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pbl_ge

New bed--is the soil sterile?

pbl_ge
12 years ago

Hi All,

We are installing a new raised bed which we will use for our vegetable garden, and we got 4.5 cubic feet of top soil delivered by a reputable landscape company. Soil seems to be a bit more clay than I'd prefer, but probably still pretty good. We also bought several bags of mushroom compost and mixed it in. At the bottom of the bed is a layer of uncomposted organic material (leaves, dead weeds, trimming) and cardboard. We put those layers directly on the soil there, without removing the weeds or the weed seeds. (Sort of a variant of lasagna gardening.)

Here's my question: there is likely not a single living thing in the new soil. Should we be adding something else? Buy some worms? Add a LOT of compost? None of our homegrown compost is ready yet, which was Plan A.

I appreciate in advance any help. I've only amended beds, never started anew like this.

Thanks!

Comments (13)

  • jrmckins
    12 years ago

    I don't think it's ever a bad idea to add worms.

  • Kimmsr
    12 years ago

    It can take some time for evidence of soil life to appear in a raised bed, especially when soil is imported from outside. When purchasing soil from someone I think the buyer needs to ask for a 1 cup sample of that soil and test it with this simple test, before paying for the soil.
    1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.
    That will help you know what you are buying better then what the salesperson tells you. The term "Caveat Emptor" (Let the Buyer Beware) applies here especially.

  • lazy_gardens
    12 years ago

    That soil is NOT sterile. It just doesn't have any critters you can see.

    Start planting stuff and they will come.

  • Laurel Zito
    12 years ago

    You don't need to buy anything. Worms will come after you start your composting program. I used bagged browns sheared wood and Starbucks coffee to speed up my compost. I can harvest it every two weeks. If you want to buy some bagged soil conditioners you can add that straight to the soil. I mean like those large bags of things like Kellogg's Amend. Read the labels before buying. You want mostly organic matter in those bags. You can dig those in right now to jump start the prep of your bed. All of those fancy soil things and compost starters are a waste of money. Yes, they won't hurt your garden probably, but they are not needed. There is no magic thing you can buy like humus that takes the place of organic matter dug into your soil. It is hard work, so people like to feel that they are making progress when they buy these things. It's like anti aging creams. They make women feel good so they buy them, but the don't stop or remove facial aging. But, there are people on this forum trying to sell these things and posting ads for websites.

  • Kimmsr
    12 years ago

    Planting "stuff" is not what will attract life to your soil, it is how much organic matter is in that soil when you plant that will atract them.

  • novascapes
    12 years ago

    There is more soil life around live plant roots than where there are no live roots. Live plant roots are part of the soil life system.

  • toxcrusadr
    12 years ago

    The mushroom compost you added is full of microbes. Actually soil has a frightening number of them, even apparently dead soil.

    Worms will come if the conditions are right - moisture and organic matter for them to eat. If conditions are not right, any worms you put there will leave and go somewhere else.

    If it seems like you need more compost, add a few more bags. It really can't hurt anything. I like to use different kinds for variety but it's not critical.

    Use some organic mulch after you plant, (untreated) grass clippings, wood chips, etc. to feed the soil slowly and draw the worms.

  • toxcrusadr
    12 years ago

    Hmm, I wonder if compost can be used as a facial anti-aging treatment. I might try it out on my dear wife if I can catch her in the right mood. Such as 'asleep.' Bwahahahaha!

  • piedmontnc
    12 years ago

    What kimmsr calls structure above is known correctly in soil science as texture

  • RpR_
    12 years ago

    The texture is of the soil in the garden; structure is what the results of the test are.
    If the structure is incomplete the soil is lacking a building block that helps explain why the texture of the garden is as it is.

  • piedmontnc
    12 years ago

    Well no

  • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    12 years ago

    For those who may be confused.....a link to a previous GW thread discussing soil structure and texture. Seems like this is a topic with specific definitions which require revisiting with routine regularity :-)

    Here is a link that might be useful: structure versus texture

  • pbl_ge
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks so much for all the help!