What a great resource you have! I'm no expert but I would think that would be wonderful as a growing medium. I wonder, too, if it would be suitable for starting seeds/seedlings in. The only downside I possibly see is it may to 'heavy' for some of the smaller seeds. Maybe if you could strain/filter it to get out some of the larger particles? Or add something to 'lighten' it up some, something like vermiculite? I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in...be sure to let us know how this did for you!

I am in the process of making my own earth boxes. I have grown tomato's in containers for some time now but never really had any design. I think Monday, don't like to work on Sunday, I will make one special earth box and fill it with soil from my forest, yea right, will find a clearing till it up of course that will mix up the leaves, dirt,pine straw and all then put it in my earth box. Will see what happens.

As an act of pure kindness, I'd be willing to haul off a couple of dumptrucks of your topsoil to experiment with before you risk losing any seeds ;-)

However if you insist....I'm not sure I'd trust it for seed-starting over a lighter, sterile medium. For container gardening, I almost always use a good blend of potting soil, top soil and compost, striving for a medium that is light and airy, but also has "substance", improved moisture retention and is nutrient-rich. If your topsoil is as you describe, you probably have, naturally-occuring, what I must concoct each spring, and I repeat the above offer!

Nelson ;-)

Man you are all heart. I really appreciate the offer but I do not want to put you to any trouble.

Nelson you are so funny