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Filling raised beds for veggies

jools.middlejools.middle Posts: 3
in The potting shed
I have just built 3 large raised beds and want to fill immediately to start growing asap.  I have plenty of soil but it is very heavy clay.  I was wondering if I could put clay in the bottom, then add a good deep layer of horse manure, and top up with my clay soil mixed with some bagged compost.  Getting bulk compost delivered into my area is very very expensive.  I’ve read that the manure should be spead on top of the bed in autumn and left over winter but keen to get growing now.  

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  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I would mix in equal quantities of well-rotted manure and compost into the clay soil, so you have an even, consistent mix for the roots to grow through, rather than roots hitting a layer of pure manure or clay. To a ratio of approx 2 parts soil to 1 part added material. If you are growing carrots, or indeed onions (which are often grown together) don’t add manure to that bed as carrots hate it and onions don’t need it. If you need a finer layer on top for direct sowing tiny seeds, you could mix in some additional compost to the top 10cm. My veg grow fine in clay amended with organic material as above.

    As you need to rotate groups of veg from one bed to the next every year, don’t add manure to the bed where carrots will be growing subsequently.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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