Square foot gardening - which compost?

[Bex2012]

Im just planning on sticking a mix of Jacks Magic and the compost mix they sell in the allotment shed. No idea what it is, but at 3 x 80lts for a tenner its pretty cheap. Im not bothering will the Mels Mix, the ready bagged compost is fine with me - im pretty sure what he is telling you to mix up is pretty much what bagged stuff is anyway.

[maverick451]

I used mels mix years ago

It was absolutely amazing but very expensive and the vermiculite only lasts 2 or 3 years before it degrades away.

[veggiechicken]

Here's a thread about cheap http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_77264.html

[Rapscallion]

Building a square metre bed

Quick question, I am midway through building the bed, lengths of 6 x 2 and some ply as a base (it will be sat on concrete).

Is it recommended to line the box with plastic sheeting?

[Bigmallly]

I wouldn't bother with a timber base as it will just rot. How deep is the bed if sat on concrete?

[Rapscallion]

I wouldn't bother with a timber base as it will just rot. How deep is the bed if sat on concrete?

Its 6x2, so 6" off the floor. The garden is being worked on, so will need to move the bed a little through the summer, hence the need for base.

[Lumpy]

If you are going to have to move your bed - which I imagine is going to be very heavy have you considered growing in just pots until your garden project is close enough to finishing for you to place your bed in it's permanant position?

[Rapscallion]

If you are going to have to move your bed - which I imagine is going to be very heavy have you considered growing in just pots until your garden project is close enough to finishing for you to place your bed in it's permanant position?

I had, but I don’t have any pots but I do have 6x2 and ply... hence the reason to build the raised bed. It won't need to be moved far, and only on the fly, so shouldn’t be too difficult (I can call upon some strong friends and straps if need be!)

[spamvindaloo]

You can line the wood with plastic to protect it but if you're going to create a lined base, you'd need to make sure there are sufficient holes and adequate drainage.

You could add an inch of gravel but that would make it really heavy so probably not a good idea. Polystyrene chips maybe? Either way you'd probably end up with roots hitting the lining and sitting in pools of water.

I think you might be better trying to find some containers until you are ready for the raised bed in it's final position but otherwise, just line the sides and if the base rots after it is in its final position then that's not a huge problem.

What are you planning to grow in the bed? 6" isn't a lot for some veg.

[Rapscallion]

You can line the wood with plastic to protect it but if you're going to create a lined base, you'd need to make sure there are sufficient holes and adequate drainage.

You could add an inch of gravel but that would make it really heavy so probably not a good idea. Polystyrene chips maybe? Either way you'd probably end up with roots hitting the lining and sitting in pools of water.

I think you might be better trying to find some containers until you are ready for the raised bed in it's final position but otherwise, just line the sides and if the base rots after it is in its final position then that's not a huge problem.

What are you planning to grow in the bed? 6" isn't a lot for some veg.

I hadn't started to decide that yet. Things I like (not sure how suitable they are, will have to take a look at the square meters book):-
mangetout peas
lettuce / salad leaves
broad beans
spring onions
herbs
garlic
strawberries
Raspberry

[Bigmallly]

What are you planning to grow in the bed? 6" isn't a lot for some veg.

Haven't you heard Spam?.............Monty Don says 6" is enough............