Reply To: Backyard Gardening and Cultivation
Hi Leigh Anne,
This is a big question. If you are thinking of just growing from containers like pots and trays, then really a soil mix that you can buy at any garden centre will do. Look for organic soil and specifics for what you are planting whether it be veggies or herbs or flowers.
If you are considering building up soil in raised beds type thing, my favourite way to do this using the ‘lasagne gardening’ technique. This uses organic materials around your yard and in your compost to build up soil. The only trouble is the best time to start a bed like this is in the fall so that the layers have time to compost a bit. You can start it with already made top soil an just add to it each fall to keep it going.
One thing I would definitely suggest, if you have the space, is a compost box or container. If you don’t have a bunch of space in your yard you can do vermiculture in a Tupperware container in your house! This is great for potted plants etc.
Here are a few links to get you started/thinking about how you want to do your growing:
Container Gardening Basics: https://www.almanac.com/content/container-gardening-vegetables
Links out to resources on raised beds: https://arlingtonurbanag.org/filling-a-raised-bed-garden/
Lasagne Gardens: https://www.ecohome.net/guides/3557/lasagna-gardening-easy-way-for-growing-food-vegetables-at-home-step-by-step-guide/
Vermiculture: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/worm-composting
Enjoy!
Benna