Living soil in raised bed.

TerpHaven · Mar 29, 2026

So I have made my choice on my outdoor grow. I'm going to build a couple of raised beds with chicken wire at the bottom to trap crawlers into just the bed. So I plan to get a soil mix of (70% - top soil from a local farm that is mixed with compost, 20% peat moss, 10% perlite). I plan to have 5 4x8 beds at 18 inches high with 4 plants per box. I don't plan to use drip irrigation of any sort, as my water source is from a creek on the property that I fill big rain barrels in case of drought. But I really need input on how I should build my soil to help the plants thrive. I would like to use a dry amendment such as Down to Earth or something worth the money. I have done the math i will need 1.8 cubic yards of soil per box, so it comes out to a total of 9 cubic yards total over all boxes.

Week4Bytch · Mar 29, 2026

TerpHaven said:
So I have made my choice on my outdoor grow. I'm going to build a couple of raised beds with chicken wire at the bottom to trap crawlers into just the bed. So I plan to get a soil mix of (70% - top soil from a local farm that is mixed with compost, 20% peat moss, 10% perlite). I plan to have 5 4x8 beds at 18 inches high with 4 plants per box. I don't plan to use drip irrigation of any sort, as my water source is from a creek on the property that I fill big rain barrels in case of drought. But I really need input on how I should build my soil to help the plants thrive. I would like to use a dry amendment such as Down to Earth or something worth the money. I have done the math i will need 1.8 cubic yards of soil per box, so it comes out to a total of 9 cubic yards total over all boxes.

I would shoot for at least 30% perlite. These plants don't like to sit in waterlogged soil to much. And two plants per bed would more idea. These get HUGE outdoors. Look into COMPANION PLANTING for soil improvement and pest deterrents. That top soil with compost, I'd find out what percentage of it is compost. Does it have some some sand?

TerpHaven · Mar 29, 2026

Week4Bytch said:
I would shoot for at least 30% perlite. These plants don't like to sit in waterlogged soil to much. And two plants per bed would more idea. These get HUGE outdoors. Look into COMPANION PLANTING for soil improvement and pest deterrents. That top soil with compost, I'd find out what percentage of it is compost. Does it have some some sand?

Okay, so if you recommend 30% perlit,e how would you recommend I change it around? Do a 70% soil, 30% perlite mix? But I have looked into companion planting for sure, and it's something I will do, especially if you think I should do 2 per bed. But I will ask the guy I am getting the soil from for the % of all of it.

Week4Bytch · Mar 29, 2026

TerpHaven said:
Okay, so if you recommend 30% perlit,e how would you recommend I change it around? Do a 70% soil, 30% perlite mix? But I have looked into companion planting for sure, and it's something I will do, especially if you think I should do 2 per bed. But I will ask the guy I am getting the soil from for the % of all of it.

yup.. 70/30 mix.

30-30-30 soil mix recipe, often known as a simple, balanced container mix (typically 30% compost, 30% coco coir/peat moss, 30% perlite/vermiculite), is a variation of "Mel's Mix," popularised by Mel Bartholomew for square foot gardening. - Google

In the cannabis world a man known as "COOTS" made this soil mix popular, we call it Coots Mix.

Week4Bytch · Mar 29, 2026

With those raised beds.. if you want to save money, grow like this dude ------> https://www.youtube.com/@gardenlikeaviking

cpurola · Mar 29, 2026

TerpHaven said:
So I have made my choice on my outdoor grow. I'm going to build a couple of raised beds with chicken wire at the bottom to trap crawlers into just the bed. So I plan to get a soil mix of (70% - top soil from a local farm that is mixed with compost, 20% peat moss, 10% perlite). I plan to have 5 4x8 beds at 18 inches high with 4 plants per box. I don't plan to use drip irrigation of any sort, as my water source is from a creek on the property that I fill big rain barrels in case of drought. But I really need input on how I should build my soil to help the plants thrive. I would like to use a dry amendment such as Down to Earth or something worth the money. I have done the math i will need 1.8 cubic yards of soil per box, so it comes out to a total of 9 cubic yards total over all boxes.

Sounds like a great plan. I did something similar but because we can grow 12 plants in Michigan, I mapped out 12, 3 x 3 planters and hubby did the rest. I was away at the time and he bought local compost that turned out to be full of the disease Verticillium and killed everything I planted. Last year I grew in 20 gallon pots on top of the compost, to be able to use the supports and had no problem.

Make sure you know what's in that 'soil' before you have it delivered.

TerpHaven · Mar 30, 2026

cpurola said:
Sounds like a great plan. I did something similar but because we can grow 12 plants in Michigan, I mapped out 12, 3 x 3 planters and hubby did the rest. I was away at the time and he bought local compost that turned out to be full of the disease Verticillium and killed everything I planted. Last year I grew in 20 gallon pots on top of the compost, to be able to use the supports and had no problem.

Make sure you know what's in that 'soil' before you have it delivered.

Got any tips on what to amend into your soil I normally feed with synthetic in a autopot system in a indoor grow.

7munkee · Mar 31, 2026

Week4Bytch said:
With those raised beds.. if you want to save money, grow like this dude ------> https://www.youtube.com/@gardenlikeaviking

He just had an episode on Garden Talk with My Grow It. He uses ash as a main input but there is a caveat he doesn't mention. While it does contain calcium, potassium, and trace minerals, it will raise your pH quite a bit so if your garden pH is above 6.4 or so it can do more harm than good. The absolute hands down best way to use ash is in your compost pile or worm bin. But only a little. It helps keep skunks away.

I usually toss a shovelful on my cold compost pile once each year. I pile all my leaves, straw, cardboard, sticks, guinie pig bedding, and veggie scraps in a pile and it can become quite acidic. The ash tones it down .

Living soil in raised bed.

Living soil in raised bed.

TerpHaven

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

TerpHaven

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

cpurola

TerpHaven

7munkee

Living soil in raised bed.

Living soil in raised bed.

TerpHaven

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

TerpHaven

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

Week4Bytch

Loyal To The Soil

cpurola

TerpHaven

7munkee

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