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Raised Beds - Topsoil bottom layer.

ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
in Problem solving

Hi everyone...I have already had some great advice on here regarding filling my raised beds, but I have another couple of questions.

Each raised bed holds about 650L and I will be using Wickes Topsoil and Wickes MPC to fill them, with a layer of cobbles in the bottom ( I couldn't find any rubble ) and I was wondering if I should mix the bottom layer of topsoil with some of the compost, just to loosen it up a little to help aid drainage and stop it from compacting?

Or will I be OK just putting the 300L of topsoil in first and then adding the 350L of MPC on top?

Thanks

Andy...

 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,143

    I would mix it all up together.

    I've never put rubble in the bottom of wooden raised beds - they're pretty free-draining as a rule. 

    image


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





  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Sounds like you're going to be spending a lot of money on potting compost!  I'd fill the beds with topsoil taken from the paths and elsewhere (pond?) or even buy it in if necessary.  The compost (as well as being expensive for such a large volume) will deteriorate and shrink over time, whereas soil can be improved by adding garden compost or well-rotted manure (both of which are free).

    I wouldn't bother with stones in the bottom - just heap up the soil directly on the (broken up) soil already there.

    Worms will do all the mixing you need, or mix it as you fill.

  • Sophie17Sophie17 Posts: 342
    I'm making mine this weekend and sounds like the same sizeimage I've got 350L topsoil and 350L compost per bed and plan to mix it together. Compost cost me ??15 for 350L and is good stuff top soil is recycled from around the garden. No rubble at the bottom of mine because I've always found them free draining in the past. Good luck with yours image
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

    Thanks for the quick replies image

    Mixing it all together sounds like a plan, the beds ( see piccy ) are quite deep, between 500mm & 600mm and are lined with polythene on the sides and heavy duty weed membrane on the bottoms to keep the soil in, but hopefully let them drain.

    image

     

    With regards to the cost, Steve...I'm looking at £140 to fill all three beds, which although not cheap, I'm more or less OK with. I decided to go 50/50 on the topsoil / MPC as I thought I would replace some of the MPC each Spring to start a fresh before planting.

     

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Sophie17 wrote (see)
    I'm making mine this weekend and sounds like the same sizeimage I've got 350L topsoil and 350L compost per bed and plan to mix it together. Compost cost me ??15 for 350L and is good stuff top soil is recycled from around the garden. No rubble at the bottom of mine because I've always found them free draining in the past. Good luck with yours image

    Hi Sophie...sounds like mixing it together could be the way to go, plus using compost saves me a lot of lifting and carrying, as Wickes will only drop off outside the front of the house and I then have to lug it all round the back.

    Hope all goes well with your raised beds image

  • Sophie17Sophie17 Posts: 342
    Wow yours look really good image I've done all the planning/buying. Today I cut the wood, sanded and painted it ( a completely hideous Barbie pink colour but hey, I'm a girl image ) Fingers crossed for nice weather tomorrow and I'll screw them together image I've got the pain of wickes dropping shingle on the drive so wheelbarrow at the ready.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

     

    Thanks Sophie...hope the weather holds out for you and I bet they will look great once assembled  image

     

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

    Morning everyone,

    Another quick question if I may...my soil / compost arrives this morning and I was wondering if there was anything I should add to it as I fill the raised flower beds?

    Maybe things like...

    Chicken manure pellets

    Blood, Fish and Bone

    or something else?

    Thanks

    Andy...

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    BFB is a good, slow-release general fertiliser and would be useful in most beds.  Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, and good for leafy crops like brassicas.

    A handful every now and then is the accepted dose.

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

    Cheers Steve...so would it be OK to mix in some slow-release fertiliser pellets, say to the top half of the soil, or would I be better mixing it through the entire bed?

    Sorry if this sounds like a daft question, but you are dealing with a complete noviceimage

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