. you will figure it out sooner or later ... but give us some more facts.. and maybe we can help you sort it all out ...

in the mean time.. just go plant some in mother earth.. while you figure out this dream bed.. and then in fall.. you can move those plants to the new bed ...

ken

Top soil, dirt, mulch, manure, peat moss...so confusing! Help!

Comments (5)

coolplantsguy

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

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