Amending Backyard Soil

I recently went out in the woods near a dark mulchy area of ground and dug up a few 5 gallon buckets with the soil. Afterwards I used an old window screen I'd had lying around and sifted the soil to remove all the debri from the soil. I then mixed this soil with 20% perlite to begin some beauties.
I was wondering if this was a good way to go and what other medium ammendments i could add that are homemade.

Not really.

You have no idea what that soil is made of. You have no idea of the pH. You don't know what critters live in there. Lotsa factors come into play.

Not saying it won't work...but for what you are growing, isn't it worth at least SOME sort of investment to give you the best shot at success you can get?

good luck

bt dt

To kill the bad stuff in it you bak it for a long time and that stinks for a long time. Everything I have ever read on the subject says it's not a good idea to use outside soil to grow inside. You bringing stuff into your house only God knows about. Bugs scents and odors that attract other bugs scents and odors.

The more you bake it, the more of all those (micro)good things in the soil that you want......you loose.
Peace