I just set up a small raised bed on my patio and used some garden soil I picked up. However, it feels really dense and has a strong smell, kind of like tires and manure. I'm planning to grow zucchini, peppers, and some herbs, so I thought using 'garden' soil would work. Should I swap it out for potting soil instead, or can I just mix in something lighter like perlite to improve it?
2 Answers
For anything you're growing in a container, especially on a patio, potting soil is the way to go. Garden soil is typically heavier and meant to mix with native soil. Plus, that smell you're noticing? That's a red flag that the soil isn't great. You really want something lighter for raised beds.
I had a similar experience with my raised bed. I ended up just replacing the garden soil with potting soil. You can keep the garden mix, but there's a good chance it'll compact over time, which isn't ideal for your plants.
Got any recommendations for a better soil brand? Also, what issues do you think might cause that smell?