Raised bed garden soil - Ask Extension
I've been told that I should purchase raised bed garden soil ( vs. regular garden soil or potting soil) for my raised bed gardens. Is this true?
I...
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Raised bed garden soil #743708
Asked April 11, 2021, 2:36 PM EDT
I've been told that I should purchase raised bed garden soil ( vs. regular garden soil or potting soil) for my raised bed gardens. Is this true?
If yes, should all of the dirt in my raised beds be raised be soil, or can I mix raised bed soil with other soil like potting or regular garden soil (Raised bed soil is more expensive.)
And, after growing season in my raised be gardens, can I keep the same soil for next season and simply add fresh soil or do I need to empty out the entire raised bed containers each season?
Isanti County Minnesota
Expert Response
To make a raised bed soil combine four to six inches of finished compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure to the existing soil. Thoroughly till it into the underlying soil. Tillage will not be a normal practice in the raised bed. You prepare the soil this year and then never step on it. Next year you just add a little compost. You do not need to till it again. To prevent soil compaction, foot traffic and garden equipment such as wheelbarrows should not be permitted to go through the raised beds. You do not need to buy special soil.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/raised-bed-gardens
