Dirt and mulch?

Question

What are the best types of dirt and mulch to use for a veggie garden? Any specific brands or ingredients that I should look for?

Answer 1

If you are growing a veggie garden in the ground, and you want to enrich your soil, get Miracle Grow garden soil or compost and mix it in with your soil. If you are growing in pots, I use Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting soil. Plants in pots usually require more watering, especially on hot days.

For mulch, you can use wood mulch, which can look nice in pots and may help keep some moisture in the pot. You can use wood mulch for your veggie garden as well, but since it is temorary until the next year, it is not very practical, so I use grass clippings, which is a cheap way to mulch around your plants and price effective as well.

Answer 2

The dirt is called soil if you are trying to grow something in it. Dirt is what collects on your car and windowsill.

You can't radically change the soil, but you can ammend with compost and manures. I'd stick with compost as manures, especially if they are somewhat fresh, may have insects in it.

Spread about 2 inches compost over the soil and dig it in.

After you've planted and plants are growing, you'll probably need supplemental fertilizer. There are plenty of vegetable fertilizers on the market. Just follow instructions.

As for mulch in vegetable gardens, since the soil is turned under at the end of the season, you want a mulch that can turn under as well. Dried grass clippings is OK.......they must be dry first and I wouldn't use bermudagrass, St. Augstine grass or any grass with runners.

You can also put newspaper under the grass for added benefit. It can be turned into the soil if any is left.

Straw is fine, but it might be a good idea to "cook" a straw bale first. Wet it down real well and then cover with clear plastic. That way any weed seeds inside will get cooked. Leave for a week or so. Obviously it will have to be in the sun.

I'd avoid wood chips as they won't break down by summer's end.

Good luck with your garden.

Answer 3

Try buying some compost you can mix that with any soil.
As to mulch buy red mulch it seems to make them shoot out
right away. I tried both methods together for the first time this year and the plant are loving it, especially the compost!!!