I’ve been adding more top soil to the backyard row garden so it drains better and is closer to the elevation of the shop building. The size is about 50′ x 40′ now. Several yards of organic material, mostly tree leaves and old straw, was added to the top of the soil and then tilled in. The organic matter should break down in the soil over the winter and add fertility for a spring garden.
With the help from a den of Cub Scouts, we set up 3 new raised beds. They are 4′ x 4′ and made out of treated 2×12 lumber. I filled them with planting mix from Texas Pure, which contains 50% compost, 25% sand and 25% top soil/loam.
The soil in the creek bed behind the house is probably the best soil in Collin County. It is soft and easy to dig. I appreciate the free donation from my neighbors at higher elevation. I’m going to dig a little out and move it to the area where I want my new garden beds. As a bonus, the depression I’m leaving should serve to slow the water down next time a big rain comes, so more ‘good top soil’ will settle in the area and provide me more.
