-I should not have replied to this-

This post was edited by ceth_k on Sat, Feb 15, 14 at 1:41

Hello guys!

I just got some price quotes from a local bulk compost place, wanted to hear some feedback.

"Our Top Soil retails for $33.90 per cubic yard and Compost for $34.90. If you pick up there is an additional cost of $1.25 and delivery can vary both on the amount of material you purchase and your distance from our location. But $75.00 would be a good estimate. We do have a minimum of 4 yards of material for delivery.

Bagged version on these material Top Soil $2.50 (40 lb bag) and Compost for $4.00 (2 cubic foot bag). "

With that being said, how should I make my bed? Doing 4x8 at 12'' high, so 64 cubic feet or about 2 cubic yards.

I was thinking of getting 1 cubic yard, plus a few cubic feet of peat moss, and then I'm not sure, pine furs? Sand? Something to increase drainage and keep it from compacting as well as a few amendments. Hmm.

Does that price sound good?

The price for the compost is around what I would expect to pay where I live - be sure to go and look at what you are buying. I would get the compost - the dirt at your house is probably better than what they mixed with their compost to make the soil mix. If you have a place to have them dump it (and store it out of the way), it might make more sense to get 4 or 5 yards delivered - it seems like you might be doing a lot of planting eventually.

If there is not much wrong with your existing soil I would make low raised beds by working 4 or 5 inches of compost into the top 8 inches of your soil. I would line it with bricks or block, it will be 6 inches + deep (which works well for me.) With that much area and the number of things that you want to grow, I would go with a few beds instead of just one large one - you will have less of the worked area used up for space between the plants.

I like your videos, it seems like you are having a lot of fun and is a good way to log progress. In your garden clean up video the plant with the new plants from its base is called a "hen and chicks" or similar. Congratulations on the house and engagement. Best wishes for the future.

I think the price is reasonable. I'd also suggest you see what you are having delivered if you decide to go that route. Your beds really don;t need to be 1 ft deep for annuals/veggies, especially if you have a decent soil in the yard. Your 4x8 ft bed at 12" would be 32 ft3 (not 64, right?) or a little more than a yd3. 6-8 inch deep might be sufficient, so then you'd need less. May want to go with bagged if you'll have to pay alot for delivery.

Yes, a little crazy with the seeds this year. But if you enjoy watching those seedlings grow then that's great. You'll now have a better idea of when and how to start the different types, etc, etc. If you started them in mid-Jan, you may have some pretty large tomato plants before they're ready for outside in your area. That's probably an ok time to start your peppers though.

Syntria, congrats on your new home. It's great not to have anyone tell you what you can or can't do.

Raised beds are nice but not necessary. You can use compost one the top of the soil and leave space around it to walk and work. I just mound it up and leave the top flat. Some people like neat and tidy though. I don't like to leave a place for the slugs to live.

Go with as much space as you can to start. All of those little seeds make BIG plants.

Good luck and take great videos.

I just saw on another post that you are a SFG fan.I guess they tend to stay with wood or concrete beds. Please disregard my mounding idea.

I did see that you planed on putting your fruit trees south of your veggies. Is that still true? You will shade your SFG that way when your trees go to their full size. Just a reminder of that fact.

Can't tell you about the compost. I just wanted to welcome you to the wonderful and wacky world of gardening. Every year is a new learning experience.

It is like family here. Lots of good advice given here. Sometimes we don't always agree. :) Like family, I'm not around as much as I used to be, but still come here and give helpful advice or encouraging words when I can.

Happy gardening,
Becky

Hi, I'm in Arlington also. I'm working on improving my 2nd veggie garden. I love your seedling/light set up. Right now I am using a bedroom window. This bipolar weather has me starting really late as far as seeds or planting. Good luck with your ambitious garden. Soooo many plants.

Hi Syntria,
I also live in the DFW area and have a whole new garden this year. As for soil- what is this bulk compost place you speak of? I ordered 5 cubic yards of Premium Soil Mix from Silver Creek Materials in Fort Worth. The mixture is 40% sand and 60% compost. Everything planted so far is doing great. I added cotton burr compost, chicken manure, and cow manure to each of the beds with the new soil to boost nutrients/nitrogen. Anyways, that Premium Soil Mix is $25 per cubic yard, and they can have it delivered that day. If you haven't built your beds already, I encourage you to check them out.