Filling a raised bed (Merged)

Jumps

Hi, another newbie to gardening here. I have just built a raised bed and I am not sure whether to fill it with compost or topsoil or anything else. I think that it is going to take a lot to fill and I want to keep the costs as low as possible (the bed is 7' by 4'). I am looking to plant various veggies in it. Thanks

olly300

I've just googled and found you these links to read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/projects/patio_raisedbed.shtml

http://www.allotments-uk.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3898

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1202/raised_beds.asp

charlies82

Hi everyone!

I've been watching this forum for ages and now have become addicted to gardening! especially veg growing.

I have a few questions though if you lovely people could help me with your hints and tips.

My raised bed will be arriving soon, i just want to know what soil/compost mix i fill it with? how long should i leave this to rest before planting/sowing seed?

and if anyone has any tips on companion planting? or any other helpful advice.

Sorry for all the questions i just want to get this right!
my raised bed is 4ft by 4ft (i'm also trying to follow the square foot gardening).

I also have Lettuce, Toms, cucumber, peppers, and a few herbs growing in containers on my patio.

I will get some pictures on when i'm up and running!

Thank You all in advance

nozzy6

I was just going to ask the same questions so I'll be following this thread closely!

robnye

you coul dtry sowing seeds in containers, then transplant then into the raised bed when abpprox 2/3 inches tall (depending on what they are)

FROSTYFRECKLE

Hi,

If you google "square foot gardening" and "no-dig gardens" you will find loads of info on raised beds. I prefer square foot gardening and used the mixtures recommended and beds are coming on a treat. Square foot gardening is an American site, no-dig gardening is Australian, and I am Scottish.

Oops, just seen you know about square foot gardening.

For companion planting I use the info from the RHS website.

arkonite_babe

We have a thread similar to this already, I'll add your query to it so all the replies are together. Posts are listed in date order so you'll need to read from the beginning to catch up

charlies82

thanks, i have been looking at the website for square foot gardening! will follow his mix, also do i prepare the ground before filling with the mix or just fill with the mix??
my soil is also clay soil, i read somewhere that this contains alot of nutrients, so was really wondering if it was in my best interest to turn the soil for the raised bed.

Davesnave

I would turn it so that there isn't a sudden change between your mix and the underlying soil, otherwise it might act like a barrier ifg already compacted. Clay soil does contain good nutrient levels and will stay accessible to roots if buried and therefore moist.

There's a world of difference between some clay 'soils' though. In parts of my garden, notably the front, I had what was really sub-soil about 8 cm down. Nothing would root into that, as there was no air in it. In the end, I dug it all out. So, when you say 'soil' I presume you mean something workable, which has been growing decent plants.

Zazen999

If you want to keep the costs down; remember that if you use the soil that is at the bottom of the raised bed - and dig it over; it increases in size as you have added some air. You can bulk it up cheaply by mixing in shredded paper or cardboard. Then, you can just put a smaller amount of shop bought compost [get it as cheaply as possible] or just use your own garden soil.

ronald208

My daughter has just moved into a new build house and the garden soil is heavy compacted clay and bulders rubble so I suggested raised beds. The area for veg growing will be 2 beds about 1 metre by 2 metres. Would multipurpose compost as sold by B&Q or supermarkets be suitable for filling them?
Ron