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Filling raised beds

chriscammack1969chriscammack1969 Posts: 2
in The potting shed
We have just built ourselves a number of raised beds. What is best to fill the raised beds with? I have read where a mix of topsoil and well rotted compost will do? Any advice, please?

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I had some raised beds made 3 years ago.
    I filled them with 25 ton topsoil and 5 ton well rotted manure.
    The beds are productive, but I wish I'd added a bit less topsoil and a bit more manure as the soil is still pretty 'dense'.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    I suppose it depends on what type of plants you intend growing?

    However, most plants like good drainage. So how about topsoil, some well rotted manure and plnty of grit.

  • chriscammack1969chriscammack1969 Posts: 2
    young codger said:
    I suppose it depends on what type of plants you intend growing?

    However, most plants like good drainage. So how about topsoil, some well rotted manure and plnty of grit.

    Good point. We're planning to grow fruit and veg. Thanks
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I would say you don't want the drainage too good as it will dry out faster. I also filled a raised bed last year and did a mix of compost, top soil, grit and manure. It dries out much faster than the regular ground beds.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I did top soil and manure and covered it with Multi Purpose compost to keep the weeds down.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I used a thick layer of wood chip as a water saving mulch.
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