For that much volume you might want to try American Soil and Stone in Richmond. They have a number of soil blends in bulk which you can either have delivered or pick up there if you have access to a pickup truck. I'd go with a fairly sandy loam potting mix.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Soil and Stone

Thanks. I've actually hauled many cubic yards of their "general landscape" soil for my rear yard. But when I asked about higher-nutrient soil for container plants, they said the same product is their best, and they think it's okay!

I've heard that sandy mix compacts too much for containers.

I never use anything fancy for my potted bamboo. Some other plants, yes, but not bamboo. If you are worried about nutrients, give your bamboo some cheap lawn fertilizer occasionally.

What I usually do is pickup about 1/2 yard of general purpose topsoil at my local yard materials store, and it costs less than $1.50 a cubic foot in bulk. If you or your friends don't have a small trailer or a pickup, a van works: take out the seats, line it with a piece of visqueen, and shovel it in at the materials yard...which is what I used to do!

Okay, I've gone ahead and purchased the "Organic MultiPurpose" blend from American Soil. It's a bit heavier than I've seen for potting soil, but some other people there today said that THAT is their best. $40.50 for one cubic yard. I used my trailer.

Thanks for the reply on never using anything fancy for bamboo. I've never planted bamboo, and nothing in so many containers. So it's either a huge success or a huge mistake.

You'll be good, and SF is a great climate for many bamboo. All you need to do is to remember to water them!

I get ground up garden fines from my local recycle center. I've had terrific success with potted and unpotted plants. Very high in nitrogen. Cost is 12 bucks a yard. Many waste sites that take wood and garden waste now recycle into great products at low cost. Shd be available in your area. Rgds

A friend with a long-established mailorder nursery pots everything in bark and sand, plus slow release fertilizer. When he grows a bamboo, such as the time he raised some Chusquea from seed, it also goes into bark and sand.

Woodland/moist situation plants get more bark, dry climate types more sand.

Hello. I was wondering how your bamboo in planter boxes worked out? I am thinking of doing the same thing and keep getting stuck on what material to use to build the boxes. I'm also curious as to why you used a clumper? Since it is in boxes, my thinking is that you (and I!) don't need to worry about it spreading, and that a clumper might not be the best choice. But I am a newbie, so what do I know?!

Thanks for any advice.

Hello, I am thinking of doing the same thing and have the same questions as sanfranman12. Any update on your bamboo containers?