I am working on a new deck. You can see the plans he
http://donwiss.com/manuals/house/upper-deck-garden/

My first step is to buy soil. These being large planters I figured I would
buy garden soil. But the bags clearly state for in-ground use. That leaves
potting soil!?

I'm hoping to plant native perennials. Would they like potting soil?

Don http://foraging.com/ e-mail at page bottom.

On 6/12/2018 6:43 PM, Don Wiss wrote:
I am working on a new deck. You can see the plans he
http://donwiss.com/manuals/house/upper-deck-garden/

My first step is to buy soil. These being large planters I figured I would
buy garden soil. But the bags clearly state for in-ground use. That leaves
potting soil!?

I'm hoping to plant native perennials. Would they like potting soil?

Don http://foraging.com/ e-mail at page bottom.


See "My Potting Mix" at
http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_potting_mix.html. You will find
that it takes a large amount of sand and peat moss and much effort.
However, the results are usually excellent; and it does not cost much.

Note that you might have to adjust the proportions, depending on what
kinds of plants you are planting. For example, if you are in southern
California (as I am) and use native plants from this area, you will need
to increase the amount of sand relative to peat moss because our natives
require perfect drainage. You will also have to reduce the sulfates
since our natives are accustomed to alkaline soils. Etc, etc.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

On Tue, 12 Jun 2018, "David E. Ross" wrote:

See "My Potting Mix" at
http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_potting_mix.html. You will find
that it takes a large amount of sand and peat moss and much effort.
However, the results are usually excellent; and it does not cost much.

I'm in Brooklyn. While the Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) would like a
sandy soil, I think most here would not.

I need 22 cubic feet of soil. Mixing it on the deck just isn't feasible.
There is no yard. There are no wheelbarrows.

After I posted I found this Raised Bed Soil:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/206667302

I can have 15 bags delivered.

Don. www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 21:43:24 -0400, Don Wiss
wrote:

I am working on a new deck. You can see the plans he
http://donwiss.com/manuals/house/upper-deck-garden/

My first step is to buy soil. These being large planters I figured I would
buy garden soil. But the bags clearly state for in-ground use. That leaves
potting soil!?

I'm hoping to plant native perennials. Would they like potting soil?


Assuming you'll be placing clay planters in those wooden boxes potting
soil should be quite adaquate. I would definately not be placing any
kind of planting medium directly into those wooden boxes
or they'd rot within the year.

On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:06:35 -0400, wrote:

Assuming you'll be placing clay planters in those wooden boxes potting
soil should be quite adaquate. I would definately not be placing any
kind of planting medium directly into those wooden boxes
or they'd rot within the year.

I certainly do plan to put soil directly in those planters. They are teak,
and I expect them to last more than a year.

Don. www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:50:27 -0400, Don Wiss
wrote:

On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:06:35 -0400, wrote:

Assuming you'll be placing clay planters in those wooden boxes potting
soil should be quite adaquate. I would definately not be placing any
kind of planting medium directly into those wooden boxes
or they'd rot within the year.

I certainly do plan to put soil directly in those planters. They are teak,
and I expect them to last more than a year.

Don. www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).


I used cedar lumber for on-ground raised beds and for compost
boxes and learned that it starts to rot away after a few years when
in contact with the ground - I thought it would last longer.
The upper parts that had some amount of air-drying,
were still solid after 10 + years ..
... not sure if teak is similar ?

On 6/12/2018 11:06 PM, Sheldon Katz wrote:
On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 21:43:24 -0400, Don Wiss
wrote:

I am working on a new deck. You can see the plans he
http://donwiss.com/manuals/house/upper-deck-garden/

My first step is to buy soil. These being large planters I figured I would
buy garden soil. But the bags clearly state for in-ground use. That leaves
potting soil!?

I'm hoping to plant native perennials. Would they like potting soil?


Assuming you'll be placing clay planters in those wooden boxes potting
soil should be quite adaquate. I would definately not be placing any
kind of planting medium directly into those wooden boxes
or they'd rot within the year.

What sort of planters do they have at your HUD apartment, Sheldumb?

Don Wiss wrote:
On Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:06:35 -0400, wrote:

Assuming you'll be placing clay planters in those wooden boxes potting
soil should be quite adaquate. I would definately not be placing any
kind of planting medium directly into those wooden boxes
or they'd rot within the year.

I certainly do plan to put soil directly in those planters. They are teak,
and I expect them to last more than a year.

even if you line them with thick mil plastic that will
greatly extend their life.


songbird

On Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:13:39 -0400, wrote:

I used cedar lumber for on-ground raised beds and for compost
boxes and learned that it starts to rot away after a few years when
in contact with the ground - I thought it would last longer.
The upper parts that had some amount of air-drying,
were still solid after 10 + years ..
.. not sure if teak is similar ?

All tropical hardwoods are better than non-tropical hardwoods. How the
tropical ones compare to each other I have no idea. Teak is popular on
boats.

You are correct about being on the ground is bad. I hope on the deck gets
some circulation underneath.

Don. www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).