Question on bulk soil

[Jorro]

Setting up an outdoor grow in michigan and the designated area is veryyyy sandy. Im looking to bring in about 12-15 yards of soil. A semi-local landscape company has a mixture of topsoil, peat, compost and manure. No information on percentages listed. All I know, thus far, is what the mixture contains. If I were to add plenty of perlite, could this be a viable alternative to the thousands that bagged soil would cost? I realize it's not going to be 100% ideal, which is why I got a resilient strain.

 

[garybo]

I bought a couple truckloads of topsoil a few years ago. Turned out the topsoil must have been someone's pasture and had some uninvited growth which took a long time to control.
If the landscape company has a good rep, that helps, for what your doing and spending, you may consider asking for references.
Good luck on your venture.

 

[xtsho]

Inspect the soil before purchasing it. I had a load of soil dumped off when I was setting up my raised beds for the garden. I ordered it over the phone and after they dumped it off and left I realized it was some nasty crap soil full of gravel and other crap like it was scraped up from a construction site. It's taken me years to get that soil in decent shape. Don't end up with a load of fill dirt like I did.

 

[bam0813]

Depending where you are rice hulls may be cheaper than perlite

 

[shrubz]

The mix sounds similar to one I got, general all purpose if this helps any. The ratios they pre mix have always worked great for me in the past. Being its general purpose meaning they mix it neutral for a range of things from carrots tomatoes to weed . its black very rich and smells like good soil to me. The nose always knows lol

I always tailor amendments/ add things throughout and this always works for a good base soil to get started. I simply mixed in 15 litres of worm castings for starters, mj loves that chit.

I lugged 30 bags so far, I should of ordered some by yard. Might want to check a reference or two before ordering.

I'd be pissed if it was some soil that already been used or isnt fully broken down. That's despicable way to conduct business for real .

The sand that already exists might have some essential elements like silica, something soil has small percentages in, plants run out later into grow.

I might keep some in the mix. especially if there's a source of circulating water with sea life near by, lots of nutrients is in some sands. but lacks drainage and oxygen is more limited etc, far from the best medium on its own.

 

[bgc2020]

Inspect the soil before purchasing it. I had a load of soil dumped off when I was setting up my raised beds for the garden. I ordered it over the phone and after they dumped it off and left I realized it was some nasty crap soil full of gravel and other crap like it was scraped up from a construction site. It's taken me years to get that soil in decent shape. Don't end up with a load of fill dirt like I did.

similar experience. I ordered 12yards of compost for my lawn here in Eastern Massachusetts and it contains a fair amount of broken glass and shredded plastics. I’m thinking this landscape company uses the clippings from grassy areas around businesses parking lots.

 

[shrubz]

Damn. If you find some used syringes and condoms you'd have a little collection going.

I'd sick the BBB after them. Or the neibors dog, I don't know who but somebody.

 

[eddy600]

Just go to the yard a look at it before you buy, It's $36 a yard here. It's a bit of work amending it but the results are good. We went with a couple pallets of FFOF twice the money but easier.

 

[Jorro]

Excellent information folks. Thank you. I wanted to get opinions on the mix before taking the next step, sounds like it could be a good option. Vermiculite is definitely more readily available in bulk around here as opposed to other alternatives, so I may go that route. I guess I'll make the trip to the yard and see it first hand. Appreciate the input from everyone, thats why I love riu.