Mike, I like to add 'Dry Stall' to the mix. It's pumice and can be bought in large bags at 'Sam's downtown feed store' on San Carlos blvd. It is cheaper than buying pumice at nurseries. In a message dated 7/13/2014 12:34:28 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, michaelcmace@gmail.com writes: I'd like to ask for the wisdom of the list. I'm building a raised bed this summer to hold surplus bulbs. It'll be contained by pressure treated lumber, about seven inches (18 cm) deep, 3' wide (1 m) and 25' long (8 m). It will have hardware cloth on the bottom, and will sit over native soil that has been solarized. Since I'll be using it for surplus bulbs, I don't want to take the time and expense to do the pots-in-plunge media thing that many folks on the list use in beds. Instead, I'll just plant the bulbs directly into the bed, allowing them to mix gloriously over time. (Well, I hope it'll be glorious.) My question to the list is, what sort of soil do you recommend that I use in the bed? The same as my potting medium, or something else? The problem with my usual potting mix is that it breaks down in a few years, and I want this bed to last. The bulbs in the bed will be Moraeas, Glads, and a few other miscellaneous winter-growing things from South Africa and California. Any advice on the soil (or anything else)? Thanks, Mike San Jose, CA (zone 9, min temp 20F / -6C) _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/