what top soil to use?

aimeruni · March 28, 2012

NOTE:Soil mix used isn't soil less mix (Miracle gro, etc.); isn't potting mix/soil either. All soil found is 40 lbs. per bag.

Topsoil will be used in raised beds, isn't only thing in them; is an 'ingredient' in a soil mix.

What was found yesterday, listed below:

Normal Topsoil; is this just 'black dirt' w/out anything mixed in?

Garden Magic (blend of topsoil, peat, and sand)

Mixes want to use call for peat as separate ingredient.

Should I just use normal topsoil ? Want decent quality topsoil, not something that is blended though. Supposedly packaged topsoil can have soilborne
microbes and/or weed seeds. Is this true?

Soil mixes are below for reference:

Mix one:65% screened top soil, 20% compost, 10% well aged manure, and 5% peat.

Mix two:

"I would suggest a raised bed soil would be about 70-80% mineral components as the structural base - topsoil, sand, fine Turface ... and 20-30% other organic ingredients to make up the rest. It won't matter much what the organic ingredients ARE, because at that low % they won't affect the structure much as it relates to drainage. I think that finished compost or pine bark fines are an excellent addition because neither will significantly immobilize nitrogen (even if it does, that's fixable). Reed/sedge peat is another good choice."

RebelRidin · March 28, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimeruni

NOTE:Soil mix used isn't soil less mix (Miracle gro, etc.); isn't potting mix/soil either. All soil found is 40 lbs. per bag.

Topsoil will be used in raised beds, isn't only thing in them; is an 'ingredient' in a soil mix.

What was found yesterday, listed below:

Normal Topsoil; is this just 'black dirt' w/out anything mixed in?

Garden Magic (blend of topsoil, peat, and sand)

Mixes want to use call for peat as separate ingredient.

Should I just use normal topsoil ? Want decent quality topsoil, not something that is blended though. Supposedly packaged topsoil can have soilborne
microbes and/or weed seeds. Is this true?

Soil mixes are below for reference:

Mix one:65% screened top soil, 20% compost, 10% well aged manure, and 5% peat.

Mix two:

"I would suggest a raised bed soil would be about 70-80% mineral components as the structural base - topsoil, sand, fine Turface ... and 20-30% other organic ingredients to make up the rest. It won't matter much what the organic ingredients ARE, because at that low % they won't affect the structure much as it relates to drainage. I think that finished compost or pine bark fines are an excellent addition because neither will significantly immobilize nitrogen (even if it does, that's fixable). Reed/sedge peat is another good choice."

I filled my beds with 25% screened sandy loam topsoil, 25% mushroom compost, 25% Chicken manure compost and 25% leaf compost. This came from a commercial landscaping service. As you see it is 75% organic based. I would like to see at least 50% organic components, preferably compost.

Yes bagged soil can contain weed seed, pathogens... but so can any screened topsoil.

Tracydr · March 30, 2012

Be careful buying topsoil or even a landscaping mix from local companies. I bought one last fall, a full dump load. High pH, high salts ( enough to form a crust on top) and so bad nothing would grow in it until I amended it heavily. Full of noxious weed seeds.
This was marketed as a landscape mix with 25% compost. Right!

March 28, 2012	#1
aimeruni Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Brooksville FL, zone 9a Posts: 67	what top soil to use? NOTE:Soil mix used isn't soil less mix (Miracle gro, etc.); isn't potting mix/soil either. All soil found is 40 lbs. per bag. Topsoil will be used in raised beds, isn't only thing in them; is an 'ingredient' in a soil mix. What was found yesterday, listed below: Normal Topsoil; is this just 'black dirt' w/out anything mixed in? Garden Magic (blend of topsoil, peat, and sand) Mixes want to use call for peat as separate ingredient. Should I just use normal topsoil ? Want decent quality topsoil, not something that is blended though. Supposedly packaged topsoil can have soilborne microbes and/or weed seeds. Is this true? Soil mixes are below for reference: Mix one:65% screened top soil, 20% compost, 10% well aged manure, and 5% peat. Mix two: "I would suggest a raised bed soil would be about 70-80% mineral components as the structural base - topsoil, sand, fine Turface ... and 20-30% other organic ingredients to make up the rest. It won't matter much what the organic ingredients ARE, because at that low % they won't affect the structure much as it relates to drainage. I think that finished compost or pine bark fines are an excellent addition because neither will significantly immobilize nitrogen (even if it does, that's fixable). Reed/sedge peat is another good choice." Last edited by aimeruni; March 28, 2012 at 01:56 PM.

March 30, 2012	#3
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Be careful buying topsoil or even a landscaping mix from local companies. I bought one last fall, a full dump load. High pH, high salts ( enough to form a crust on top) and so bad nothing would grow in it until I amended it heavily. Full of noxious weed seeds. This was marketed as a landscape mix with 25% compost. Right!