Soil/compost/raised bed questions

[Dyljoshmum]

Hi

I am sorry, these are probably the most ridiculous, obvious questions, but I know absolutely nothing about growing veg yet, other than what I have read and need a bit of advice. Please don't laugh at my stupidness

So, I am planting my veg in a small strip of soil in the garden, its a long thin strip so I'm thinking of putting carrots/radish and beetroot in there.

I also have 3 large vegetable planter containers and 2 pea/bean containers. Apart from the beans (which haven't arrived yet), most of my other veg needs to go out starting about March time. Anyway, my question is, if I am not planting them out until March now do I need to be filling them with soil/compost now or waiting till nearer the time.

I haven't really decided what is going where, but assume it would be better for cabbages/lettuices to go together, my squash in another and everything else in the other.

Also do the planters need filling with a soil and compost mix, or just a general compost?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Natalie

[Two_Sheds]

Veg are reasonably heavy feeders (some more than others) and a John Innes No.2 or 3 compost (it's a recipe, not a brand) gives good bulk & moisture retention for permanent planting (like fruit trees in tubs).

Growbags/cheap MPC (multi purpose compost) are OK for seedlings, but too light & fluffy really, and they dry out quickly. A mix of the two would be good.

Have a look at Monty's recipes: Monty Don's peat-free compost - Telegraph

Don't open the bags or fill the pots until you are ready to plant, or you'll just have problems with weeds growing and nutrients being washed away in the rains.

[Thelma Sanders]

If you fill the planters now, the winter rains will wash the fertiliser away. So it's best to fill them when you want to use them.
It is personal choice, but I like to have some soil mixed with shop bought compost, it gives it a bit more body, and doesn't dry out quite as fast.

[Dyljoshmum]

Great, thank you for your help.

[alex-adam]

Hi Dyljoshmum, and welcome to the Forum, please don't think any questions are silly - if you don't know the answer its quite right to ask.
Here you will find lots of sage advice (no pun intended) from the many contributors of varying degrees of experience, some I must say put the 'experts' in the shade.
You have already had sound advice from a couple of the 'regulars' about the soil/compost in your plot and containers. If I may add my little bit of advice, I would be not to be too hasty in planting out unless your plot is really sheltered, I know its, "sunny Donny", but can still be cold. Most vegetables are better sown April time and certainly tender subjects, French & runner beans, courgettes, squash and the like should not be planted out until June.

a-a

[Dyljoshmum]

Thank you for that advice, I'm lucky in that the garden is all in full sun, apart from one section but I am going to wait until later in the year to plant out. From what I have read the dates given on the packet are guidelines and the further north you are the later you need to leave them. Can be blooming freezing here in May some years!

[ann-the-nan]

Soil/compost/raised bed questions

Hi dyljoshmum,
Welcome to the forum. As you have already been told, there is no such thing as a silly question. We all had to start somewhere. If it wasn't for this vine, I wouldn't have the knowledge I have. I still ask loads of questions, and no doubt will ask more. just before Xmas I had to go to "hospital" as I was falling in the veg patch. And what did the specialist recommend? Raised Beds!

[Welshmummy]

Hi DylJoshmum - welcome to the forum.
I too am a newbie and was wondering the same thing as you! Most my seeds are needing to be planted around March - ish time and I was wondering whether to fill out now or not!

Will be attempting to set my raised beds up in February - not 100% sure of placement yet - and getting my greenhouse prepared. Have also got a fresh compost bin that will be getting filled at the end of January once we have gotten it thanks to the councils lapse!

Good Luck with your garden and I look forward to talking to you soon.

[Peoplefund.it]

Have you heard of biochar?
It's a great additive to compost and can improve crop yields by a large amount.

Well worth taking a look at.