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Topping up established raised beds

SteveravensSteveravens Posts: 12
in Problem solving
I put in some raised sleeper beds a few years ago and the soil has compacted and settled so that the surface is now about 15cm lower than it should be. The plants have settled to that level and are all healthy, but I want to top the beds up. For the majority of the plants I can dig them out and replant them, but there are a couple of bigger plants (a large Montana clematis and a climbing jasmine) that are more difficult. For those plants, would it be ok to just leave them in situ and top up around them? Secondly, should I use a mix of topsoil and compost or just topsoil? Presumably if I just use compost I'll have the same issue in a few years time? Many thanks in advance.

Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    edited February 2021
    Its not the easiest question to answer . If you just use compost it will sink down again in the years to come but top soil shouldn't . You probably get away with the clematis not sure about the jasmine but its not something I'd advise doing, you could potentially suffocate the Clematis and Jasmine , If you insist on topping the bed up I would use compost its much less chance of damaging the clematis and jasmine it up to you if its worth the risk of the top soil. 
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    I think this happens with all raised beds. It helps to put on a thick mulch every year, this can be manure, your own compost or bought soil improver or just the multi purpose stuff.
    If your areas aren't huge go for digging the plants up if you can and use a soil mix.

    I use this company as they do bags as well as bulk bags. 
    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/
    The advice on raising soil around a tree is by no more than 5cm a year maybe the same follows for your Jasmine. You could make a circle of bricks or stones around it and gradually raise the level inside.
  • SteveravensSteveravens Posts: 12
    Hi @Perki and @K67. That's very helpful. I'm glad I asked. I'll probably try digging up and replanting most of them and try the gradual build around the jasmine and clematis. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
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