Asked May 24, 2021, 12:27 AM EDT
Sorry if this is a terribly basic question, but folks the opinions on this question when I ask friends just are all over the spectrum. That's why I'm asking you!
Do I want to use different kinds of soil when planting directly into the ground, planting in wooden raised beds, and planting in large metal containers? Let me be really specific.
1a. When planting flowers, vegetables, or fruits such as a strawberries or raspberries either into the ground OR in a wooden raised bed -- say, a 4 x 8 raised bed with the thick utility cedar purchased from Jerry's here in Eugene -- is it fine to use general planting soil from Lane Forest Products or Rexius?
1b. In other words, if I'm planting direct into the soil -- with or without a wooden raised garden bed -- I can use the same kind of soil regardless?
2. Now say you're planting the same -- flowers, veggies, and small fruit -- into one of the big metal stock tanks like you find at Wilco or Home Depot (see attached photo) ... do you still use general planting soil? Or is this a case where you'd want to use potting soil because the stock tanks have metal bases? (And are essentially just big containers or pots.) In other words, the stock tanks aren't "open" to the soil below except for the holes you drill into the base so water can filter out, in which case potting soil is the preferred soil and not general planting soil?
I'd appreciate any guidance you can give me on this.
Paul Stieber
Eugene
Lane County Oregon
