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Garden Gate:  Garden Soil  |
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applesaucemom
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Rebekah
37 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 2:43:29 PM
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Hi ladies, I have recently moved to the city and I still want to grow a great garden. I am going to put my garden into some raised beds in my backyard. What kind of soil do I use? I live in South Jersey and every, I mean EVERY place has Miracle Gro garden soil and top soil. I have two little children under the age of 3. From my understanding Miracle Gro has chemicals, synthetic man made "junk" in all it's dirt.There are even warning signs on the back of the bags to "keep away from children" When I was in Texas, I used some soil that was OMRI certified organic, no problem. But here, there seems to be nothing. I have looked at the local nurseries and garden centers (they all look at me like I'm green when I ask if they have organic- kid friendly garden soil) and I have looked at Home Depot, etc. It seems Miracle Gro/Scotts is the only brand they really carry. Do you have any ideas as to what I should do? Or is there anyone who does organic gardening in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area that can point me in the right direction for an Organic supplier. I have to say that this is truly a shame.....
my blog: www.applesaucemom.blogspot.com |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 2:51:05 PM
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Hi Rebekah! First - Welcome! Where in South Jersey are you? I live in Central Jersey right by the shore. I use some fill dirt and then I also use a formula called "Mel's Mix" from the book "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew. Mel's mix is 1/3 blended compost, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 coarse vermiculite. The parts ae measured by volume, not weight. It seems to be working really well. I can't wait for those Jersey tomatoes this summer!
~ Elaine
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
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applesaucemom
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Rebekah
37 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 6:21:22 PM
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Hi Elaine!
Thank you for the info! I am in Cherry Hill, NJ. I probably sound so naive but I have never really had to think about "buying" dirt before. Anyway, so what exactly do I do? I go to the local nursery and buy 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 compost and voila! I will have my organic garden soil? Is it that easy really? Will it be kid friendly? I will be so happy if it is. So the garden centers sale these each individual components like that right? And when you said you use "fill dirt" is that the same as topsoil from the garden center? I love Ocean City, I've only been to the boardwalk but it seems like a really fantastic place.
my blog: www.applesaucemom.blogspot.com |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2011 : 6:17:26 PM
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| If you live near a Walmart just buy the cheapest bag of dirt they have, I think you can buy a 20 lb bag for about 2.00, they may have the compost, and vemiculit also. The vemiculite is very light weight and powdery so blend this in a bit at a time, and if you have any respitory issues wear a light weight mask, but once your get the other two ingredients blended in, you should be okay with not wearing the mask. It's kinda like grown up mud pies, but dont add the water until your ready to plant! |
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Garden Gate: Garden Soil |
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Garden Soil
