What kind of soil should i use to fill my new raised garden planter?
Question by zenmud: What kind of soil should i use to fill my new raised garden planter?
i just got a raised planter….3×5 and 22in tall. I plan on growing herbs in it (maybe a vegetable, too). What kind of soil/mix of soil should i use to fill it.
a cheaper version seems to be 3 cubic foot bags of garden soil by Kellogg…any opinions?
should I mix in compost..how much?
should i add any sand?
worms?
anything else?
I am new to this and want to do it right.
Thanks for your help.
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3 Responses to What kind of soil should i use to fill my new raised garden planter?
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Compost and worms
From an organic gardener.
aj
November 22, 2011 at 9:05 am
For herbs, you’ll want something fast-draining, but with some water-holding capacity. You may want to add some coarse material like perlite or small lava rock, and some compost. You’ll need about 30 cubic feet, or 10 3 cubic foot bags, to fill planter. I’d add 1 bag of coarse material, 2 bags of decent compost, a 1 cubic foot bag of composted chickent manure, and 6 bags of the cheaper potting soil. That should give you a great basil crop, even if you throw in a tomato plant or two.
FarmCzar
November 22, 2011 at 9:46 am
It really depends on what herbs you want to grow. Some prefer poor free draining soil but others grow better in moisture retentive, richer soil.
. Add grit, gravel for the Mediteranean herbs (lavender, rosemary, oregano etc.) as well as annuals like dill as they will not tolerate sitting in wet soil and leave an area that is more moisture retentive for herbs like chives, coriander (cilantro), mint, angelica. It is also worth making sure the depth of the container is enough for root vegetables suvch as carrots /parsnips
Nick Cross
November 22, 2011 at 9:51 am