Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

This year is also my first time using this technic . I was lucky to attend one of the seminars here in Phoenix so I understand it is better to have a visual of the all process before starting your garden. Because of the really bad soil....way too hard and alkaline we decided to build 4 raised beds  2 blocks high...16" and long 15' and we purchased good compost to fill the boxes from Pioneer landscaping....we thought it was a good idea but now I m having so many problems...the soil is so soft that the water is disappearing right away and because of the manure in it we are having lots of flies. Does anyone have the same problem with purchased soil.?What can I add to the soil to help retain more water?
Peoriaazgarden

Peoriaaz & Group:

You should only have soil-mix 8" high, you should not use manure, you SHOULD use sawdust, perlite, vermiculite, coconut husks, peat moss in combo as you choose, or as available (2/3 in total by volume) and concrete sand.

If you're stuck with what you've got add perlite and vermiculite. These both retain moisture well.

Jim Kennard

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