Another Raised Beds Question!

[vikkib]

I'm making some raised beds and plan to put them on what is currently 'lawn' (more like tatty grass!).

I was planning on removing the turf, using a fork to loosen the compacted soil a bit (to about a spades depth) and then putting the sleepers on top of the soil and filling with a mix of compost, topsoil and well rotted manure.

My mother in law has suggested that I remove the turf and loosen the soil below a little as planned and then put the turf back on, grass side down, before adding the compost etc. so that the grass will rot down and help enrich the soil.

Is this a good plan?!

Does anyone have an idea of roughly how long will it take for the grass to rot down?

Should I poke a fork through the upturned turf a bit to help it break up?

[teakdesk]

I do it exactly the way you are planning.

Stack the turves upside down on top of each other in a shady part of the garden (and keep moist during dry periods) and in 12 months you will have some lovely top-soil to add back in your raised beds!!

If the beds are deep enough your mother-in-law's way will work, but if shallow you could get grass growing through.

[Snadger]

Either way, the turves will make good fibrous loam quite quickly!

[vikkib]

Thanks Snadger and teakdesk.

Stack the turves upside down on top of each other in a shady part of the garden (and keep moist during dry periods) and in 12 months you will have some lovely top-soil to add back in your raised beds!!

The only shady part of the garden is being reserved by my other half as a seating area as I claim the rest of the garden for growing!

Would it be okay to stack them in a plastic builders bag or do they need air circulating around them?

If the beds are deep enough your mother-in-law's way will work, but if shallow you could get grass growing through.

I'm using sleepers on their side so I'd say approx. 10" deep. Would that be deep enough?


I'm sooooo very excited! Only the fact that it's quickly getting dark and has just started raining has stopped me getting out there and digging up the turf now!

[Florence Fennel]

I'm making some raised beds and plan to put them on what is currently 'lawn' (more like tatty grass!).

I was planning on removing the turf, using a fork to loosen the compacted soil a bit (to about a spades depth) and then putting the sleepers on top of the soil and filling with a mix of compost, topsoil and well rotted manure.

My mother in law has suggested that I remove the turf and loosen the soil below a little as planned and then put the turf back on, grass side down, before adding the compost etc. so that the grass will rot down and help enrich the soil.

Is this a good plan?!

Does anyone have an idea of roughly how long will it take for the grass to rot down?

Should I poke a fork through the upturned turf a bit to help it break up?

Hi, my raised beds were new last year. I laid an old carpet on the lawn for about a month before then when I removed the carpet I put the raised bed down and lined it with cardboard, which I soaked through before filling the beds. No grass has grown through, so it worked for me. Good Luck with yours, hope it stops raining soon so you can start, I remember how eager I was!

[Snadger]

Upturned turves with a plank of wood on top make a fine seat!

[vikkib]

Upturned turves with a plank of wood on top make a fine seat!

ROFL - I may have to try that out on him! I'm sure he won't mind slowly sinking as the turves rot down!

[vikkib]

Just remembered something else I meant to ask!

Whilst getting rid of a bit of concrete that was in the way of the planned area for the first bed I disturbed some ant nests (red and black) that are in the soil below the (now removed) concrete.

Should I use some Nippon or the like to get rid of them?

I'm nervous of using nasty chemicals but also don't want ants decimating the roots of my plants!

[teakdesk]

I'm about to try something recommended on here (I think it was!!).... dry polenta!

Apparently the workers carry it to the queen as a prize and she eats it and dies from de-hydration and the nest dies with her!!

[vikkib]

I'm about to try something recommended on here (I think it was!!).... dry polenta!

Apparently the workers carry it to the queen as a prize and she eats it and dies from de-hydration and the nest dies with her!!

I will have to give that a go!

I'll wait and see what the verdict is on Nippon in case the ants just think the polenta is a side dish and start expecting a three course meal!