Soil Amendments 101
Utilize these tips when selecting soil to get the best results in your yard.
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• Composted manure and mushroom compost make great amendments for enriching your garden soil.
• Do a sniff test. Let your nose tell you if the contents smell like soil — fresh and free of garden chemicals or contaminants.
• Read the fine print. If the bag of soil says “use for filling holes,” do not buy for planting beds. Such soil usually doesn't support plant life.
• Don't amend the soil in your planting holes for trees unless your soil is extremely dense and compacted.
• When planting roses, plan on mixing the existing soil half and half with composted manure and mushroom compost.
• For raised beds, mix potting soil with a variety of organic materials, including compost, leaves and straw.
• One cubic foot of potting mix equals roughly 30 quarts, and it will fill 18 six-inch pots, three 10-inch pots and one 14-inch pot.
• Compost — made at home — is the best soil amendment you can apply.
