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Raised beds

judeliddle2judeliddle2 Posts: 1
in Fruit & veg

I'm installing some new raised veggie beds. Should I fill them with just new top soil, or should I add compost, or sand for drainage? If I should mix with other materials, then what ratio should I use.

thanks for helping me!

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    You can put soil in them improve it with compost,just sprinkle on the top.image
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    I use two thirds good topsoil and one third well rotted farmyard manure. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • OnopordumOnopordum Posts: 390

    Don't fill them too full initially as you want to leave some space for adding new compost or other organic material each year. I've been filling my new beds with layers of coarse compost and some soil. The compost isn't very well rotted, but should be fine for the beds. I cover them with a top layer of council green waste compost (fairly cheap in bulk) which acts as a good weed-free mulch.

    Drainage shouldn't be a problem in raised beds. I wouldn't bother with sand.

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