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Dry raised beds
Nanny gardener
Posts: 34
OK here's a question.
Mr raised beds made from railway sleepers, so quite deep, have soil that is as dry as dust. Over the last 4 years or so I have done all the things we are supposed to do: added home made compost, bags of compost, bags of manure and yet it still resembles a desert. This is probably why nothing really thrives very well.
Yesterday I dug down for the first time in ages having followed the 'no dig' policy, and found a think mat of roots. I think they are ground elder. Got out as much as I could - tricky around the garlic. Could these roots be part of the problem?
Any suggestions would be very welcome for getting some moisture retention.
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Is there a tree or hedge nearby Granny? I had a similar problem with raised beds near a walnut tree - the roots of which took over one of the beds and started to encroach the others.
All my feeding and watering efforts were essentially feeding and watering the tree.
Things improved when the tree was taken out but raised beds will always tend to dry out quite quickly.
Well it is about 4ft from a beech hedge and I did wonder if that was the culprit
I bet it is! Beech really drains he soil. Could you put in a liner - make some holes so you have some drainage - then refill and plant up?
Well yes I could and that is the conclusion I came to.
Think it will have to wait until the autumn now as I have garlic, rhubarb and now courgettes planted. shall just have to water a lot