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New raised planters - compost question ...

muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
in Fruit & veg
I am in the process of setting up 4 double height raised wooden planters for veg for next year. I have completed 1 and filled it with a mixture of soil/compost/manure but I am now wondering whether I’m being a bit daft adding compost at this time as the nutrients will have washed out by spring .. any thoughts on this ? I have covered the finished planter with black pond liner to stifle weed growth, whether that will also help retain nutrients I don’t know ....

Posts

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Can we have a picture.I don't see why you would get weeds growing in a raised planter. Why do you want to fill them,if you're not going to plant them up over winter?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    For veg @Nanny Beach   :)
    You wouldn't really need to cover them, but it will stop any weed seeds coming in from outside. It won't do anything regarding holding onto nutrients. 
    It's a bit of a waste adding fresh compost, but if you want to have them filled, it'll certainly do that job. They'd need lined to help prevent the wood rotting, but it also helps retain moisture. Raised beds of any kind are freer draining than beds or borders in the ground. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Mike said he was filling it up for next year.
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    I don’t have a picture atm. Well I’ve started filling them as I have 4 to do and because I thought it would be good to get the manure in so it can break down over the winter months. Covering with black plastic was a suggestion from the rhs site - I assumed that they would be offering good advice on raised planters .. as I said my question was about washing out nutrients in the compost really as the bags always say that it feeds for about 4 months ..


  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    I have lined the beds and they’ve also had 2 coats of wood stain fairy girl 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good stuff  :)
    When there's no plants, the nutrients won't really get used in the same way they would when planted up, but they can possibly get washed out.
    You'll find the level all settles anyway, so you'd need to add more in spring for your veg. 

    Weeds would use it so the plastic would certainly help prevent that as it would stop them seeding in if your conditions are suitable enough [ie warmer]  for that.   
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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