Results 1 to 10 of 10
Thread: Topsoil
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks-
05-24-2008, 09:18 PM #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Monterey, CA
- Age
- 30
- Posts
- 2,336
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 25
Topsoil
I just made a raised garden bed to grow things like corn, maters, etc... and I didn't put too much thought into what I filled it with. I was going to put 10 cf of Greensmix topsoil and fill the rest with some type of organic material. I didn't think for a second that the topsoil wouldn't be okay to grow food in. Should I use an actual veggie/flower mix? or would the topsoil be okay?
~Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.~
~The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.~
-
05-24-2008, 09:24 PM #2Moderator
- Join Date
- Jan 2007
- Location
- I.O.W.A.!!!!!
- Age
- 41
- Posts
- 3,719
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Blog Entries
- 3
- Rep Power
- 23
ummm, what's a "mater"?
:
Traci
dh 20 years
ds 14 ~ Russia
ds 14 ~ Russia
dd 6 ~ China
-
05-24-2008, 09:25 PM #3Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Monterey, CA
- Age
- 30
- Posts
- 2,336
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 25
Tomatoes.
~Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.~
~The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.~
-
05-24-2008, 09:33 PM #4Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Poulsbo, WA
- Posts
- 2,131
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 13
Nishu -
I don't garden (yet), but I've heard Emu Topsoil (off of Bond Rd in Poulsbo) is really good. Its organic, I don't know much else, I've just heard great stuff about it.
http://www.emutopsoil.net/index.htm~Jessica
"Sometimes single" wife to commercial airline pilot Jason (aka "angrypuppy")
and homeschooling mama to Ben & Carter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEBT:
BECU: $2671.16 PAID
AmEx: $8500.00 PAID
Truck: $10,000.00 PAID
BoA: $12,000.00 PAID
Van: $20,000.00 PAID
HELOC: $47,000.00
-
05-24-2008, 09:38 PM #5Registered User
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Posts
- 3,216
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Blog Entries
- 11
- Rep Power
- 24
Nothings a mater... whats a matter with you???
Originally Posted by IntlMom
I can't be out of money... I still have checks left!
Momma to the DivaMy Blog: http://more-than-bonbons.blogspot.com
Old Lady to the Old Man
BS1: DONE BS2: DONE BS3: working on it BS4 :eventually (at 3% now) BS5: DONE BS6: DONE BS7: someday
OMG, we're going on our first cruise together??? 2 July 12
2012 Challenges
Change Jar
Vacation Fund - done
Drink Water
Get Moving
100% Homemade Holidays
-
05-24-2008, 09:42 PM #6Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Poulsbo, WA
- Posts
- 2,131
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 13
Originally Posted by Lady_V
Nothings a mater... whats a matter with you???
You're just all about the veggie jokes tonight, aren't ya?~Jessica
"Sometimes single" wife to commercial airline pilot Jason (aka "angrypuppy")
and homeschooling mama to Ben & Carter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEBT:
BECU: $2671.16 PAID
AmEx: $8500.00 PAID
Truck: $10,000.00 PAID
BoA: $12,000.00 PAID
Van: $20,000.00 PAID
HELOC: $47,000.00
-
05-25-2008, 08:09 AM #7Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Ohio
- Posts
- 211
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 5
Topsoil is fine. What kind of oraganic matter are you going to put into your topsoil? Sometypes like Peat moss will hold lots of water you might end up waterlogging your raised bed if you aren't careful.
-
05-25-2008, 08:21 AM #8Registered User
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
- Location
- Rockport, MA
- Posts
- 1,020
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 9
I was going to say what Betterlate said. I guess... I should now say... better late than never. huh?
I'm doing an experiment (I do an experiment every year)
I read - that if you empty a 20# bag of compost and cover it a 40# bag of topsoil and plant a big feeders like 4 squash plants... they'll just take off. Because underneath the topsoil is the manure that they will grow their roots to reach for.
I think the reason gardeners stay away from topsoil is because the weed seeds that are in it.
Other than that, as long as you amend the soil with organic matter- you're good to go.
what's a mater! you girls crack me up!
-
05-25-2008, 12:04 PM #9Registered User
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- suburbs of Baltimore, MD
- Posts
- 1,167
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 8
I use top soil mixed with peat moss to fill my raised beds. I also add some compost from my bin. I mix it in the wheelbarrow before dumping in the bed.
-
05-25-2008, 01:10 PM #10Registered User
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Arkansas Ozarks
- Posts
- 980
- Post Thanks / WTG / Hug
- Rep Power
- 8
Topsoil alone doesn't have the nutrients needed to grow healthy plants. Organic matter is needed. Compost is good. A soil test is best to determine what your exact needs are. Your local agri extension agency will do a soil test for you, in my county they are free... check with yours. This will tell you what you need to do to amend your soil (more nitrogen is normal) and will usually have recommendations. The recommendations are not usually organic, but you can find organic means of achieving the same results.
We make our own compost and mix it in with topsoil. Each year we add and amend based on our soil tests and crop rotations... corn sucks nitrogen out, beans put the nitrogen back in (why the 3 sisters planting works well). Worm castings, rabbit droppings and green fertilizer (made from algae, kelp, etc) work very well for boosting the nutrient contents of the soil.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks