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How do I make raised beds
Dogbowl
Posts: 88
Raised Beds who's advice do I follow ??
Some say put Hard Core on bottom some say Don't put hard core on bottom.
Some say use layer of Manure,Some say Don't use layer of Manure so worms can easily enter
We have decided on using Old Railway Sleepers for the construction. They will be situated on old lawn area & back filled using soil from previous diggings around the property.
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Posts
Have a look at Charles Dowding's web site, he has a lot of useful information. What you say sounds good, I'd top the beds with a 4-5" layer of compost or well composted manure if I were you. If you put it directly on grass, the grass will decay, producing organic matter, and the plants can grow through the dead turf. Try and avoid stones in the beds, apart from small ones, if you want to grow root veggies.
I wouldnt put hard core on the bottom if you are growing veg.
It depends on what you intend to grow as to wether manure is a good idea, things like carrots don't like it and will fork
Just to add to your confusion:
Personally, I wouldn't use old railway sleepers unless you've already bought them. Can't remember exactly what they're treated with (bitumen?) but they can ooze a tar like substance when they get hot. It can make a right mess of clothes and (presumably) can leech into the soil.
Mine were built using new pressure treated softwood sleepers. 2.4m long - 20cm square cross section.
Highly durable and no leeching other than the odd bit of resin. Mine are 2' high so nice to sit on
We stripped the grass and turned the turf upside down in the bottom of the bed. Then a mix of soil / spent mushroom compost and a bit of well rotted farmyard manure. No hardcore at all.
Remember not to make your mix too rich - seedlings and a lot of root veg (carrots etc) don't like lots of manure. We didn't have a great harvest the first season but by the second year everything had rotted down / mixed together well and we had an excellent crop.
Then the voles moved in.....