Just what is it about fishing that makes us southern men go weak in the knees?

You could catch us on a busy day, and you’ll still find we have a bit of energy left to throw the reel once before the sun sets.

After all, to us, fishing isn’t just about catching the heaviest largemouth bass.

It’s like combining all the beneficial aspects of meditation, exercise, napping, to recharge the vital mental batteries that keep us going all week long.

That’s why people go to such great lengths to buy quality fishing gear.

And you don’t even have to be a southerner to relate!

Hey Y’all, I’m Jason, and today I’m going to talk about my experience with the 10 best spinning reels I picked out last month.

Spoiler alert: Not all of those reels turned out to be as great as I had hoped they’d be. And that lead me to choose only 3 among 10 spinning reels after over 40 hours of hands-on use.

What are they? Read on to find out!

Best Spinning Reels

1. KastKingSharky III 4000 Fishing Reel

If there’s one thing KastKing believes in, it’s affordable innovation. And that ideology is reflected across their entire fishing lineup, especially their latest range of spinning reels.

Not only are the Sharky fishing reels considerably cheaper than competitors, but they are also highly durable and powerful. In fact, the Sharky III 4000 I purchased for this review has a maximum line capacity of 40 lbs. at a distance of 170 yards.

Standout Features

• Offers excellent bang for your buck
• Water and dust resistant
• High line capacity (40 lbs. at 170 yards)
• Saltwater rated
• Red and black design is quite eye-catching

What did I like?

Since I had a long weekend ahead, I decided it was the perfect time to test 3 of the best spinning reels available in the market today.

This time around, I took the family on a fishing trip to the Toledo Bend, which happens to be one of my favorite fishing destinations in Louisiana.

On the first day, I chose to test the prowess of the Sharky III 4000. And it wasn’t long before I found some luck. The first fish I reeled in was a juvenile flathead catfish, which I soon found out didn’t meet the MLL (minimum length limit) of the Toledo Bend.

Although I was bummed at my first attempt, I was cheered on by my daughter to catch a large fish. And soon enough, I felt a strong pull on the line. This time, it was yet another flathead catfish, but, one that weighed about 48 lbs.!

Honestly, the Sharky III 4000 didn’t break a sweat while reeling in the 48 lbs. catch. Moreover, the grippy handle made things a lot easier as my palm got covered in sweat.

Apart from the surprisingly high line capacity, excellent handle, and affordable pricing, I really admire the black and red design. It not only looks cool but also feels well-built.

However, if there was one complaint, it has to be the noise. Although the retrieval is quite smooth, it makes some noise which can detract from the otherwise flawless performance. 

Verdict

The Sharky III 4000 brings a lot of power at a very competitive price. And despite its low price, it doesn’t come with any compromises apart from the extra reeling noise.

In my opinion, if you’re a beginner in the world of fishing and are looking for a fishing reel which will last you at least a couple of years, then this is a rather good choice.

2. Cadence Fishing CS8 Spinning Reel | 4000 (10lb/220yds)

Although it is one of the newer brands, Cadence Fishing has been slowly gaining steam with its high-quality fishing gear. They are extremely dedicated to the sport of fishing. In fact, if you spend $ 50 or more on any of their products, they will send a kid’s rod and reel combo to one of their charitable partners.

And that is exactly why I decided to purchase the Cadence Fishing CS8 Spinning Reel. Now, let’s find out how this fishing reel fared against its more established competitors.

Standout Features

• Offers premium features at a good value
• Built from high-quality materials like magnesium and carbon fiber
• Very lightweight but sturdy
• Buttery smooth retrieval

What did I like?

After having some great catches with the powerful KastKing spinning reel, I was really eager to test the CS8 spinning reel from Cadence Fishing.

Now, I knew this reel didn’t have the same power or line capacity as the Sharky III, and so, I altered my fishing strategy. This time around, instead of catfishes, I tried to focus on just black basses.

And would you believe it, the first catch itself was a 16.4 lbs. largemouth bass! This was the largest I ever caught! And I was so ecstatic that for a moment I even forgot I was reviewing the CS8 spinning reel.

After regaining my composure, I realized that the reeling operation was buttery smooth, much more so than the Sharky III. Moreover, it was considerably lighter than the KastKing product.

And I must say, lighter doesn’t mean inferior build. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. The CS8 features premium materials, including a magnesium frame and carbon fiber parts.

For those of you doubting magnesium, let me just say that the latest Porsche 911 GT2 RS is one of the few supercars to feature magnesium parts. Yes, it’s that impressive!

Verdict

If you’re looking to catch small to medium sized fish, the CS8 Spinning Reel from Cadence Fishing is one of the best options out there. And it only gets better if you consider their motto of helping underprivileged kids.

3. Penn Spinfisher V SSV4500 Spinning Reel

Penn requires no introduction in the world of fishing. The company has been perfecting and pushing the boundaries of reel design ever since it was founded in 1932! And while their products may be priced a little higher than competitors, they are well worth the premium.

Now, it’s time to find out why Penn is the leading brand of fishing reels. 

Standout Features

• The watertight spinning reel is protected from saltwater and sand environments
• HT-100 Slammer drag system ensures excellent drag range and smooth reeling 
• Comes with friction trip ramp which aids in accurate, long-distance casting
• Line capacity rings make the fishing experience more convenient
• Black and gold design looks quite classy

What did I like?

I’ve used quite a few Penn fishing products before and so, I decided to test it last.

Since it was a Sunday, there was a bit of a crowd around me. But, the Spinfisher’s Friction Trip Ramp made long-distance casting a breeze. And that made a significant difference in the volume of fish I caught compared to my peers.

As for the reeling action, it’s excellent. However, I felt that it’s slightly inferior to the CS8 Spinning Reel. That’s not a negative point for the Spinfisher; rather, it just shows how good the CS8 really is. 

When it comes to the build, this spinning reel feels like a tank! But, it’s a little on the heavier side.

Verdict

Apart from the slightly heavy build, you can’t really fault the Spinfisher. Sure, it’s on the expensive side, but it’s absolutely worth your money.

In my opinion, if you’re searching for a spinning reel which is not only reliable but has excellent long-distance casting capabilities and smooth reeling operation, look no further.

How to Choose the Best Spinning Reels

I’ve used a lot of different types of spinning reels over the years and discovered there is more to these devices than what meets the eye. And I found that out the hard way! The worst thing you can do as an amateur is buying a spinning reel without any consideration of:

• The species you’re planning to catch
• The fishing environment, i.e., the type of water
• The method of release and construction of the spinning reel
•  The way of fishing you’re most comfortable in, or find most convenient

Don’t worry; I’m not going to keep you guessing. Here’s what you should look for:

Type of water

The first consideration you must remember is not what kind of fish species you wish to catch, but where you’re going to go fishing. If the place you’re headed has either brackish or salt water, your reel’s internal components must be made out of corrosion resistant alloys that lend more durability.

But that’s not to say you can never use spinning reels you have used for freshwater fishing on saltwater. It’s just that the reel will be exposed to the corrosive properties of sand and salt, which will eventually cut down the reel’s lifespan.

Besides, a freshwater reel after it’s been exposed to saltwater can be challenging to clean entirely as salt will still be inside of the reel body or entangled in the line that’s adjacent to the spool.

Type of fish

Since the size and amount of line plays a significant role in landing the intended species of fish, figuring out what you want to catch can make things a whole lot easier. For example, to catch bigger and aggressive species such as sailfish or tarpon, you need a reel having enough line capacity and drag strength to allow for long runs without snapping under tension.

For largemouth bass and catfish outing in the Toledo Bend, I chose freshwater reels with smooth ball bearings, larger spools, and more than average line capacity.

Speed vs. Power

The ratio of speed to power in gear will decide how fast you’ll be able to reel in the fish and its total cranking power. The need to choose the appropriate gear ratio is more dependent on your style of fishing than the species you’re targeting.

Reels with the gear ratio 5.5:1 to 6.3:1 is best for people who like to retrieve the reel faster

The reels with gear ratio 4.1:1 are those having more cranking power, ideal for catching some of the more aggressive species

Bearings

Fishing pros say that it’s the bearings that determine the quality of a spinning reel – amen to that! Good quality bearings make using a reel pleasurable, especially on a long day of casting. Bearings of low quality, on the other hand, make noise and vibrate as if you were using a hand coffee grinder.

The alloys used to make bearings are what decide if it’s of ordinary or top-notch quality. So, if you’re buying a spinning reel to use in saltwater, make sure the bearings are made of chromium stainless steel alloy and are more rust resistant.

Line capacity

Most spinning reels can support line weights that go as low as 2 pounds and can cast low weight lures as long as you match it with the ideal rod. Larger models are designed to catch bigger fish on both fresh and saltwater and come with the heaviest weights of line. To choose the one best for your needs, make use of the line capacity of the reel spools.

My personal advice? Don’t skip out on matching the line with the rod’s capabilities and capacity of the reel with your targeted species of fish. You’ll thank me later!

Convenience

Unless you’re an angler who casts with one hand and changes to the other when it’s reeling time, you should be wary of whether it has been built to favor people with a strong right hand or a strong left hand.

The good thing is that most hot spinning wheels available online and interchangeable from side to side, so there goes one worry out of the way.

Which spinning reel will you buy?

Now that I just gave you a brief rundown on how to choose the top spinning reels and reviews of three of my favorite products, which one are you planning to buy? Will it be the smooth reeling action of the CS8 or the high drag strength of the Sharky III? Or maybe you prefer the excellent casting capabilities of the Spinfisher? In the end it’s your preference that matters.

I don’t care what anyone says; fishing is never too big for anyone’s britches. It all comes down to the right technique and right equipment. So, go ahead and choose one for yourself and let me know about your experience in the comments section below.

Meta: Wondering how to create SEO proposals that win clients? Then the following guide is your ticket to getting the job done.

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Crafting SEO proposals that win clients…. doesn’t really seem all that hard, does it? After all, when you put in the work, you get the desired results, right?

At least, that’s exactly what’s on Emily’s mind when she goes in for her next client pitch. Her team has done the required analyses, taken the most relevant factors into account, and finally crafted a unique strategy that’s just perfect for the client.

And when she presents the pitch, reactions all around the table are genuinely positive. By the time Emily finishes the presentation, she’s almost sure of bagging the contract. Enthused, she returns to her office and waits for the client to email back.

And waits.

And waits….

But even after ten days of the presentation, there’s no communication from the client’s end. Emily is visibly disheartened; she doesn’t understand what could’ve gone wrong. Also, she’s conflicted about how she should follow up with the client without appearing overeager.

Sadly, she’s not alone.

The Art Of Winning SEO Proposals

The Problem Of The Indecisive Client

If you’re one of those experts who have experience handling SEO pitches, you’ll know what we’re talking about. It feels as if you already have the client in thrall during most pitches, and then there’s radio silence.

What should you do in such a situation? After all, the client never rejected your proposal…in fact, the opposite seemed true. But neither did they agree to it; so, what is the best path that you can take in order to get a positive nod from them?

This is the question that forms the crux of what we like to call “The Problem Of The Indecisive Client.”

And this really is quite the conundrum; the client didn’t object to your proposal, and the very fact that they came to you indicates that they are in need of your services. And still, they delay making the final decision.

It can’t be a trust issue; otherwise, they might not have come to your agency in the first place. So, where does the real trouble lie?

Think thoroughly, and you’ll find that it’s most likely the client doesn’t yet have enough information to take a decisive stance. They want to take the step forward, but they are apprehensive about doing so due to a lack of knowledge.

The solution to this lies in explaining each part of your pitch from the ground up. By laying bare your exact thought process behind every fact and figure, you stand to eliminate doubt and encourage rational decision making.

To explain how this can be done, let’s take a closer look at the steps that should make up a winning SEO proposal. Along the way, we’ll also take a look at some potential problems, and also how to find data-driven solutions for the same.

The Essentials Of An SEO Proposal

1. Do Primary Keyword Research

The key to understanding the SEO landscape of any particular industry lies in keyword research. Your presentation’s success depends on what keywords you’ve chosen and how you can support your choice of those keywords.

The trouble is, with your experience and expertise, you might intuitively know which keywords to include. Sadly, this might not be the case for your client, who would need a better reason to trust you.

In this case, presenting the client with clear metrics related to keyword search volume, the number of searches per month, and year-on-year increase in search volume can be helpful. Focusing on data as the basis for the choice of keywords can be useful in demonstrating to the client that you not only know your own business, but theirs as well.

2. Perform Competition Analysis

Another factor that can seal the deal on the choice of keywords is showing the client how competitors are performing on the chosen keyword groups. Here, you might face resistance of a different kind.

In most cases, clients only consider other businesses in their niche as the competition. When you show them your list of potential competitors, they might just tend to disagree with your analysis.

At this point, you need to have the required data from Google searches to show clients that you’ve only gone with companies that are performing well on the chosen keyword groups. At the same time, make them aware of the dynamicity of search statistics.

Through this, you’ll be able to make it clear to the client that they are not only competing with businesses in their domain but also others targeting the same keyword groups. And, if the other companies can perform well using those keywords, so can your potential clients.

3. Explain The Difference Between Brand And Non-Brand Traffic

It doesn’t take a marketing expert to tell that the primary purpose of SEO is to achieve greater levels of organic traffic. However, an SEO strategy’s success cannot be decided based on merely the present organic reach.

Why is that? Because organic traffic is composed of visitors from the brand as well as non-brand searches. However, it’s only the non-brand traffic that can be considered as a direct result of SEO success.

Now, your customer might have this knowledge, but you need to fortify your argument by using the required tools that present them with the data. When you present a clear demarcation of brand vs. non-brand traffic, you show that you’re being honest about evaluating the performance of your SEO efforts.

At the same time, this will make it clear to the client that you’re not trying to piggyback your results on other marketing efforts that might be going on in their organization. This can help to remove a lot of doubts that might be stopping a potential client from reaching a favorable decision.

4. Make Forecasts Transparent And Verifiable

When it comes to forecasting the performance of an SEO campaign, many agencies make the mistake of evaluating success in terms of ranking on the SERPs. The truth is, the client doesn’t really care where they appear on the search results, as long as it brings in intentful clicks that lead to conversions.

If you put yourself in the customers’ shoes, then any SEO improvements must lead to one goal: better business. Let’s face it; conversions and clicks are prime metrics by which businesses measure their success.

And while it might seem like a straight line from better search rankings to more clicks and conversions, your presentation data needs to explain the thought process behind the steps. This will help to make things more evident to the client.

In order to do that, you need to explain the exact mechanism of how Google shows keyword-based results. Also important is to factor in the impact of the introduction of new search features.

For example, consider the case of mobile search. The screen size of handheld devices necessitates multiple scrolls past Google widgets and ads to reach the organic results. This is just one example of the complexity level that forecasts hide under the layers.

Using tools like variable CTR modeling and considering temporal changes in search volumes, you can make the forecasting process more transparent to the client. Such a data-driven approach to forecasting makes it more verifiable and dependable.

5. Set Clear Expectations From The Start

Getting success in SEO is a matter of patience and perseverance. If your prospective client already has SEO experience, they’ll know that it’s a long-term game. In case they are first-timers, you need to make this clear to them from the very beginning.

Explain that the initial months would see an inevitable lull, but the pace will pick up as the campaign gains traction. The best method to do this is to present a monthly forecast for the coming year, allowing the client to blend sales projections with SEO progression.

This way, they will learn to see SEO as an integral part of their business process instead of an external influence. Also, they’ll understand where they would lag without your SEO efforts to boost them forward.

Not only that, comprehensive SEO forecasts which set clear expectations also help to avoid conflict further down the line. Plus, it shows that your campaign is based on factual data instead of unverifiable promises.

6. Put The Budget Into Perspective

One of the significant challenges that you might have to face when making a pitch is the budget. It’s natural for your client to ask the question, “Is all this worth the money I’m paying?” And the answer to this question can make or break the deal.

In such a situation, it’s best to put the budget into perspective by comparing it with the cost of running a PPC campaign on the same keyword list. This not only helps justify your pricing but also allows the client to gain a clear understanding of the value your work can bring to their business.

7. Make Performance Tracking A Must

By this time, you should have eliminated most of the doubts in your client’s mind. Still, there’s one crucial barrier that you must overcome: gaining the client’s trust that you’ll be able to deliver on what you just promised.

The best way to do this is to allow the client access to transparent reports that’ll let them see the results firsthand. It would help if you also described how the reporting would align with their business goals and the metrics that make up the performance analysis.

If necessary, you can also include the client’s end-goals from SEO into the contract. This is a bold move, but one that can remove any lingering shreds of doubt that might still be lurking in the client’s mind.

Enabling Customers To Come On Board

The smallest seed of doubt can lead to a client spiraling down the road to indecision. The above steps are simply an attempt to clear any concerns that may have arisen in the client’s mind during your pitch.

The key to enabling the customer to say ‘yes’ is to explain each and every step in your proposal. Along with that, you need to support every argument with clear, data-driven evidence that makes perfect sense to the client’s team.

Now, we understand that following each of these steps perfectly can be quite difficult. To help you get over that challenge, we’ve created a brand new iteration of our ‘Search Awards’ winning SEO forecasting module.

This tool will help you with each one of the above steps. The only thing it can’t really help you with is dealing with the elation that comes from sealing deal after deal.

For more than four years, we’ve used our forecasting technology to help hundreds of clients enhance the efficacy of their pitches. But we know you expect more from us, so we’ve decided to go ahead and make things even easier for you.

This time, we’ve created an SEO proposal builder that uses data from SEOMonitor, and leverages real-world examples from global SEO agencies. What’s more, it uses a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it as easy to use as Google slides.

However, that’s only a small fraction of what we can achieve. SEOMonitor is designed to allow you to get, handle, and keep more clients. That’s what we’ve achieved for hundreds of SEO agencies, and can do the same for you.

Together, we can embark on a journey that brings greater accountability and transparency to the SEO industry.

Extra-Tip: Following-up With Success

Finally, a small suggestion on following up with the client. Most often, SEO agency reps make the mistake of asking the clients if they have reviewed their proposal. Since the clients are really busy more often than not, it’s natural that they might not have had the opportunity to do so yet.

Instead, a better approach would be to search through the industry’s current organic search status and look for changes that your client may not know about. Using Signals allows you to spot any such information, giving you a scope of taking talks forward.

Video Script

We are living through tough times, and loneliness is a feeling millions of people around the world are experiencing right now. To keep ourselves and others around us safe during the pandemic, our usual ways of meeting friends and family seem to have been put on an indefinite pause. And the activities that we once took for granted now look as if they’re privileges which we can no longer afford.

When the need for social distancing is being preached far and wide, not many people are opening up about their desperate need to socialize. According to research, persistent feelings of loneliness can cause depression, heart disease, weakened immunity, and increased risk of dementia. And these adverse physical health effects are not limited to people of an older age group. Young people–especially those in their 20’s– are at an increased risk of developing ailments because of the drastic change in their lifestyles.

We are all united in our fight against the Coronavirus, but how do we deal with the mental effects of social isolation that just don’t seem to go away? With this video, we’ll try to give you insights into the problem, hoping they at least ease some of your struggles.

It all starts with acceptance

Whether you’re staying indoors because of a state-imposed strict lockdown or quarantined due to suspected exposure, you may find yourself completely unprepared to deal with the myriad of feelings that come and go every day. While retired people and those with chronic illness may already know what it’s like to be home for long periods of time, almost all of us are used to going out regularly– be it for work or leisure. And to have everything come to a stop so suddenly can be jarring.

Right now, the best you can do is accept the chaos and confusion of the world for what it is instead of trying to fight it. All our career plans, travel goals, and even relationships that appeared to be blooming at one point of time have to be postponed. The path to healing begins with acceptance, so the sooner you make peace with the fact that things will take time to normalize again, the better you’ll feel. 

Fine-tune into the location of loneliness in your body and observe the shape it takes. Sit down, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. Allow yourself enough time and space to actually feel your feelings without judgment or inhibition. Acknowledge its presence and tell yourself it’s only human to feel lonely, and this too will pass with time. 

Stay in touch with your loved ones

It is now more important than ever to find new ways to connect with people close to us. And by that, we don’t only mean talking to them over messenger, WhatsApp, or through video calls, we’re talking about developing a more profound connection through communication. Technology is our best friend now, and with its help, we can forge relationships that can help us get through these trying times. 

A simple Hi can make all the difference in their world if you have a friend who lives alone or might not have close connections. If you have a neighbor who doesn’t come out to chat as much as they used to anymore, you can check in on them while still maintaining physical distance or offer to help with anything they might need.

These random acts of kindness go a long way in creating loving bonds and reduce the pangs of being alone.

Give yourself all the love you need

It is impossible to create meaningful relationships with people if you don’t know how to love yourself. As human beings, it’s quite natural to feel emotional pain of one kind or another; anger, hurt, shame, disappointment, or inadequacy. These feelings can especially take a toll during extended periods of social isolation because there might not be anyone for you to turn to and talk about those feelings. 

During times like these, be kind to yourself rather than critical. Failures, mistakes, and mishaps are a part of life, so learn whatever you can from experience and treat yourself gently. Accept flaws for what they are, and they’ll no longer work as a burden that weighs you down and prevents you from rising to be your best self. Self-compassion is the cornerstone of one’s well being, so make sure you’re giving yourself lots of it. 

You can practice self-compassion by doing whatever that makes you feel good. It can be sitting quietly and enjoying the first cup of coffee in the morning, reading a good book, listening to music, or doing yoga– whatever kindness means for you, be sure to give yourself enough in meaningful and intentional ways. When you’re consistent at caring about yourself, self-compassion becomes much easier to achieve, even in the midst of emotional pain.

If you think you learned something new today, don’t forget to share this video with a friend who needs to see it. Also, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to see more such content in the future. Till next time!

Meta – How can the camping industry sustain its growth in the post Covid-19 world? Check out some info on the topic.

The year 2020 is bound to go down in history for a number of reasons..

With the tourism industry coming to a halt and the Covid-19 pandemic seemingly never-ending, the hope for a vaccine is the only thing that’s keeping many people going. Even then, work from home and restricted leisurely activities have forced citizens to look for safer travel alternatives.

As people have started realizing how much they loved spending time with their loved ones outdoors, campers and RVs are trending among both first-time and experienced campers. However, this raises the concern – whether the camping industry will be able to sustain its growth post Covid-19?

This is definitely an important question that I plan on addressing through this article. But before that, I find it imperative to highlight the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry.

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Tourism Industry

Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, tourism has been the largest industry to have been impacted. The terror of contracting the virus on a flight and the safety concerns related to hotel staycations have managed to weigh heavily on everyone’s minds, and it’s natural for these fears to prevail even after we get a vaccine.

It’s a fact that Covid-19 has forced many to postpone and cancel their international travel plans. This has resulted in an estimated decline in the number of international tourists by 58% to 78% from 2019 to 2020. At the same time, the projected loss in revenues from international tourism is $910 billion to $1.2 trillion.

The first few months of 2020 have already recorded a loss of $320 billion, more than three times the loss experienced during the 2009 economic crisis.

Keeping aside the numbers, I’m sure you’ll agree that North Americans can be resilient and when it comes to vacations, canceling is a strict no. That’s why they’re gradually adapting to the changes in the industry by planning socially distant holidays. This has brought back the popularity of one of the earliest types of travel – using RVs and campers.

The Growth Of Camping In 2020

Covid-19 has helped change the views of travelers towards nature and outdoor experiences. A lot of people now feel that spending time outdoors is more important than ever, especially for kids. This is one of the reasons why they plan on taking their children camping, keeping safety concerns in mind.

Over the summer, the camping industry has exploded beyond what anyone had anticipated. According to the “Growth of Camping Amid Covid-19: A Fall 2020 Update,” 21% of leisure travelers took their first camping trip this summer once the lockdown restrictions were lifted.

This indicates that one-fourth of North American campers had their first camping experience just a few months into the Coronavirus pandemic. On the contrary, 42% state that they will be going ahead with their planned camping trips by the end of the year.

The figures suggest that not only has camping activity increased, but it’s also considered the safest type of travel. It allows the camper to explore and relax amidst nature’s bliss while limiting their exposure to the virus.

Seeing the switch in travel preferences, the boost in RV sales and rentals doesn’t come as a surprise. With campers willing to travel to less popular and secluded locations to avoid overcrowding, RV rentals have increased 650% this year.

In spite of their hefty price tags ranging between $10,000 and $300,000, RV manufacturers have seen a strong consumer growth over the last ten years. However, the recent surge of the Covid-19 has called for increased RV shipments to meet the overall demand in the nation.

So, it’s safe to say that the RV business and camping industry is flourishing and it will likely maintain its popularity even in 2021, or at least until a vaccine is widely available and the fear of boarding a flight or cruise ship disappears.

However, this begs the question, will the camping industry sustain its growth post the pandemic? Let’s find out.

The Longevity Of Camping Post Covid-19

Even after a vaccine comes into play, the impact of Covid-19 is bound to last through the years. Apprehensions among travelers will likely prevail even if it’s safe to travel again, and some leisure travelers will find it reasonable to have at least few safety measures in place to limit exposure.

The long-lasting effects of the virus provide scope for the camping industry to sustain its growth in the post Covid-19 world. That’s not all; seeing the significant growth of first-timers during 2020, 18% of these new campers are estimated to continue camping in the future.

Therefore, through proper planning and designing, the RV and camping industry can ensure its longevity post the pandemic. I strongly believe that manufacturers and designers should include private bathrooms to overcome the safety concerns of using communal facilities.

With apprehensions related to the cleanliness of accommodations or resorts, marketing your RV and camping rental company in the right direction can help in driving consumer interests.

In fact, even campground owners should limit the group size for each camping trip as campers wish to limit contact with other people. After all, relaxing amidst the serenity of nature can prove to be relaxing as well as safe.

Summing It Up

With the tourism industry coming to a standstill, RVs, tents, campers, and trailers gained immense traction. Instead of boarding flights and cruise ships, people are now hitting the open road for a more adventurous vacation, limiting their exposure to the Coronavirus.

That said, even after a vaccine is made available, this new-found love for camping should not cease to exist, and with proper planning and designing, the industry can ensure sustainability in the long-run.

Meta: Wondering what would be the ideal soil for your raised garden bed? We help you out with a list of the 13 top-notch options worth considering.

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Every gardener wishes to have the best quality soil for his or her plants.

As for traditional gardening, it is a matter of chance because you can only improve the ground soil but not change it completely. However, raised garden beds are separated from the ground soil, and hence, give you the opportunity to create the ideal soil for your plants.

But then, the obvious question which comes next is, what soil should you go for? After all, there are hundreds of options available, as with every other product out there today.

So, we help you out in making the right choice with this list of the 13 best soil for raised garden beds.

Read on to know more.

13 Best Soil for Raised Garden Bed

1. Wakefield Biochar Soil Conditioner

For achieving lush green leaves and beautiful blooms for all your plants, the soil plays a key role. To put it simply, healthy soil will make the plants “happier.” And applying this soil conditioner is one of the best ways of improving soil health. It is available in large packs of 25 pounds.

Standout Features

• Much better water retention
• Reduces need for chemical fertilizers
• Accelerates composting

Why Did We Like It?

Interestingly, this soil conditioner is made from soft pine wood and is not blended or mixed with any other substance. It is produced through a process known as soft pyrolysis and is composed of particles with a consistent size of 1mm to 2 mm.

Using this conditioner encourages beneficial microorganisms to thrive in the soil. This leads to an increase in the amount of nitrogen and other essential nutrients in the soil. Ultimately, this shows in the bigger and more abundant flowers and vegetables in your raised garden beds.

Added to this, Wakefield Biochar has a much better water retention capacity than peat moss and compost. Thus, it becomes all the more favorable for plants to flourish. It is also beneficial in neutralizing soil pH and improving seed germination. Apart from this, it has numerous other benefits and, as a result, ensures that your plants get the maximum nourishment and boost.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This superior quality conditioner works wonderfully to enrich your raised garden beds. However, it may attract the nutrients in the soil and lock them up for a long period. This problem can be dealt with by preconditioning the biochar before dropping it in your soil. We felt this step should have been mentioned in the instructions for application.

Pros:

• Provides drought resistance
• Encourages beneficial microbes
• Neutralizes soil pH
• Helps to absorb nitrogen

Cons:

• Absorbs and locks nutrients up for a long time

2. Kenzoplants Professional Grower Mix

This premixed potting soil is an ideal choice for raised garden beds and makes growing ornamental plants quite easy. It is loved both by amateur gardeners and professional growers. You can get this soil mix in 2-quart, 4-quart, and 8-quart bags.

Standout Features

• Fast draining and lightweight
• Ready to use
• Helps in growing beautiful succulents

Why Did We LIke It?

Growing ornamental plants in your garden helps to enhance its beauty, but such plants may not grow in the desired way when planted on general soil blends. This soil mix from Kenzoplants is examined in their farm among thousands of beautiful cactus, succulents and other container plants. As such, all these plants flourish in this soil better than most general blends.

Plus, this soil mix helps in maintaining the right amount of moisture in ornamental plants. While the special formula helps extra water to flow out, it keeps the necessary moisture for their growth. As a result, drought loving succulents, cactus, and other plants receive exactly the perfect moisture that they need.

Also, this soil comes in a pre-mixed form, so that you can put it on your raised garden beds right away! After that, you just have to plant your desired plants and water them when the soil turns completely dry. And you can be sure that this soil will feed your plants up to a few months.

Furthermore, to ensure easy handling and storage for home or personal indoor container plants, the soil comes in zip-lock resealable packs.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This soil does allow you to grow beautiful ornamental plants with ease. However, each pack contains a much lower amount of soil than its size. In fact, the quantity is about half the size of the pack. As such, it becomes a tad more expensive than other options.

Pros:

• Maintains right amount of moisture in plants
• Suitable for growing cactus plants
• Comes in zip-lock resealable packs
• Feeds plants up to a few months

Cons:

• Amount of soil much lower than pack size

3. Burpee Organic Premium Potting Mix

Growing vibrant flowers or delicious healthy vegetables in raised garden beds is made most convenient and effective by this soil mix from Burpee. Also, this mix is further enriched with Burpee plant food for providing adequate nutrition to the plants. It is available in packs of 8 quarts, 16 quarts, 24 quarts, 32 quarts, and 40 quarts.

Standout Features

• Perfect for raised bed gardening
• Formulated with coconut choir
• Enriched Burpee plant food

Why Did We Like It?

An ideal soil will provide your plants with all essential nutrients at the correct time and in a steady manner. And the soil mix from Burpee perfectly meets this requirement by feeding the plants instantly and providing a slow-release food for them. In fact, it ensures that the food is available for the plants for 3 months.

Notably, this mix is formulated with coconut coir which helps to maintain moisture between watering sessions for vegetables and flowers. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t get the time to prepare a compost or isn’t able to water the plants regularly, this product will be quite cost-effective.

Moreover, it is a renewable and sustainable resource and hence is completely safe for use. OMRI has also listed this mix as a standard product for organic gardening.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Although this product really works well in producing fruits and vegetables of improved quality, it was infested with gnats for quite some time. In our case, the insects started appearing after quite a few days and hovered over the spot for a month. Strong insecticide sprays may have to be used to keep the gnats away.

Pros:

• Feeds plants instantly
• Feeds upto 3 months
• Helps maintain moisture between waterings
• OMRI listed for organic use

Cons:

• May be infested with gnats

4. Compressed Organic Potting-Soil for Garden & Plants

This concentrated superior quality soil from Organic Plant Magic feeds your plants for several months and can make them grow up to 3 times bigger. It is an organic and biodegradable product and can either be used alone or mixed with the base-soil in garden beds. You will get this soil in a pack of about 2.23 lbs.

Standout Features

• Little soil does a lot
• Makes plants grow upto 6 times bigger
• Non-toxic tonic

Why Did We Like It?

If you have quite a few raised garden beds to manage, carrying around heavy bags of soil can be tiring. But this compressed and lightweight organic soil has a unique property that rules out any such possibilities.

It can be expanded upto 7 times its original volume by adding water. As such, the soil doesn’t have to bear much load for growing big plants and you can also save vital shed space.

Besides, this product is also fit for both professional and home gardening purposes. It nourishes roots of the plant thoroughly by providing a variety of nutrients and abundant oxygen. This way, it becomes a haven of perfect nutrition for the hungry roots.

Furthermore, the soil is completely non-toxic in nature as it consists of all-natural ingredients including beneficial bacteria, natural coconut coir and worm castings. All these components give a further boost to the plants and garden bed soil.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Although this soil appeared to be quite fine as it made our plants healthy and happy, we found it a bit too overpriced. A 10 lb bag of compressed coco coir which is equally effective comes in a lesser price than this soil pack. And this bag also gives you much more soil mix than the organic compressed soil.

Pros:

• Can expand upto 7 times
• Nourishes roots of plants thoroughly
• Non-toxic soil tonic
• Saves vital shed space

Cons:

• Is a bit too overpriced

5. FoxFarm Ocean Forest FX14000

Our next pick for you is this potting soil from FoxFarm which provides your plants with all that they need in one big bag. Each bag of the product contains 38.6 quarts of soil for all your hungry plants. You can also purchase a pack of 2 from online shopping sites.

Standout Features

• Blend of variety of organic ingredients
• Contains everything that the plants need
• Soil is pH adjusted

Why Did We Like It?

Many soils and fertilizers provide plants with inadequate nutrients and as a result, some parts of the plants end up being weaker than the others. However, this product is one of those few that nourishes all parts of the plant equally, resulting in strong branches and a healthy and sturdy growth habit.

So, going for this blend product will be much more effective than just applying nitrogen fertilizers to the soil. Notably, it is a powerhouse blend of organic ingredients such as sea-going fish and crab meal, moss, earthworm castings, forest humus, and bat guano. Besides, it also consists of sphagnum and sandy load that lends an aerate and light texture.

And that’s not all. The pH of this soil blend is adjusted to a level between 6.3 and 6.8, which allows for an optimum uptake of fertilizer.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This product does a great job in making the soil perfectly fit for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, at times you may get a pungent smelling soil pack delivered if you are purchasing the product online. The smell is similar to that of a strong pesticide spray. So, be sure to check the product carefully at the time of its arrival.

Pros:

• Nourishes all parts of the plant equally
• Aerate and light texture
• Allows for optimum fertilizer uptake
• Comes in 38.6 quarts pack

Cons:

• May produce a pungent smell

6. EasyGoProducts Vermiculite

This non-toxic, odorless, and sterile product is the most popular grade of Vermiculite. It comes in a large-sized pack of 120 quarts unlike many other fertilizers which are sold in 8-quart packs. Hence, it provides you more value for money.

Standout Features

• Grade-3 Vermiculite
• Wonderful incubator
• Has alkaline pH

Why Did We Like It?

What we loved the most about this product was how it acted as a superb incubator for many varieties of plants. Germinating seeds get the ideal care and nourishment in this soil. Gradually, they develop into big, healthy plants that provide delicious fruits and vegetables.

Notably, this soil mix helps in faster growth of the plants’ roots and is also great for hydroponic and greenhouse growing environments. Besides, this soil mix even holds nutrients and moisture compactly, so as to leave area for air circulation.

Maintaining the pH level of the soil is another very important factor for facilitating the right development of all your plants. Soils with different pH levels have their own sets of benefits. As for this product, it has a naturally occurring alkaline pH which keeps the soil healthy by preventing any fungal growth.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Although the product performs quite well, the texture of the soil mix in packs from different product batches may vary. Generally, the product is available in the form of coarse granules, but at times you might receive a Vermiculite which is as fine as sand. So, do check the package at the time of arrival if you purchase the product online.

Pros:

• Helps in producing delicious fruits and vegetables
• Aids in faster growth of roots
• Prevents fungal growth in the soil
• Gives value for your money

Cons:

• Texture is not consistent

7. Minute Soil – Compressed Coco Coir Fiber Grow Medium

Mountain Valley Seed Company is a trusted name among consumers for having produced high-quality agricultural products. If you are searching for truly efficient soil for your raised garden beds, this wheelbarrow soil block from the brand is another great option to go for.

Standout Features

• Is basically coconut coir
• Convenient to use
• Promotes better growth

Why Did We Like It?

Coconut coir is generally used as an ingredient in soil mixes, but in this case, it makes up the whole product! Its pure and fibrous untreated form is compressed into light blocks or discs that expand into an immensely effective growing medium on adding water.

Interestingly, these blocks are compact and lightweight and also don’t take much time to rehydrate. As such, transferring and rehydrating the soil in urban gardens becomes super easy.

Even growing lush microgreens on raised garden beds is very simple. That’s because the light, nutritious and water-retaining properties of the soil make for a perfect environment for them to thrive.

Furthermore, you can also use minute soil to transplant your seedlings into the ground or into pots. All in all, this soil mix is an extremely versatile one to go for as it helps you grow herbs, wheatgrass, vegetables, flowers, house plants and more.

What Could’ve Been better?

Although this product provides a perfect growing environment for plants, we found that it doesn’t work well when mixed with peat moss. After the mixing is over, the coconut coir can sometimes start molding. Luckily enough, the peat doesn’t catch the mold so it can be dealt with. If the top or bottom of the soil is covered by peat, it stays perfectly fine.

Pros:

• Compressed into lightweight blocks or discs
• Rehydrates quite quickly
• Versatile quality
• Coconut coir is pure and untreated

Cons:

• Doesn’t work well with peat moss

8. Espoma Company (VFGS1) Organic Vegetable and Flower Soil

The next pick we have for you is this premium quality soil blend from Espoma. Made using all natural and organic ingredients, this product comes in a 1 pound pack. Each of these packs can be used to cover one cubic feet of garden area.

Standout Features

• Enhanced with Myco-Tone
• All-natural and organic
• Loosens heavy soil

Why Did We Like It?

This product comprises a variety of beneficial components. First of all, it is enhanced with Myco-tone which is Espoma’s proprietary mix containing 11 strains of ecto and endo mycorrhizae. These act as excellent agents for supplying the plants all essential nutrients and also help in strengthening the soil.

Among the other vital ingredients are peat humus, earthworm castings, and sphagnum peat moss. If your garden bed soil is heavy, these components would help in loosening it considerably. Also, the mix is formulated to provide the perfect growth to plants in shady areas.

Moreover, this product being totally organic, you can rule out any possibility of plants being affected or soils being contaminated. It also makes for a favorable growing environment for the plants as they can absorb the nutrients more easily.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Although we were really satisfied with the results that the product gave, we found that it was packaged properly. The box which contained the soil pack came open and the application instructions mentioned in the package were also not fully clear. So, make sure you check the packaging when the product arrives.

Pros:

• Help in strengthening soil
• Safe for use
• Formulated especially for shady areas
• Covers one cubic feet of garden area

Cons:

• Faulty packaging and instructions not clear

9. Miracle-Gro Raised Bed Soil

This organic product from Miracle-Gro is specially designed for nourishing raised garden beds. You are sure to get bigger and more bountiful plants by using this soil mix which comes in a pack of 25.3 lbs. Made from natural ingredients, it is safe to use and is listed by OMRI as a standard product for use in organic gardening.

Standout Features

• 100% organic mix
• Improves fertility of raised garden beds
• For vegetables, flowers, and herbs

Why Did We Like It?

You can grow your own bounty in the backyard through properly maintained raised garden beds. But your beds must get the right foundation for the plants to thrive. As such, using this raised bed soil from Miracle Gro will provide you with just what your plants need.

This pre-mixed blend of organic ingredients can be added directly to the raised bed to grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruits. And besides providing the essential nutrients that you can count on, this product also simplifies pest control and improves water drainage.

Applying this raised bed soil just requires three simple steps. Firstly, you have to fill your garden bed with the product and spread it uniformly all over the bed. After that, just plant your new seeds or plants in there. Finally, water the bed carefully to moisten the surrounding soil. You may also add mulch after the watering is complete.

What Could’ve Been Better?

We found this product to be very beneficial for all plants on our raised garden beds. However, while applying the raised bed soil we recovered large rocks and wood chips from the mix. If you intend to grow vegetables like carrots, these materials may interfere with the growth of the roots. So, a tip would be to check the soil thoroughly when it arrives.

Pros:

• Provides the right foundation
• Simplifies pest control
• Improves water drainage
• Easy to apply

Cons:

• Soil may contain large rocks and wood chips

10. Sun Gro SUGRBG2 13020402 Black Gold Natural and Organic Soil

This soil mix is another premium quality choice for all kinds of gardening applications. As such, it is also highly suitable for use in raised garden beds. Each pack of the product covers 2 cubic feet of garden area and can be purchased in groups of 3 or 4 packs.

Standout Features

• Rich, loamy mix
• Fully organic base
• Useful for all gardening purposes

Why Did We Like It?

What we liked the most about this product was its fully organic base, which kept the roots healthy and as such allowed them to grow in the proper way. What constituted the base was a combination of Canadian sphagnum peat moss and screened earthworm castings. Also, it has an N-P-K rating of 0.05-0.0-0.0, which signifies that all its contents are primarily nitrogenous.

Notably, it is the rich and loamy nature of this soil mix that makes it suitable for all gardening purposes. Besides, blending this mix with pumice and perlite provides optimum aeration to the soil, which in turn ensures sturdy growth of the plants.

Morvoer, this product is also reinforced with fertilizer which helps the plants to flourish and produce abundant fruits and vegetables.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This product provided our half-fed plants with adequate nutrition to make them much healthier than before. However, we found some fungus gnats on the soil initially, and had to purchase some mosquito repellent bits and sprinkle them in there. This way, we could deal with the problem and the gnats also didn’t come back.

Pros:

• Reinforced with fertilizer
• All contents are mainly nitrogenous
• Helps in providing optimum aeration to the soil
• Makes roots healthier

Cons:

• May be infested with fungus gnats initially

11. Michigan Peat 1225 Baccto Premium Potting Soil

Another great option to go for is this potting soil produced by Michigan Peat. It consists of a unique blend of organic nutrients and comes in a pack of 25 pounds. Note that it is a general purpose soil that can be applied to all raised garden beds, potted plants, bulbs and outdoor and indoor container plants.

Standout Features

• Unique and advanced blend of organic nutrients
• Comes in 25 lb bag
• Ready to use

Why Did We Like It?

We didn’t require any mixing or other preparations for applying the product. All we had to do was take it out of the bag and apply it uniformly on the raised garden bed. This is a great advantage in comparison to those products which have to be mixed with other materials such as peat moss to enhance their quality.

Importantly, this soil mix contains a unique blend of perlite, sand and rich dark reed sedge peat. When combined together, these nutrients provide the ideal growing environment to all plants on raised garden beds.

And that’s not all; this product features some high-quality starter and slow-release fertilizers which provide adequate nutrition to the plants for a prolonged period. Overall, this Baccto potting soil offers complete nourishment to all plants in your raised garden beds.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This product performs quite well in enhancing the soil quality. However, sometimes the pack might arrive with insects that can kill some plants in the worst cases. So, do check the soil properly when the package arrives and report the manufacturer if you find any insects.

Pros:

• Provides ideal growing environment to plants
• Features high-quality slow-release fertilizers
• Contains perlite, sand, and dark reed sedge peat
• No mixing required before application

Cons:

• Might contain insects sometimes

12. BirchSeed Soils Natural Sphagnum Peat Moss

Sphagnum peat moss is immensely beneficial for plants since it is a natural source of a variety of nutrients which they need. This product from BirchSeed Soils is purely organic sphagnum peat moss itself and comes in a 1-quart bag which has dimensions of 6” x 9”.

Standout Features

• Promotes exceptional soil quality
• Perfect for carnivorous plants
• Sterile planting medium

Why Did We Like It?

Maintaining the soil quality of a raised garden bed is one of the biggest challenges involved in raised soil gardening. But this is made effortless, thanks to the various beneficial features of the BirchSeed Natural Sphagnum Peat Moss. It helps to retain proper moisture in the soil, promote aeration, and prevent compaction of the soil.

Besides, this substance works as an efficient medium for seed germination, since it is homogenous and provides the seedbed with adequate moisture. Apart from all these benefits, this soil mix also makes for a sterile planting medium since it does not contain any weed seeds or harmful pathogens.

It is also sterile nature that makes the mix ideal for starting germination. In fact, most seed starting mixes you that will find in the market contain peat moss.

Furthermore, the great moisture retaining capacity of peat moss reduces the need for frequent watering.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This product is immensely effective in both growing new plants and maintaining the existing ones. Though, the quantity in one bag is not enough even for one slightly bigger plant. As such, this becomes more costly than many other products.

Pros:

• Great moisture retaining capacity
• Ideal medium for seed germination
• Prevents compaction of the soil
• Promotes aeration

Cons:

• More costly option

13. Dr. Earth Mother Land All Purpose Planting Mix

Dr Earth develops quality soil products from thousands of tons of green materials every year, and is also one of the most popular brands in the agriculture industry. The brand’s all purpose planting mix is another such superior quality product and comes in a pack of 12 pounds. It can be used in carrying out many planting projects in the garden.

Standout Features

• Contains soil microbes and mycorrhizae
• Excellent for use in raised garden beds
• Hand crafted

Why Did We Like It?

This All Purpose Planting Mix contains aids in creating the perfect soil condition to improve the health of all the plants. Plus, it promotes vigor in the plants which is visible in the form of vibrant flowers and abundant fruits and vegetables.

As such it can be used as an amendment for all raised garden beds. You can use it for planting shrubs, flowering plants, vegetables, fruits and even bare roots. And that’s not all. It also helps in breaking thick and heavy clay soil that may not be a suitable growing environment for many plants.

Notably, this product is handcrafted with quality organic ingredients and is therefore devoid of any chemicals that might have harmful effects. Also, besides containing all necessary nutrients, the mix is also enriched with beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizae.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Although the product is really effective for growing and maintaining almost all kinds of plants, at times it may be infested with gnats. If not controlled at the start, this infestation may turn serious over time. Hence, make sure you apply an insect repellent spray right after you observe this issue.

Pros:

• Creates perfect soil condition
• Promotes vigor in plants
• Helps in breaking clay soil
• Also used as an amendment

Cons:

• Infestation by gnats

Buyer’s Guide

Creating the perfect growing environment for your plants is not a difficult task if you flow the right approach. And selecting the right fertilizer plays a crucial role in the development of a fertile and secure raised garden bed for your plants.

Hence purchasing a fertilizer hastily without considering your needs and preferences can be detrimental to your plants’ health. Here are some of the important points you need to keep in mind before moving on to purchase a suitable fertilizer.

1. The Type of Plant

Before purchasing a soil mix, there must not be any confusion about what you want to grow on your raised garden beds. There are several plants which need a different growing environment than the other in order to flourish.

 As such, the soil you are choosing must contain all the necessary components needed to provide the kind of environment your plants need. For instance, growing acid-loving plants will require a different soil than a plant which loves a more alkaline pH level.

2. The Climate

Considering the weather conditions is also important for choosing a suitable soil for your raised garden beds. For instance, if the place where you live has dry weather, you might require adding soil that has a good mixture retaining capacity. On the other hand, a place which receives a good amount of rain would need soil which enables efficient water drainage.

So while you go through the details of a product, ensure that you check for its water retention or water drainage properties accordingly. In case the information is not mentioned, you should enquire from the manufacturer about it.

3. The Quantity Needed

You must have a perfect balance of the soil for creating the right growing environment for your plants. While excessive soil may run over and get wasted, inadequate soil would harm plant growth.

Notably, the amount of soil you require will depend upon the plants’ root depth and the height of your garden bed. The standard height of a raised garden bed is around 11” and ensures that there is ample room to drain properly. For this height, you will need around a foot of gardening soil. And this amount increases with increase in the area (in terms of square feet) of your garden bed.

Be sure to check the weight of one soil mix pack for each product to understand the number of packs you will require for your garden bed.

Verdict

With this, we come to the end of this guide and we hope it will be easier for you to choose soil for your raised garden bed now.

Before we sign off, we would like to recap our favorites from the list. The Burpee Organic Premium Potting Mix will be an ideal choice for somebody searching for a high-performing product which is also cost-effective.

But, if you are ready to spend a bit more for purchasing a reliable product, the Minute Soil Compressed Coco Coir will be a great option to go for. On the other hand, if you want a product that is meant especially for raised garden beds, you can choose the Miracle Gro Raised bed Soil.

Let us know whether you agree with our verdict in the comments section below.

Till we meet again!