Vent: That fancy raised bed soil mix isn't worth the hype

I see everyone online raving about those premade raised bed soil blends from the big box stores. I dropped $80 on three bags of that stuff for my 4x8 bed in my backyard here in Phoenix. After one season, my tomatoes were stunted and the soil had turned into hard, cracked clay. I had to dig it all out and start over. Meanwhile, my neighbor’s bed with just plain topsoil mixed with his own compost grew peppers like crazy. I think those expensive mixes are overpriced and not suited for dry climates. Anyone else have a bad experience with a popular soil brand?

2 comments

2 Comments

jordan_webb495d ago

I used to be one of those people who bought into the hype. I figured spending more meant better results, especially after watching all those YouTube garden tours. But after two seasons of watching my expensive soil turn into brick and my plants struggle, I finally switched to a simple mix of local topsoil and homemade compost. The difference was night and day. Now I tell people to save their money and just amend their native soil with organic matter, it works way better for our desert climate.

avery_foster313d ago

You mean all those YouTube gardeners are just selling us expensive dirt? I was totally one of those people who thought premium soil meant premium plants, but after wasting money on a bag that turned to concrete by July, I'm with you now.