Is it better to use compost or potting mix, or a combination? I don't want to burn the plants and don't have excess garden soil to use. What is recommended for a new garden bed.
junkx,
Nov 9, 11:27pm
Do you have a landscaping retailer near you? I bought bags of their garden mix and use it to fill pots etc. You can also buy by the scoop which probably works out cheaper.
harm_less,
Nov 9, 11:51pm
Find a local commercial composting facility and use their product. Best if you can buy by the cubic metre (i.e. trailer load).So long as their compost is good quality this should see your plantings hit the ground running.
Avoid topsoil merchants who sterilise their soil to kill weed seeds as this also results in soil with no microbiology which can require a lot of manure and compost input (and time) to correct.
lythande1,
Nov 10, 2:15am
Compost.
tegretol,
Nov 10, 4:13am
Posts #3 and #4 are spot on. Can't beat it.
oh_hunnihunni,
Nov 10, 8:49pm
I layered up compost and potting mix with a scattering of sheep pellets and slow release ferts in between the layers. As it settled - there's a lot of air in there - I added homemade compost as a mulch. It has been a very productive wee garden for the last four years! All year round too!
jan2242,
Nov 10, 10:20pm
Thanks. No trailer here so can't do that option. Last time I did this I only used compost - bought, and nothing survived. After the cost of the compost, seeds, seedlings, water, and the result was I still had to buy the vegetables as nothing grew,. gave up for a few years but thought I would give it another go this year.
captaingraham,
Nov 10, 10:39pm
I use potting mix and throw in about 5% compost and a hand full of sheep pellets. Every thing is thriving.
smallwoods,
Nov 10, 10:44pm
My raised beds are knee height. I put 150mm of saw dust in the bottom. Next 150mm of compost. 100mm of potting mix, and plant with seed raising mix when planting. Also layered in B&B at the start and use liquid ferts during the seasons. With liquid chook/cattle poo as well.
aprilguy,
Nov 10, 11:21pm
If nothing grew, perhaps everything died of thirst? I can't imagine how seedlings would not prosper in your climate if grown in compost with adequate water; the raised beds can dry out quicker than flat ground. Unless the compost had something bad in it.
harm_less,
Sep 12, 2:10am
Which is why I said "good quality compost". There's far too many cowboys selling badly processed and/or contaminated compost and it sounds like you've found one.
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