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how to rejuvenate a raised bed

adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
in Plants
I am helping my elderly mother replan her garden. She has two very narrow raised beds - about 50-60cm tall, around the edge of her patio, and it is now chockablock with unwanted plants such as daylilies and what have you, all of which are very congested.  We are taking almost everything out and replanting.  What should we do with the planting medium?  I was thinking a good foot or so should be removed, and new stuff put in as I imagine there isnt much nutrition there, and if people agree that's a good idea I wondered if I should arrange for mainly topsoil with some MPC or soil improver mixed in?  We are going to grow largely small evergreen plants/shrubs. Maybe I dont need to take that amount of soil out?  Thoughts?  Thanks everyone

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I think you have the right idea.
    I think I'd use rotted farmyard manure rather than MPC - it'll add organic matter and life without adding too much in the way of nutrients.If it gets sun in the summer it may dry out quite fast if it's a narrow bed.
    Alternatively if it may get waterlogged then add a load of grit to the mix.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    edited September 2023
    There's no need or use to remove soil, it's an ecosystem, not a disposable product.
    If you can find some local well rotted manure - often available for free - ask via local social media, then adding a layer of that would be ideal.
    If you can't find any, then topsoil, soil improver, leafmould, community compost or garden compost would be helpful.
    Soil improver, ideally from a community or local municipal scheme would be my third choice.
    Scraping into a weak 4th place would be MPC...

    Of course all of this depends on what it is your mother would like to grow there...
  • adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
    many thanks to you both - roger all of that! 

  • tigerburnietigerburnie Posts: 131
    Adding organic material that is well rotted is perfect, or we used to add spent mushroom compost, what ever happened to that, not seen any for decades?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    tigerburnie said:
    Adding organic material that is well rotted is perfect, or we used to add spent mushroom compost, what ever happened to that, not seen any for decades?
    I often get a load of spent mushroom compost to spread in autumn/spring.
    I bulk buy from -
    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/compost/mushroomcompost
    It's full of rotted straw so great for adding organic matter.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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