Digging Deep: The Perfect Soil for Your West Coast Raised Garden Beds

Ah, the salty air, the gentle mist, the lush greenery – there's nothing quite like a West Coast garden. And if you're looking to maximize your harvest and minimize the backache, raised garden beds are a fantastic choice. But what's the secret ingredient to a thriving raised bed? It's all about the soil!

Here on the West Coast, we're blessed with a unique climate, and our soil needs to reflect that. We need a mix that retains moisture during our dry summers, drains well during our rainy winters, and provides the nutrients our plants crave.

The West Coast Blend: What to Include

• Topsoil: This is your foundation. Opt for a high-quality garden topsoil, not just fill dirt. It provides the base structure for your bed.
• Compost: This is the heart of a healthy garden. Compost adds organic matter, improves drainage, and provides essential nutrients. Think of it as the rainforest floor, rich and teeming with life. Use your own homemade compost, or purchase a high-quality, mature compost from a local supplier. On the West Coast, many local suppliers have amazing compost made from local resources. For example, many people in the greater Vancouver area purchase compost and soil amendments from places like GardenWorks. You can see their website here: GARDENWORKS garden centres | Canada.
• Coarse Sand or Perlite: Drainage is crucial, especially during our rainy seasons. Adding coarse sand or perlite helps prevent waterlogging and ensures your plants' roots don't suffocate. Perlite will also help with aeration.
• Peat Moss or Coconut Coir: These materials help retain moisture and improve soil structure. Coconut coir is a sustainable alternative to peat moss.
• A Touch of Local Magic: Consider adding some locally sourced amendments. Many West Coast garden centers offer kelp meal or fish compost, which are rich in micronutrients and beneficial for our coastal gardens. For those looking for a wide variety of plants and amendments, I would recommend looking at Devan Greenhouse. They have a very large selection of goods, located in Abbotsford, BC. Here is a link to their web page. You can check out their website here: https://devangh.ca/ 

West Coast Considerations:

• pH Levels: Our coastal soils can sometimes be acidic. Test your soil's pH and amend it with lime if necessary. For those on southern Vancouver Island, Buckerfields Country stores have many locations that can supply lime, and other soil amendments.
• Drainage is Key: With our heavy rainfall, drainage is paramount. Ensure your raised beds have adequate drainage holes.
• Local Resources: Support local garden centers and nurseries. They often have soil mixes specifically formulated for our West Coast climate. For a great nursery in Surrey BC, check out Arts Nursery. They have a very large selection of soil products, and plants. Arts Nursery Ltd - Garden | Home | Patio - Garden Centre and Plant Nursery & Popup Pumpkin Patch.

Join the Community:

Share your raised bed gardening experiences and photos with us! Tag your posts on social media and connect with fellow West Coast gardeners. Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/615017977967939 for more gardening discussions and inspiration.

Happy gardening! 🍄

Photo credit: Katya Ershova