We've done a lot of testing in the last couple years on creating great soil for plants, shrubs, vegetables, and seeds. Some tests we've done were planting directly in slightly aged steer or chicken manures. Other tests planted directly in blends of "compost" purchased from stores such as Lowes and Home Depot.

We found that manures purchased by the bag are usually priced lower per square foot than "compost" mixes. They are also richer generally in nutrients for plants. But, they are also heavier and hold more water. They can be too heavy on their own and difficult for the plant to grow in. They can also be too fresh, or "hot".

We found that "compost" blends are usually not aged much if at all. They are generally comprised of shredded tree branches and chips, manure, forest humus, bat guano, etc. Although the additional ingredients beyond wood sound terrific, they do seem to make up a small amount of the mix.

Planting directly in a purchased "compost" mix is ok for plants and seeds in many cases, but we have found the nutrients a bit lacking for plants. The mix may be so rough that it does not retain water well.

We have found it best to combine 1 part steer manure with two parts "compost". Or, we would combine 1 part chicken manure in more rare cases (more expensive) with 5 parts "compost". This way the manure is not too "hot", but does benefit plants. When planting seeds, it is generally best to find a light, sterile mix if possible. The reason we like combining "compost" with manure is that the "compost" is fairly light in many cases, due to many openings between small pieces of ground wood and other items. Manure helps break down the wood, bring in worms and other insects, retain moisture, and add nutrients.

Often, an issue with planting seed in pots or the ground is protecting them from Squirrels, Birds, Cats, Dogs, and other animals. The best technique that I have found is using wire mesh, or chicken wire. I cut the mesh into sheets, and lay it on top of the newly planted soil with seeds. To create stakes, I buy a roll of thick stainless steel wire and cut it into eight inch pieces, bending each piece into stakes. After seeds have sprouted, and leaves from new plants are 2-3 inches in height, I remove the wire mesh for use in the future again. The nice thing about wire mesh is that it would be very difficult for an animal to penetrate through it. The benefit of using a few stakes every square foot is that larger animals would have a difficult time moving the mesh due to the stakes securing the mesh.

Pots With Wire Mesh

The artichoke plant in the photo below was planted by us in our California garden one and a half years ago. Since we have gophers in the ground, we dug a 1x1 foot hole and placed a square cage made of chicken wire in the hole. We then placed in 1/2 store bought compost (comprised of wood chips, worm castings, bat guano, and steer manure) and 1/2 aged steer manure, mixed together. The artichoke was a small starter plant from a local nursery which cost under $2. It was about 8 inches in height. Within about eight months of the original planting, the artichoke plant provided about ten artichokes. Now, one and a half years after original planting, the plant is huge, with four shoots and about thirty artichokes at the moment.


Most vegetables love a lot of sun. This artichoke gets full sun, although our weather is foggy sometimes as well. Artichokes are tough, easily putting up with any leaf trimming as needed as well as droughts. Artichokes can be harvested when the head is 4-8 inches in diameter, or they can be allowed to flower.

Growing Artichokes

Not every vegetable is worth growing from seed. Some vegetable seeds take a long time to germinate. Other vegetable seeds, once fully grown into vegetable plants, are not worth the money and time spent to grow. In our opinion, the best vegetables to grow from seed are those that can be planted close to each other for higher yield, and vegetables that produce quite a bit. Examples of vegetables we find very worth our time are Collards, Mustard, Lettuce, and Kale. Examples of vegetables not worth our time, due to just a one time harvest and long time to grow, are Carrots, Fennel, Cabbage, and Broccoli.