Filling raised beds on the cheap

[Baldy]

I've got 3 new raised beds that need filling up - I've got access to more woodchip than I know what to do with - so I'll be doing with it to fill the beds up - some cardboard too - hopefully a bit of grass cuttings from the final cut of the year - compost bins not ready yet - woodchip smell like 'pine' bog cleaner so is going to be a little acidic

I'm covering with weed suppresant for the winter and have some garden lime to sprinkle about willy-nilly come spring - no doubt I'll have vast amounts of home made composst to go on too.

There are loads of nettles and docks lying near abouts - think I'll just chuck em on but should I ?

[Chestnut]

I wouldn’t bother with the nettles and docks...
However, a stroll with a wheelbarrow should find plenty of fallen leaves this time of year, seaweed if you’re near the coast (there might be rules about where you can collect from), then maybe try local farms -animals more likely in barns this time of year= manure and bedding mix readily available

[Jungle Jane]

Nettle & dock leaves might be good for the bed,they’re deep rooted collecting more minerals from the soil that shallow rooted plants can’t reach & the goodness goes into their leaves. Don’t put any roots in though or flower heads.

[veggiechicken]

Rary will tell you - he does everything on the cheap
Apparently his pension is very meagre

[burnie]

I got free soil improver from the council tip in Arbroath.

[Mr Bones]

Pine wood chips should be alright Balders, any acidity will balance out as it rots. Plenty of grass clippings will add nitrogen that the wood needs to rot down.

[rary]

Mix some washed course sand through it and the compost material whither it's ready or not, along with any other vegetative material, and if you want, an old chicken buried in it:D if you have any old compost use that to top it off, this will allow you to plant into it

[Mr Bones]

Is there anywhere you could get a couple of bags of washed up seaweed to mix with the wood chips.

[bikermike]

I use the woodchip that has been sitting on my paths for a year or so, then top the paths up. As long as you are careful when you scrape it up (I have membrane under mine), then you get rotted chip for the beds and shiny new chipping for the paths

[rary]

Should have added the nettles and doc's that you have lying as has been said the leaves and stems should be ok in your mix no seeds or roots, and I would put the weed suppressant on the ground before filling the beds and then cover with cardboard topping of with compost soil mix

[SarrissUK]

Don't forget your friendly coffee shop and the marvellous coffee grounds that you can often collect daily if you want to! Marvellous stuff that

[veggiechicken]

I add shredded paper to mine - usually via the chicken run or the compost bin.

[jackarmy]

I got free soil improver from the council tip in Arbroath.

Yep, check them out

[Baldy]

Yep, check them out

Not sure the cost in diesel would make it worthwhile

[jackarmy]

Good point well made,
maybe the local one ?