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Mediterranean Raised Bed
I’d welcome some advice on soil mix ratios.
I’ve built a raised bed 6x2x0.4 metres, out of thick timber railway style sleepers. It is sitting on native soil in a south facing very sheltered part of the garden. There’s 2 metre fences all around and a dense woodland behind. I’m in the north west so it can rain a lot !!
I’d like to do a Mediterranean style area if I can with a couple of olive trees, under planted with agapanthus, glauca festuca, lavender and a few buxus balls.
What soil mixture would you suggest?
I was thinking 1/3 screened top soil; 1/3 peat based compost and the balance a mixture of sharp sand, pea gravel and leaf mould. Does this seem right?
I know it needs to be well drained but I’m new to this and don’t want it to dry out too quickly.
All advice appreciated 😀
I’ve built a raised bed 6x2x0.4 metres, out of thick timber railway style sleepers. It is sitting on native soil in a south facing very sheltered part of the garden. There’s 2 metre fences all around and a dense woodland behind. I’m in the north west so it can rain a lot !!
I’d like to do a Mediterranean style area if I can with a couple of olive trees, under planted with agapanthus, glauca festuca, lavender and a few buxus balls.
What soil mixture would you suggest?
I was thinking 1/3 screened top soil; 1/3 peat based compost and the balance a mixture of sharp sand, pea gravel and leaf mould. Does this seem right?
I know it needs to be well drained but I’m new to this and don’t want it to dry out too quickly.
All advice appreciated 😀
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..this was my dry garden, as it's called nowadays... just garden soil with loads of rubble in it, stones, lots of gravel, and absolutely nothing with any richness... I could have planted olive shrubs but they were not for me.. best of luck..
I’ve already got enough top soil to fill about 40% and maybe another 15% compost so if I do the rest with pea gravel and sharp sand that should be ok shouldn’t it?
The drainage of the soil below is very good. I’ve tested in a few places and a 1x1x1’ hole filled with water drains in under 90 mins.
The leafmould was kind of by accident! There are tall beech, ash and birch trees at the back of the house (to the north of the raised bed).
In October I gathered up all the leaves in the garden and put them in the bed. Must be a couple of inches at least 😂