Raised beds

Hi all you busy gardeners!
The raised beds are finally made, the seeds and strawberry plants are ordered but I have a problem with the choice of top soil. Obviously I want it from a green field site and screened but should I opt for just soil or a 50/50 mix with their own "soil conditioner"? There's no difference in price.
Help me please before I scratch out all my hair!!!

 

Not usre I know the answer, but a couple of thoughts.

Your raised beds need some compost - manure, compost, spent hops, something like that.

If you are planning to add that anyway then I expect that buying "just top soil" will do, if not then the added Soil Conditioner will, I assume, perform the role of the Compost in the first year. It might be composted green-bin waste, or somesuch.

 

Hi,

For what it is worth and from past experienced, you are worrying too much.

In an ideal situation I would layer the bottom of the bed with WELL ROTTED manure or leaf mould or WELL ROTTED home made garden compost, topped by quite a few bags of cheap Multipurpose Compost.

When this has been topped with your Top Soil turn it over lightly with a fork, water with a fine spray, then plant.

On the other hand, quick and easy, just put in the top soil and cover with a layer of cheap Multipurpose Compost and hoe it in to the Top Soil.

Regards

Drew

 

Although "cheap Multi-purpose Compost" might be more expensive than the 50:50 top soil and conditioner?

 

I've gone for a 3:2 mix of soil and conditioner. Now it's the hard slog barrowing it from the front to the back garden. Estimated number of 150 yard trips..........100!!!! (Phew! That's 15 km!!) These beds had better be successful........

 

Good luck with them, i love my raised beds, and make sure you post some pics too, ok.

 

Think what you have saved in Gym membership!

 

Hi viettaclark. Out of interest, how many raised beds do you have, and what size are they ? Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi! 3 beds, 8'x4', 10'x3', and an"L" shape 14'x4' +6'x4' all 18" deep Don't worry...I've done the maths right for the volume!!!

 

Sounds great to me!

 

Lol our 8 x 4 raised beds took a great many barrow loads to fill them, I hope your barrow wheels are well oiled ours squeaked like mad and drove us crazy!:hehe: Hel.xxx.

 

This is going to be a MILITARY OPERATION! The teenagers have been bribed and I've borrowed 3 wheelbarrows. I shall shovel.The husband has oil on stand-by. They can do the walking!!!
By my reckoning....5 mins. per trip (min) should take.....ermmm......10 hours of non-stop barrowing.......WHOOPEE!!!

 

Hi. 18 inches deep, sounds a lot. Any particular reason why you wanted them so deep ? Cheers...freddy.