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Cincinnati,OH

What type of growing medium should I use to fill 6 raised beds, 4' wide 8' long and 14" deep. What would be practical for growing garden vegetables? The bottom of the beds will be 2' above the ground. Thanks for any input.

5/17/2020 7:32:33 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

You will want to have something at the bottom for good drainage. If you buy commercial potting/garden soil, that could get very expensive. At just 12" deep, you will need 192 cubic feet. Walmart's cheap garden soil will cost around $724 plus tax for 192 cubic feet. And you are talking about a lot of weight, at least 12 tons. Maybe if you can get some compost cheap, add in some decent native soil, and mix in some perlite, you might be able to get a decent growing medium. You just will have trouble with weeds from the soil.

5/17/2020 8:39:49 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Thanks for the input.

5/19/2020 3:21:53 PM

Grittyville, WA

Kinda expensive... I would think sandy dirt if you need the drainage. . . or silty dirt if you dont. . . then cover with aged compost. Some gravel pits wash silt out and pile it. Might make a really great garden especially if they are crushing rock there... Buy a dumptruck load and delivery for less than 700 I should hope. And if the pile you buy from is not growing some oversized weeds, perhaps thats a reason to be wary.

5/20/2020 12:09:55 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Peat, Perlite and Compost. For Peat I would talk to your local greenhouse. My guy gets 4 x 4 x 8 bales.

5/20/2020 7:16:01 AM