Where to Get Compost?

Q. I have an 8x8 raised bed garden 3 feet deep.  About 3 years ago I bought soil from Viragrow here in North Las Vegas.  Have also added rock dust bought from Viragrow.  Last year I added 5 bags of cow manure from Star Nursery.  I would like to get the soil tested.  Is there anyone in the Las Vegas/North Las Vegas area that does this.   Also, where can I go for good compost?  Any info would be helpful.  Thanks so much 

A. We don't want to sound overconfident, but Viragrow has the best compost in Las Vegas. Unlike other compost that you can buy, Viragrow contains a lot of plant nutrients so the application of extra fertilizer is not needed. Typically all the fertilizer that needs to be applied is a small amount of high nitrogen fertilizer after about six months of producing vegetables and herbs in this soil mix. High nitrogen fertilizers can be in the form of mineral fertilizer like 21-0-0 or blood meal at around 12-0-0. 

Forget the cow manure. There are too many problems using it to cover here. I know it's cheap but "you get what you pay for". If you and a 1 inch layer of compost to this raised bed and rototill or double dig it into the existing soil you won't need anything added. You won't need a soil test unless you have growing problems. All the nutrients that plants need are contained in the compost.

You can get bags of compost from viragrow for $4.25 per bag. For your raised bed about three bags of compost are needed. For $15 you have everything you need for growing great vegetables and herbs and rebuilding the soil without mineral fertilizers.