Question about Austin Texas soil

[Dark Rumor]

I am gonna help my sister-n-law plant tomatoes in Austin, can someone help me, do I need to do raised beds or should I use the existing soil, if so what amendments do I need to add, thanks.

[hornstrider]

Dark Rumor.....I live in Hutto just northeast of Austin. If your sister lives west of IH 35 she likely has very little top soil. I would suggest building raised beds. Whittlesey Landscape Supplies north of Austin has a rose blend mix I like to use. Be sure to add compost to the soil. I also add Alfalfa pellets to my beds.

[Dark Rumor]

Originally Posted by hornstrider

Dark Rumor.....I live in Hutto just northeast of Austin. If your sister lives west of IH 35 she likely has very little top soil. I would suggest building raised beds. Whittlesey Landscape Supplies north of Austin has a rose blend mix I like to use. Be sure to add compost to the soil. I also add Alfalfa pellets to my beds.

Looks like she is southwest of Austin and west of I35. Guess I will do some raised beds and add some alfalfa pellets to the mix, I usually use peat, compost and pearlite or pine bark.

Do you think the soil has a clay base or is it something else?