[Arid_gardener] correct soil mix for raised beds

[Olin Miller]

I would suggest working with what you have.  Since the mid 1960s I have
started gardens in native desert soil at several different locations and
have never had a need to import soil or pay for a soil test or come up with
a special mix.  My suggestions:

Loosen the soil down to a depth of 8-12 inches.  It usually digs fairly
easily if watered a few days before digging.  It may be necessary repeat
this to get to the right depth.

Sprinkle with soil sulfur and gypsum following the recommendations on the
bags.  The gypsum will help correct sodic soil but not all of our desert
soils are highly sodic.  But adding gypsum also helps fluff up soil so it is
a pretty good, inexpensive additive..

Add 4 inch layer of well composted organic compost.

Work all of this into the loosened soil.

Water the area to activate the ingredients, wait a few weeks, then spade it
again.  Then add a fertlizer like ammonium phosphate ar a more expensive
complete fertilizer.  Level with a  rake, and plant.

You will need to repeat this every other season because the compost seems to
dissolve in our alkaline soil and with our alkaline irrigation water.  This
true even if you import a soil mix.

i might also add that raised beds are not essential.  My beds have raised
sides only to contain the soil because of adding amendments and keeping the
soil loose.  Every few years I have to remove some soil.  In the spring and
summer, raised beds will dry out faster and need more water than
ground-level beds.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ
==========================================================

----- Original Message ----- From: "Clair Spackman" <cjspackman at ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:25 PM
I am having some raised beds put in and wish to grow a combination of
flowering plants and veggies.  What would be the best soil mix for this and
can I buy it pre-mixed somewhere or should I buy the basic components and
mix myself?  I know certain plants like certain soils but I just need a good
all around soil mix.

Is there any benefit in putting the current soil in the beds as part of the
mix or would this defeat the benefits of having the raised beds and getting
away from the high salt content native soil?

Thanks
Clair
Clair Thunes (nee Spackman), PhD.
Project Manager and Analyst.
Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS)
Dept. Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology
UC Davis.
279 Cousteau Place, Davis, CA 95616.

Direct line: (602)635-6209
Lab: (530)297-4621
email: cjspackman at ucdavis.edu



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