Raised Garden

[Homer]

I have a raised area bordered by landscape timbers and filled with sand which I had an inflatable swimming pool on. I want to use this space for a garden. What soil and soforth should I use, and can I use the sand as a base?

[pruninggal]

Sounds like a lot of your work has already been taken care of for you! I would dump a large load of compost on top many inches thick and plant right in it. If the sand is not too compacted than it will drain nicely and start to mix with the compost eventually. You might also think about adding another tier so you can hold more good soil... just a thought.

Have fun!
Katy

Tips for sandy soil taken from http://www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/design/soil/

Sand - As with clay the best way to improve sandy soil is to add lots of organic matter again in the form of 'spent mushroom compost unless you intend to plant acid loving plants such as azaleas or rhododendrons. If you wish to plant acid loving plants then most council now produce good compost from the recycling programs they have in operation.