Advice: SoCal topsoil & materials for raised beds?

Suze · January 5, 2008

I'd just like to offer some general suggestions as to soil/compost selection, even though I realize Thawley bumped this up for location specific suggestions.

Before I set up and pay for soil or compost delivery from anyone, I always go visit their place first (learned this the hard way from previous experience). I take with me a half gallon pot and a watering can. When I get there, I ask to look at a pile/bin of what I want. Then I feel and sniff the product. If it smells bad, forget it. Now, I don't mean bad as in earthy, or bad as in pungent in the case of manure or lightly aged compost-- I mean something that smells off, rotten, funky, and gamey. Also, if they have any sort of problem with me asking questions and looking around a bit, that tends to raise a red flag.

I've found that folks that are passionate and confident about their product not only won't have a problem with you snooping around a bit, they will understand your concerns and even encourage it. If they complain re your attempts at exploration, walk away. Now, if they are a bit busy, that's fine -- but the important thing is that they will let you look around on your own even if they don't have time to babysit you.

So, if I get past those initial stages, I take that half gallon pot and fill it up with the soil or compost mix I was considering purchasing. Then I use the watering can to water that pot (important, imo).

After a couple of minutes, feel the soil in the pot and observe how it drained. Light, fluffy, and free-draining is the goal. If it seems concrete-like, say 'no thanks' or ask to look at another soil mix and be sure to re-do the same test on it.

Or go elsewhere.

I'll also say that "topsoil" is basically a meaningless identifier, no regs in place for that term. Much of the bagged cheapie stuff one could pick up at a box store labeled as "topsoil" is pretty substandard. So is the topsoil from many bulk sources, so pick and check out your source carefully.

January 5, 2008	#16
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	I'd just like to offer some general suggestions as to soil/compost selection, even though I realize Thawley bumped this up for location specific suggestions. Before I set up and pay for soil or compost delivery from anyone, I always go visit their place first (learned this the hard way from previous experience). I take with me a half gallon pot and a watering can. When I get there, I ask to look at a pile/bin of what I want. Then I feel and sniff the product. If it smells bad, forget it. Now, I don't mean bad as in earthy, or bad as in pungent in the case of manure or lightly aged compost-- I mean something that smells off, rotten, funky, and gamey. Also, if they have any sort of problem with me asking questions and looking around a bit, that tends to raise a red flag. I've found that folks that are passionate and confident about their product not only won't have a problem with you snooping around a bit, they will understand your concerns and even encourage it. If they complain re your attempts at exploration, walk away. Now, if they are a bit busy, that's fine -- but the important thing is that they will let you look around on your own even if they don't have time to babysit you. So, if I get past those initial stages, I take that half gallon pot and fill it up with the soil or compost mix I was considering purchasing. Then I use the watering can to water that pot (important, imo). After a couple of minutes, feel the soil in the pot and observe how it drained. Light, fluffy, and free-draining is the goal. If it seems concrete-like, say 'no thanks' or ask to look at another soil mix and be sure to re-do the same test on it. Or go elsewhere. I'll also say that "topsoil" is basically a meaningless identifier, no regs in place for that term. Much of the bagged cheapie stuff one could pick up at a box store labeled as "topsoil" is pretty substandard. So is the topsoil from many bulk sources, so pick and check out your source carefully.