Hey fellow gardeners! I've recently gotten back into gardening and started with two raised beds last summer, but I'm having a tough time finding good quality bagged soil. I tried Miracle Grow organic raised bed soil, but it turned out to be a weird black sludge that smelled awful, with brown water runoff that reminded me of sewer. I used that soil in some pots for my peppers and cucumbers, but now I'm worried about any food grown in that mix. I also tried Kellogg's organic raised bed soil, which was mostly mulch with big wood chips, but my plants aren't thriving in it. I've looked at other brands, but they all seem to have peat, which robs plants of nitrogen. I've even bought mushroom compost, but I'm confused by the amount of mulch I'm seeing there too. I remember a time when bagged soil actually contained good, clean dirt! So, what brands are you all using, and are you happy with the results?
4 Answers
After trying some of the same brands, I’m really happy with Coast of Maine soil. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality is great!
I’ve had good luck with Godvår soil; it’s peat-free and tested for pesticides or herbicides, which gives me peace of mind. It’s a solid choice!
I really like Fox Farms soil, especially their Happy Frog and Ocean Forest mixes. For my own custom blend, I use Promix BX with some earthworm castings, perlite, and a few amendments like azomite and garden lime. It’s more work, but I find it’s worth it. Just an FYI, if you use peat, it typically balances out nutrient drawdown after a while, so it’s not as big a deal unless it’s pure peat moss.
I swear by Fox Farm Ocean Forest and Roots Organic soil for my plants. People have commented that my houseplants look fake because they’re so lush! I add worm castings and compost to the mix too, along with some liquid fertilizers. My tomatoes have been enormous, and all my veggies taste amazing. I’d avoid Miracle Grow entirely, as my plants always struggled with that stuff!