Q: I have a vege pod-style raised bed. What's the best way to refresh the soil without changing it all out?
Soil is one of the few things you can fully control in a vege pod or raised planter, so it's worth getting right.
Replace it if you can
Ideally, change the soil completely each season. That makes sure the growing mix has enough nutrients and still drains freely. Only partly refreshing it can lead to only partial success with your vegetables, and pests and diseases can build up in soil that isn't replaced regularly.
Buying in bulk makes a full change-out more affordable than you might think. Daltons Garden Mix is a natural blend of organic ingredients made for planter beds, and one half cubic metre fills a lot of vege pods.
If you're topping up instead
If you're on a tight budget or can't replace all the mix:
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Top up with fresh mix. Remove the top layer of old soil and replace it with Daltons Garden Mix, which works as a soil conditioner, garden booster or planter mix.
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Add organic matter. Fork some Daltons Compost through the existing soil to improve structure and moisture holding.
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Feed the soil. Sprinkle a vege and herb fertiliser over the existing soil and mix it in well. Check the pack for rates.
Rotating what you grow in each pod also helps. See our crop rotation guide below.
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