What is the best type of soil to put in a garden?

I have sandy soil, and I need to improve it. I also need to build up my flower beds. I grow herbs and flowers. I usually just buy a couple of bags of topsoil from Walmart, but I hear that this is no good. What is the best thing to use?

Answers:
add as much compost as you can; usually bags are not enough... in my area the city has a yard waste center where we can get free compost.. when I first started my garden, I'd add about 6 cubic yards per year... also, add as many leaves every fall as you can get, collect them from your neighbors... till them in as you add them... also, save some if you can, for mulch around your plants and along your paths to keep weeds down, then till them in again in the fall... also, if your soil is very sandy, try to add some soil that has a high clay content, this will help improve the moisture holding capacity... some added top soil will help but the compost/leaves are more important... for your flower beds, add compost as well as some hardwood shreaded mulch... it will help retain moisture and break down quickly to help the soil improve as well

Other answers:
the earthy stuff
the earthy stuff
earth soil
Top soil is not a bad start on the sandy stuff but you need a little more. Go to your local nursery and ask their advice for your area. They usually have a few organic soil mixes you can buy that have a mix of good quality soil, manure and other composts that do well for any garden. Then, once or twice a week dump your coffee grinds into your garden instead of the garbage, plants love them. Good luck.
horse **** heheheheh
rich damp earth soil is the best
Mix top soil and potting soil with cattle manure for flower beds
What I do for my garden is till the ground several times to get everything loosened up and the weeds gone and then I put Miracle Grow gardening soil with slow release beads in it. If you have really sandy soil, you may have to add a lot of soil to lessen the sandy/dirt ratio. Sandy soil is goo for planting in ground veggies like radishes, potatoes, onions..etc, so if you plan on planting any of that, leave that soil somewhat sandier.
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