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Beginner question for #grownostr #homesteading #gardening. Is 1 part yard soil, 1 part peat moss, 1 part compost, and 1 part sand a good mix for growing veggies (peppers, green beans, carrots, possibly potatoes) in 5gal buckets? Do I even need the sand?

DLDUB 2y ago

Sand can be a useful component in a garden soil mix, but it is not always necessary or desirable. The addition of sand can improve drainage and aeration in heavy, clay soils, but if the soil is already well-draining, adding sand can create problems by increasing the soil's alkalinity and reducing its ability to hold moisture and nutrients.

You should be able to grab a handful, squeeze it and it should be able hold its shape. If it crumbles too easily then there is too much sand. If it does not crumble at all then sand would be a favorable addition.

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Discussion

Poly Pagan 2y ago

This is a great easy test! I will definitely be doing this. The soil I will be using is actually what I dug up when I uncovered a path that none of my roommates knew was there 😂 I idk how long it has been covered but there was roughly 1-4inches of dirt covering it depending on where you stuck the shovel in 😂

Poly Pagan 2y ago

So, the dirt I have has been sitting in buckets all winter in my covered porch and I just went out to do the hand squeeze test and the dirt just fell right apart of the most part. Very dry. I would think during summer it would hold a little better as it would be exposed to regular rain, but it is not clay AT ALL

DLDUB 2y ago

Sorry I should of mentioned you would want to moisten it a bit to do the hand squeeze test. There is also a technique where you pinch it with your thumb and index finger you could probably find online. Either way, moisten the soil and compress it and it should hold together a bit but fall apart with a little pressure.