Filling Raised Beds

[t4tom]

Hi All,

I am a bit of a newbie, having only gown sunflowers, herbs and chilli with any success.

I've recently decided to try my hand at square foot gardening and have invested in a two small raised beds (1m x 1m x 30 cm).

My question concerns filling these raised beds as I do not have access to a quality topsoil or homemade compost; I estimate that I will need around 300 litres of soil, but I'm not sure what I should be buying?

John Innes No 3? Dandy's Top Soil?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Thomas

[Pumpkin Becki]

I'd go for a mixture of Peat-free Multi Purpose Compost, topsoil and manure (you can buy this bagged if you don't have a ready supply). You could also add Soil Improver, but my mistake (when I filled my raised beds) was missing out the topsoil element. I ended up with very light, fluffy soil that compacted quite quickly and formed a bit of a crust on the surface.

[t4tom]

Thanks for the response Becki.

As I will need to purchase all three of those ingredients: compost, topsoil and manure, are you able to give some indication of the ratios required?

I wondered if John Innes No 3 might still be appropriate as this is loam based?

Thanks!

[Paulottie]

I think John Innes is a good choice as it is premixed combination of the above anyhow. However I might use a multi purpose/ blended manure to bulk it out and give some extra organic matter.

[Bigmallly]

Hi t4tom, I think there is a bit about sq ft compost on this thread........

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_44388.html

[Pumpkin Becki]

I avoid John Innes because it contains peat, but that's a personal thing.

I would go 2 parts compost to 1 part topsoil and then add manure depending on what you are using the bed for (I guess thats trickier with Sq Ft gardening), basically if your making a seed bed or growing root veg this season, I wouldn't add any, but if your going for hungrier crops, add another 1 part, possibly more for things like pumpkins, squashes, runner beans.

You may need to play around a little, but I think you'll 'feel' when the mix is right.

[t4tom]

Thanks to all who have responded.

It sounds like John Innes No 3 might be suitable out of the bag, but I'll have a look locally to see if I can purchase some topsoil and manure to balance things up a little.

Also, thanks to Bigmally's thread I have ordered a copy of 'All New Square Foot Gardening' by Mel Bartholomew.

I can't wait to get started now!

[Bigmallly]

Have a sneak preview before it arrives.

Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to ... - Google Books

[t4tom]

Have a sneak preview before it arrives.

Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to ... - Google Books

I wish I hadn't seen that, now I feel obliged to make "Mel's Perfect Soil":

1 bale of peat moss: 6 cu. ft.
1 large bag of coarse vermiculite: 4 cu. ft.
10 pails (2.5 gallon size) of sand: 3 cu. ft.
10 pails (2.5 gallon size) of compost: 3 cu. ft.
1 coffee can full of lime.
1 coffee can full of organic fertilisers.

Total volume of mixture: 16 cu. ft.

So, if my calculations are correct I am going to need about 190 litres of peat moss, 125l of coarse vermiculite, 95l of sand, 95l of compost, 3kg lime and 3kg of organic fertiliser.

Wish me luck!

[Bigmallly]

Which ever way you decide to go, I wish you good luck.

[elsie-scot]

I wish I hadn't seen that, now I feel obliged to make "Mel's Perfect Soil":

1 bale of peat moss: 6 cu. ft.
1 large bag of coarse vermiculite: 4 cu. ft.
10 pails (2.5 gallon size) of sand: 3 cu. ft.
10 pails (2.5 gallon size) of compost: 3 cu. ft.
1 coffee can full of lime.
1 coffee can full of organic fertilisers.

Total volume of mixture: 16 cu. ft.

So, if my calculations are correct I am going to need about 190 litres of peat moss, 125l of coarse vermiculite, 95l of sand, 95l of compost, 3kg lime and 3kg of organic fertiliser.

Wish me luck!

I think someone said that his soil mix had changed slightly in his newer book - have a look on the thread think it maybe was mentioned there

[t4tom]

I think someone said that his soil mix had changed slightly in his newer book - have a look on the thread think it maybe was mentioned there

Yes, for those of you interested...

Mel's Mix

1/3 Peat Moss
1/3 Vermiculite
1/3 Blended Compost

Also, I've just purchased 220 litres of medium grade, horticultural vermiculite for £14 + VAT; Can't be bad!

[Storming Norman]

Well I filled my raised areas in my garden [and my new front garden] with a mix of humoist [recycled garden waste] from these people:

Soil Conditioners

and rubbish old clay that was no use on it's own.

It's a fantastic mix and produces great veg well. The bulk bags seem to be about 17 wheel barrows full, so go a log way. possibly far too much for your small beds but an idea for you to explore.

It's local to me so much cheaper than shown on the website. I've no idea where you are T4Tom but you should be able to find a similar source near you. If you are very lucky your local authority may give similar stuff away at their recycling centres - as a council near us does, but only to their residents.

Worth using this sort of product as it is better than peat in todays environment.

Also I managed to buy from my local garden centre big bags of last years used compost to bulk up my allotment beds at £1.50 per bag. it's a bit of an unusual centre that grows veg to sell to their customers.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Can I do anything to persuade you not you use peat moss t4tom, it really is an unenvironmentally friendly option, and there are lots of super alternatives on the market?

[t4tom]

Becki,

As I mentioned I am a bit of a newbie and certainly in the dark with regards to Peat Moss.

It was my understanding that after harvesting the wetlands are restored to a functional state and allowed to grow naturally?

I would certainly welcome your views on this matter.

Incidently, what is your position on Coco Peat?