Re: [aroid-l] soils for raised beds

From: "Clarence Hammer" chammer at cfl.rr.com> on 2004.01.12 at 03:58:54(11008) Highly destructive microscopic nematodes are a way of life in Florida soils. If you have these in your soil where you are, I would definitely not have ground contact with your raised beds. They will even travel up thru bottom holes in pots if the two soils are touching. I think much depends on the climate in your area of the country as to what your soil mix is made of. Florida potting mixes in my humble opinion require extra drainage in the form of ground bark or coarse perlite. Climates with much less humidity might require extra organic ingredient to retain more moisture. Of course in a greenhouse you can control much of this regardless of climate unless you leave it open air in the summer like I do. I prefer a mix like Fafard 3 mix (peat and composted bark) with extra bark and extra perlite. Russ +More central Fla

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