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Federal Way, WA

Hi everyone. Last season, I got a great email from a grower suggesting I look into a local city's Tagro soil (recycled waste byproducts in Tacoma, WA). My planting location only has a very shallow, six inches of soil before hitting large, impenetrable rocks. My goal is to buy several (many) yards and build it up about a foot throughout the planting area. My assumption is this would be too nutrient rich for my pumpkins by itself...if my assumption is accurate, what would you dilute it with, knowing little no no natural soil is available? Thanks! Tagro website: http://bit.ly/1eZHKuk

2/20/2014 6:09:42 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Peat Moss

2/20/2014 7:36:54 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Yup, peat moss and Tagro mixed...

2/20/2014 8:22:06 PM

Federal Way, WA

Thanks! Any idea as to the ratio? Should it be 1:1 Tagro and Peat or something else?

2/20/2014 9:16:28 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I would steer towards a 3 to 1...as that is what a lot of potting soils are

2/20/2014 9:33:38 PM

Seattle, WA

I'm local to you and I use the Oly Mountain Fish Compost. In my opinion it's a much better product. www.olyfish.com I sheet mulched my lawn last year and grew veggies in it. I don't think you'd get a good giant in just the Oly based on my veggie growth, but when mixed with my native soil my growth rate doubled that of the straight compost.

The recycled waste byproduct composts are cheap but their main goal is to recycle waste rather than produce a high quality gardening product. I've found plastic, garbage, and even syringes in Cedar Grove Compost.

Even just mixing some decent topsoil and the Oly would be a better start in my opinion. Peat is great but expensive. You can get the best deal at Carpinitos which isn't too far from Federal Way.

There's also "Zoo Doo" from the Woodland Park zoo.

2/21/2014 12:43:59 PM

Federal Way, WA

Thanks for the info Tad12 and everyone else. Slowly closing in on what I'll do. What do you guys think about Carpinitos plain topsoil? It's 60% loam, 30% aged manure and 10% sand? Would that be a more cost effective way to build up a very large area (I'm going to need about 18 yards) or would the soil be so desperately in need of nutrients I'd still have to spend quite a bit to make it a viable AG planting spot? Hugely appreciate the replies so far!

2/21/2014 4:10:24 PM

Hinckley MN

so is Tagro the equivalent of milorganite?

2/21/2014 4:55:01 PM

Littlerock, WA

I would use the topsoil as the primary then add some of the Oly Mountain to it; maybe a half yard per planting site. I use it for top mulch on my plants when burying vines. It is good stuff.

2/23/2014 12:09:49 AM

Seattle, WA

I haven't seen the Carpinitos top soil but I'm inclined to agree with Cindy.

It's unfortunate there's not more decent topsoil options in our area at an affordable price.

Much better to spend your budget on your soil and skimp on fertilizer or other amendments in my opinion. You'll be fighting bad soil for years to come trying to get it up to what you want.

2/24/2014 1:00:05 PM