I recently had someone build a couple of raised garden beds, but they ended up using just basic top soil instead of the bagged raised garden bed mix I expected. I'm planning to mix in compost from my town's compost giveaway. Is this a safe and healthy method for growing vegetables? I've noticed that bags of top soil usually don't have pictures of vegetables on them and seem more suited for landscaping than gardening. Additionally, the beds have a metal 'garden cloth' for fencing and trellising, but it has a CA Prop 65 warning. Should I be worried about the safety or toxicity of that? I want to make sure my veggies are safe to eat, especially with a family history of cancer. Thanks for any advice!
1 Answer
It's more about having the right nutrients and a healthy environment for your plants rather than just safety. Mixing in compost is a great idea, as it will enhance the soil's nutrient content and improve its structure. You might also consider adding some organic fertilizer for an extra boost while the soil adjusts. As for the top soil, it's not necessarily toxic, so you shouldn't need to replace it entirely unless it shows signs of contamination.
Thanks for clarifying! So I can work with what I have and just enhance it with compost and fertilizer?