Old Soil In New Garden

Last year, we had just bought this 5 acres & wanted to just "play around" with a vegetable garden spot but didnt want to go to the expense of buying equipment like tillers etc for a big vegetable garden until we knew we really wanted that extra chores every day.
So, we bought treated 2 X 12's & built a 4' X 8' above ground spot for some tomato, bell pepper & squash plants. We bought big bags of Miracle Grow soil & filled it about 10" deep.

This year, we plan to buy a garden tiller & have a larger space. The property here is mainly sand.... very sandy. Good for melons but not good for other things. I want to transfer the old Miracle Grow soil from last years above ground garden spot, to the new garden spot, add an amount of Miracle Grow into the spot & till it all together so, Ill have a little better soil base in addition to the very sandy soil already here that I cant do anything about.

Can I use the old soil from last year & just add some miracle Grow to it to add all the good stuff to the soil? My issue is, I have to transfer the old soil somewhere anyway to make the new garden bed there, then remove the 2 X 12 frame. Since I gotta move the soil, I figured I'd just move it into the new spot & utilize it. But, will that be beneficial/advisable after adding Miracle Grow.

 

First, I recommend taking a soil sample to your counties agricultrual extension office. In my county testing is $4. You fill out a form with your contact information and tell them what you want to grow. In a couple weeks you get back a report of your soil and a recommendation of what you need to do.

For more specific advice you need to say specifically what products you are using. Miracle Grow is a brand name that covers many products. Simply saying "Miracle Grow" is like sending someone to the store to buy you some Proctor & Gamble.

 

This...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-...9430/206553426

Or this.....

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-...0430/206553445

 

It doesn't hurt to use the 'old' soil. It should help but may not be enough. Having your dirt tested takes away the guess work.

 

Never knew we had new vs old soil, all soil is just decomposing material.

Miracle Grow soil?

I think any old soil will work, pre -treated with fertilizes sounds expensive and probably is not needed.

 

Certainly use it. It won't hurt and it will add organic matter and will retain moisture. During it's decomposition it may consume some of the nitrogen from your natural soil so you might need a little extra fertilizer. I wouldn't bother buying any more for the garden until you get your soil test back.

 

OK thanks guys................