I was just wondering what I should make sure not to put in my enclosure that could harm my tortoises in anyway? I know not to put in poisenous plants, but for example is it bad to put certain soils in or any certain substrates? I Know not to have any high drops, sharp objects, etc.

No substrates that contain chemicals like plant food or bug killers, None with pine or conifer, I use Aspen or yard dirt with sand mixed in, Bed a beast with sand mixed in. Like a 50/50 or 70 30 mixture is fine. You can also use cypress. You can make different areas that have different substrates in the same enclosure. If you have a hatchling make sure it's hide is not near water or the heat lamp as they often climb and turn themselves over and some can't right themselves. Square hides prevent this.

yeah I planned on having an area of grass, rocks(big enough so they don't eat), plants(food), some sort of substrate for them to dig in, hay, and whatever else I can think of to make the enclosure interesting

one quick question, what grass do people usually plant for their tortoises?

If I remember right you have Russians. Tall fecue, Blue Fescue bull grass. check out Stells outside pens this may give you some ideas. http://tortoiseforum.org/a-bit-confused-s-t-2319.html

thank you very much, what soil would you suggest for the plants and grass?

For my rts I use bed a beast or eco earth and mix it with play sand.
Ive grown chia seeds in it and it worked out great.Holds the moisture.

I've use a blend of bed a beast or eco earth (coco coir) clean yard dirt and sand.

how much sand would you mix in with the bed a beast or coconut fiber? And what exactly is clean yard dirt? sorry I'm only 16 and have never done any kind of gardening so I may seem stupid lol... First enclosure outside and don't want to screw anything up...

how much sand would you mix in with the bed a beast or coconut fiber? And what exactly is clean yard dirt? sorry I'm only 16 and have never done any kind of gardening so I may seem stupid lol... First enclosure outside and don't want to screw anything up...

If you are making an outdoor enclosure why would you need to add any "imported" substrate? Isn't the ground suitable to house a tortoise? I have not imported anything into my outdoor enclosures. All the turtles and tortoises live on the dirt that occurs here naturally. I did re-hab the Russian pen last year and added several bags of top soil that I bought at a garden shop. I'm really sorry that I did that because it won't harden. It stays really soft and fluffy and any walking either by me or the tortoises, digs it up. So this winter, after everyone is hibernating, I'm going to have to rent a rototiller and till all that top soil down into the existing dirt.

Yvonne

You mentioned one of your previous posts the your soil gets mucky. I would suggest mixing play sand into soil till it drains well. A mucky substrat would not be good for a russian. How large is your enclosure?