Growing Together: Open Forum

I teach gardening at three schools, and we're getting ready to refresh all of our raised beds with organic soil. Unfortunately, we don't have the space for a bulk delivery, so we need to purchase bagged soil instead.

Over the years, I've tried several of the major brands from big-box garden centers, but I haven't found one that I'm really happy with. I'd love to hear what brands have worked well for your school or community gardens-something that's high quality, truly organic, and won't completely break the budget. Any recommendations or favorite brands would be greatly appreciated!

Do any of you make your own living soil? If so, what "recipe" works for you and what brand of "ingredients" do you use?

------------------------------
Ziva Santop
School Garden Specialist
LVUSD
Agoura Hills, CA
------------------------------

The best potting soil I have used is Pro-mix, we purchase it from an agricultural program at a local high school. We also make our own compost and transfer the compost to offsite locations with 5 gallon buckets or other suitable containers. I will say, working in a cafe allows access to a large amount of fresh kitchen scraps so, making your own compost might not be the answer you are looking for. If you are interested in making your own compost I suggest looking into Lets Go Compost! for your program. 

------------------------------
Alexis Rieman
Wytheville VA
------------------------------

Hi! Check out coastofmaine.com. They have a soil donation program for nonprofits. They've always been generous with their donations and have supplied at least 10 bags of their raised bed soil.

------------------------------
Nadia Stewart
Rooted In Education
haymarket va
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2026 12:47:42 PM
From: Alexis Rieman
Subject: Bulk Soil

The best potting soil I have used is Pro-mix, we purchase it from an agricultural program at a local high school. We also make our own compost and transfer the compost to offsite locations with 5 gallon buckets or other suitable containers. I will say, working in a cafe allows access to a large amount of fresh kitchen scraps so, making your own compost might not be the answer you are looking for. If you are interested in making your own compost I suggest looking into Lets Go Compost! for your program. 

------------------------------
Alexis Rieman
Wytheville VA
------------------------------

When using bags to fill beds I like to use a few different quality brands as each brand seems to be different and can potentially supply different benefits. A good ratio is 70% quality topsoil mixed with 30% compost.
The best “recipe” for living soil is getting roots into the soil.
Plant diversity, living roots = healthy soil biology.