Raised Beds – Best Soil To Use

Q: I have built twelve raised beds out of concrete blocks. What is the best soil to use to raise flowers and vegetables?

A: You have several choices. One option is to use the existing soil (plus some from nearby) and mix in organic matter and coarse sand. The drawback is that you may not have a good feel for how much amendment to add. Another option is to buy pre-mixed bulk topsoil from a reputable vendor. A third option is to fill your beds with bagged soil. There are huge differences between these choices so I’ve consolidated the information at http://www.walterreeves.com/uncategorized/raised-bed-how-to-fill/