Grow a frugal garden w/ no soil at all! I've been told..

[catlady101]

I have solid clay soil here and I have just conditioned my soil by use of manure, compost and mulch....in a few years time I have beautiful rich soil but it is still clay so I am not able to grow long carrots and things like that but otherwise I am doing fine....I can grow onions and other shallow root veggies. Some places you can get mulch from the local electric company for free...you have to pick it up I have also seen farms who give away their excess manure too just for the picking up and hauling.
Ruth

[KLF]

All of my garden is grown in big pots. I have an orange tree, two apple trees, attempting a walnut tree, two tomatoes, two strawberries, two with carrots, and a grape vine growing alright so far. The soil I used was miracle grow potting soil, comes in big bags at Walmart or whatever the cheapest brand is when I buy. This has worked good so far for me. You all have listed some good advice though for when I finally get a house and start a bigger garden.

[Darkstarzz10]

A tip for all of you gardeners, most boarding stables will give you free manure just to get rid of it. Or look for someone who owns a few horses. Composted horse manure is great for gardens. Both my strawberry beds and tomato beds were built with them and they both do great. I get big juicy strawberries and huge delicious tomatoes. Just make sure if you get it fresh you compost it first and don't put it in a bed right away. Its way to hot and and it will burn your plants. Happy gardening

[catlady101]

Thanks for the info about composting the manure first...
Ruth

[Scooby]

I saw this on another site------

Take an old (or new) childs plastic swimming pool, drill holes for drainage, fill with soil and viola you have a very inexpensive container garden. These pools are very inexpensive. We bought one that we bathe our dogs in.

[catlady101]

Sometimes you can find ones that are being thrown out cause they have a hole in the bottom...it would be free if the whole was not too large or if you used a liner to keep the integrety. ....great idea Scooby.
Ruth