Raised Bed Soil Advice

[AndersonButler]

Hi, first time poster so please be kind!.

I installed 4 raised beds last year, the veg grew well and the results were much tastier than the veg we were buying from the supermarket!.

I was wondering whether I should now add something to the soil?. Maybe some Fish, Blood and Bone? Are there any guidelines, that as a novice, I should stick to?.

Thanks

[Jamesy_uk]

Blood fish and bone is a good addition to give it nutrients and it can take some time to break down fully so usually people tend use it 2-3 months before its needed and for long season veg add some more at time of planting.
If you wanted to improve the soil consistency you could add in some grass clippings, leaf mould or well rotted manure. I am still a novice so someone more experienced may be able to give some more comprenhensive advice.

[VirginVegGrower]

I'd add some compost or muck, whichever you prefer. Welcome BTW

[veggiechicken]

Hello and welcome. My question is, what did you put, in terms of soil, in the raised beds when you made them? Was it ordinary garden soil, compost, bought in topsoil...... Next question would be, what did you grow in them and what do you intend to grow there this year?
Of course, even when you answer these, I'm not professing to have an answer but it may help other more experienced gardeners to make recommendations!

[AndersonButler]

Thanks for your replies!.

It was topsoil that I purchased, and am looking to grow the same crops as last year, carrots, beans, lettuce etc.

I've had a google round for prices and Fish, Blood and Bone seems quite expensive for 10kgs etc.

How much would I need for 4 1m x 1m raised beds (50cm) deep. This seems better value (25kg) but may be more than I need for my small area. Sherriff Grass Care - Buy Fish, Blood and Bone traditional organic based multi purpose plant food. .Sounds like it may last me 5 years!

[rustylady]

There is no way you will need 10 kg of BFB for your raised beds. A scattering over the surface is enough.

[allotment grower]

you can buy boxed 2kg amount of blood fish and bone from local garden centres etc.

firstly rotate the crop you grew last year into a different bed.

secondly lightly fertilize the ground once the beds are ready to grow in..

carrots root crops - lightly sprinkle blood fish and bone approx 2-3 weeks before planting.

onions- blood fish and bone / chicken manure pellets lightly scattered over the bed.

salards lettuces etc - lightly sprinkle blood fish and bone. 2-3 weeks before planting..

potatoes - if possible some well rotted manure in the trench if not potato fertilizer or chicken manure pellets will work..

peas / beans - lightly sprinkle blood fish and bone 2 -3 weeks before planting top up with chicken manure pellets once grown..

brassicas need the area to be limed - use garden lime sprinkle lightly over the bed in the spring aprox 6 - 8 weeks before planting.. also use chicken manure pellets just before planting scatter lightly..

calcified seaweed is a good organic fertilizer with base nutriants ideal to top up nutriants to all the beds in the spring scatter lightly ..

[Two_Sheds]

BFB is a fertiliser, it's not a soil improver. Sprinkle it when you plant your veg, not months before (it will either get washed away or just feed the weeds).
You can get a kilo box in the pound shops.

Lettuce and carrots need no feed at all.

Ideally, you should be adding your own homemade compost to your beds every year...

[oldie]

"brassicas need the area to be limed"- only if the Ph is too low. Bought in top soil is usually sold with a neutral or above value.

[Two_Sheds]

... and if you use chicken manure you don't need to add lime as well

[AndersonButler]

Thanks for all your advice, plenty to learn!