Where and what kind of dirt can I buy for my vegetable garden?

Question

I wanted a vegetablel garden so I tilled the dirt in my back yard so I could plant vegetables. But I noticed that even though I had lifted a great area of the dirt up it still didn't look like it would allow the vegetables to grow down. So I went and got some of my friends old dirt she had used for her vegetable garden she had used horse manure in hers. I put boards all around the area as if it were a raised bed but the dirt barely reaches the bottom of he board. I need more dirt to fill it up all the way to the top of the board(as if it were a raised be) But I don't know where to get the dirt from. Is just any dirt good? What is compost and fertilizer, are they the same thing- could I use both? My garden needs about 4 yards of dirt. Is compost the same as dirt? I can't make anything my only option is buying what I need, I just don't know what I need. I want a dark brown dirt like the ones they sell in the Miracle Grow bags but I need larger amounts of it, where can I get it?

Answer 1

I STARTED GARDENING 55 YEARS AGO . . . and will try to relate a portion of my experience(s).

NO, JUST ANY "DIRT" IS NOT GOOD!  Please read and consider the following.

"DIRT" is just a word for the "stuff" we think of as the surface of the earth.

The "Dirt" you need is an earth, rich with organic materials.  Eg. decayed vegetable matter, animal matter, dusts and, and, and . .

Let us discuss the concepts of "Top Soil".

Any organic matter, preferably composted or decayed material(s) can be used to improve the condition of your soil, for vegetable growing.

Topsoil can be purchased by the truckload.  Filling bags is a very heavy and laborious endeavor!

Dig small holes and bury every type of organic matter you can get your hands on.

You do not have to fill the box as yet, as the growth of the plants will improve the soil conditions, and volume, in most cases and with the passing of the seasons.

Just add more, little by litte. . .

Answer 2

Depends on where you are at, your can get it from a garden supply, professional landscape supply or a bulk mulch dealer.

Look under Mulch in the yellow pages, or landscape supply.

A good compost mix will work well. If you plan to plant right away, be sure to get cured compost (not what they call green which still has fresh manure in it.)

The compost should be made up of organic matter such as composted wood, a little manure and a little sand.

You can always bring in some "Top Soil", which you can also get from a bulk mulch yard, and till in a few bags of miracle gro.

Don't put any fertilizer into the soil if you are transplating small seedlings. This may burn the root system. Just apply a garden fertilizer, granular or liquid, once3 everything is planted.

Answer 3

Contact your local cities and see if any of them have a composting facility.  this is usually the cheapest place to get a large amount.  They usually have a supply of good black dirt, too.  your best bet is to use both top soil and compost.  till them together and you will have a great start to a garden.