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Soil & Beds

All-Purpose Garden Soil Mix

Healthy garden soil should hold enough moisture for plant roots while still allowing excess water to drain away.

Steps

  1. For a raised garden bed, mix approximately 40% quality topsoil, 40% finished compost, and 20% aeration material such as perlite, pumice, or fine pine bark.
  2. For an in-ground garden, start by loosening the existing soil.
  3. Spread 2–3 inches of finished compost over the area.
  4. Mix the compost into the top 6–8 inches of soil.
  5. Remove large rocks, roots, and hard clumps as you go.

Helpful tip

Carrots and other root vegetables grow best when the top 8–12 inches of soil are loose and free of rocks. Adding compost and some perlite can improve heavy or compacted soil.

Important to know

Avoid adding a small amount of sand to heavy clay soil. In some cases, this can create a harder, concrete-like texture.

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