Frequently Asked Question
What type of Soil should I get?
Last Updated 5 years ago
There are several options for buying soil in bulk (think pickup truck load or delivery fee). If you are adding raised beds, this is going to probably be the best option for filling your beds up. (a bed made from 2x10 lumber built 4' x 4' will need 1/2 a cubic yard of soil to fill)
Texas Pure http://texaspureproducts.com
Living Earth https://livingearth.net
Soil Building Systems https://soilbuildingsystems.com
Silver Creek Materials https://www.silvercreekmaterials.com
Texas Soil and Stone https://www.texassoilandstone.com
Wiz-Q http://www.whiz-q.com
Alpine Materials https://www.alpinematerials.com
City of Denton Dyno Dirt https://www.cityofdenton.com/en-us/residents/services/dyno-dirt
DFW Organic Growing https://dfworganicgrowing.com/
People that have read the popular (and excellent) book Square Foot Gardening might want to use the mix of compost, perlite, and peat moss recommended. More soil means more water storage, and peat moss is an antri-microbial, which discourages the healthy soil-web that is essential to healthy plants if you are striving to work with nature. For this reason, we recommend at least 8 inches of soil mix. Avoid the peat moss, and avoid creating a bed with a depth of less than 8 inches.
Bagged soil mix is available at garden centers and big-box stores. This may be a more convenient option if you don't need as much.
For an in-ground garden bed using native soil, you might consider mixing in expanded shale and compost as you create the bed. (The compost is the most important of the two if price limits buying both)
Step 1) Add up to 3” of expanded shale then till or mix in thoroughly
Step 2) Add up to 3" of compost then till or mix in thoroughly
One of the best practices is to never leave bare soil exposed to the sun. (exception is in spring when warming of soil is desired) Keep it mulched with at least 2 inches of organic matter (leaves, wood chips, straw, etc)
Texas Pure http://texaspureproducts.com
Living Earth https://livingearth.net
Soil Building Systems https://soilbuildingsystems.com
Silver Creek Materials https://www.silvercreekmaterials.com
Texas Soil and Stone https://www.texassoilandstone.com
Wiz-Q http://www.whiz-q.com
Alpine Materials https://www.alpinematerials.com
City of Denton Dyno Dirt https://www.cityofdenton.com/en-us/residents/services/dyno-dirt
DFW Organic Growing https://dfworganicgrowing.com/
People that have read the popular (and excellent) book Square Foot Gardening might want to use the mix of compost, perlite, and peat moss recommended. More soil means more water storage, and peat moss is an antri-microbial, which discourages the healthy soil-web that is essential to healthy plants if you are striving to work with nature. For this reason, we recommend at least 8 inches of soil mix. Avoid the peat moss, and avoid creating a bed with a depth of less than 8 inches.
Bagged soil mix is available at garden centers and big-box stores. This may be a more convenient option if you don't need as much.
For an in-ground garden bed using native soil, you might consider mixing in expanded shale and compost as you create the bed. (The compost is the most important of the two if price limits buying both)
Step 1) Add up to 3” of expanded shale then till or mix in thoroughly
Step 2) Add up to 3" of compost then till or mix in thoroughly
One of the best practices is to never leave bare soil exposed to the sun. (exception is in spring when warming of soil is desired) Keep it mulched with at least 2 inches of organic matter (leaves, wood chips, straw, etc)