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New England Gardening

Questions from a Newbie

17 years ago

Hi guys -

Well, this weekend is supposed to be nice, so I'd like to get started on our new garden.

We have a huge bank that was created when they dug out dirt for the swimming pool.. there are lots of flowers (no idea what) out there right now. We want to move the flowers and dig up the bank to make raised beds for a veggie garden. Here are my questions:

Do I use untreated wood to create the raised beds?

Do I need to dig up the grass underneath, or can I just put the soil on top of it?

We'll add compost to the soil (although the plants out there now have always grown fine), what's a good ratio?

I'd like to get some things growing now, but I know it's still too cold. I have no room inside to start seeds. Can I start seeds in pots outside, then transfer them to the raised beds? Or is it still too early for that?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

drippy
17 years ago
For a veggie garden, I would certainly use untreated wood. I don't know about the ratio of compost to dirt, but before putting dirt down on top of the grass, I would put a layer of cardboard down (or similar thickness of newspaper if you don't have cardboard). It will serve as a weed barrier, but degrade over time. It will also attract worms, which you want.

You most certainly can start plants in pots right now. With tender veggies you need to watch for nights below 32, although I have tomatoes in a covered plastic container that sprouted a couple of weeks ago, and have lived through nights as low as 27. Some good methodology for this type of planting can be found in the FAQs of the Winter Sowing Forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wintersowing Forum
york_rose
17 years ago
FWIW, in my opinion there is no such thing as too much compost! ANY amount you add is better than adding less! The only exception to that would be if you had what is known as a "muck" soil, which is already mostly compost. The nearest place I know of that has a muck soil is western upstate New York (in the vicinity of Syracuse).

Add as much compost as you can afford (& then find a way to add more)!
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17 years ago
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