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Filling a raised bed
hunterio75
Posts: 1
Hello, i'm a complete newbie at gardening, so apologies if stupid question. We've just put in railway sleepers in our garden with the intention to make raised flower beds. It runs for about 6m along the side of a wall. Breadth and depth of about 60cm. Any suggestions on how best to fill this as seems a huge volume to me (may have bitten off more than we can chew)? Is it just a case of getting loads of topsoil, or is there more of a science to this? Not keen on spending too much money. Thanks for any help/advice
0
Posts
You can get 1mtr square bags of topsoil
This site, one of many, shows you how to calculate it you do need to check delivery costs.
https://www.gardentopsoildirect.co.uk/topsoil-screened.html?gclid=COSI_YGnzc4CFQoTGwodCBAEew
You need to check what is available in your area. Its cheapest to buy the very big bags and get it delivered than buy lots if small ones.
I have had some beds edged this summer with the plants in situ. I will need to raise the plants and add more top soil once these plants are dormant. (Well some stronger person than me will have to. help)
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
With my rough calculation and your dimensions, it works out at 2160L of soil.
When I did mine I mixed in some compost to enrich the soil, I think it worked out at about a 60/40 mix of soil to compost.
Agree with lamweedy re the big bags, when I filled my beds I used small bags, believe me it was a real pain just filling 25L at a time
Feel free to correct the maths
Sheps...
Great advice already given - I'll just add this - you always think you have plenty of soil or compost, until you put it in the beds!
It also settles quite a bit, especially if you're leaving the beds over autumn and winter, as the rain will compact everything. Be prepared to add a bit more in spring. It's surprising how much the level drops.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You might be able to save some money, and ensure good drainage, by filling the bottom half with rubble and then completing with good quality topsoil. As already said, there will be settlement over time which will require additional filling.
Yes, we put rubble in the base of our raised bed too - it helps with drainage as you say Tetley. Broken stone, old plant pot crock (terracotta), fire ash and gravel will do too.