Raised bed dries out too quickly.
dwighthe
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (27)
lazy_gardens
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Filling empty raised bed quickly, ideas?
Comments (17)When I first start my beds, the majority of the "filler" ends up being straw. I have used both newly purchased straw, as well as bales that are "old" - wet, etc. I get some new ones for the garden, and the walls of my compost pile are straw, which I use once the compost is gone. I tend to use the old straw as a mulch, and just pack the flakes of the new bales in like puzzle pieces when building the bed. Leaves, grass, paper, cardboard as the bottom layer to kill the grass - all are good layers, and will eventually break down. I sprinkle bone and blood meals on some of the layers when I have it, sometimes I don't. I dig holes, which I fill using organic potting soil. If I'm planting seeds, I just dig a row, and fill the row with potting soil, and plant the seeds! Makes it easy to see your rows... As long as you give the plants enough nutrients that first year, and keep adding mulch as needed, it should be fine. I live in Northern CA ( read that as little to no rain in the spring/summer)- and keeping the beds watered is not a problem - just tuck the irrigation hoses/drippers/whatever under the mulch! Actually, the straw mulch helps a LOT with moisture retention. I have also been known to mulch with grass clippings. As you do, I tend to steer clear of municipal mulch - although I do get manure from a nearby stable - they let it 'cure', as she calls it, then it is free for the taking. I tend to use it as a layer nearer the bottom or middle of the bed, so by the time the roots make it down that far, it is pretty integrated with the other layers. I do this with ALL my beds, veggie and flower - although many of mine are a combo of both. This may not be the correct way to do this, but it has worked for me for years. We have very hard clay soil, digging in it can be like digging in concrete! So these beds are perfect for me, and the plants are thriving....See MoreHow to hydrate a dried out raised bed
Comments (13)OK, so I sprayed it with water several times and mixed the mud up with the dry soil, then added some complete organic fertilizer, and bought some compost which I both mixed in and added as a top 1/2 inch layer. It may still be a bit silty in parts of it, but I do think I added a good bit of organic matter (the store-bought topsoil I put in there earlier was mostly peat moss and forest floor compost plus sand). In any case, I am planting arugula and escarole which I think are pretty hardy plants, so if the soil isn't in top-shape they should still be able produce something for me. I think that it soaks better now, it doesn't just turn to sludge like it did originally. I live in the Pacific NW in the USA, and in fall it is very rainy, so I think that now I will just let the rain do its work. Can I just use more of the store compost (I only added half to the bed so far, because it was over-full) to mulch the plants once they are bigger, or do I need heavier stuff like wood chips or straw? Thanks for the advice!...See More16 inch raised bed too high?
Comments (12)If you are building a large raised garden, I would suggest the following: 1. use uncolored cardboard or a double layer of black and white newspaper as your bottom layer (root barrier) (worms love it), 2. Visit your local transfer center (if they provide free composted leaves) and put a 6 to 8 inch layer of leaves on top of the root barrier, 3. Fill the remainder with a mix 1/2 compost and 1/2 top soil or garden soil....See MoreGritty Mix Drying Out Too Quickly
Comments (3)Bark will not generally become hydrophobic unless it is allowed to dry out. Not sure what time frame constitutes "too long" but you might want to try the 3-4 day interval and see if that fixes the problem first. If said pots are in a windy location, you have to water more frequently....See Moregrubby_AZ Tucson Z9
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agopurslanegarden
8 years agorgreen48
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agokimmq
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoGregory Eleser
8 years agokimmq
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoGregory Eleser
8 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years agoGregory Eleser
8 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoGregory Eleser
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRachel Williams
3 years agoRachel Williams
3 years agotoxcrusadr
3 years agoRachel Williams
3 years agoRachel Williams
3 years agotoxcrusadr
3 years agoRachel Williams
3 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESA Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning
Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESQuick Fix: Erase Water Rings from Furniture
A few household items can quickly rejuvenate tarnished wood tabletops
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES8 Materials for Raised Garden Beds
Get the dirt on classic and new options for raised vegetable and plant beds, to get the most from your year-round garden
Full StoryMATERIALSFabric Focus: Decorate With Grain Sacks for Quick Farmhouse Style
Vintage and reproduction grain sack material creates thick, durable upholstery for sofas, chairs, pillows and more
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDHow to Build a Raised Bed for Your Veggies and Plants
Whether you’re farming your parking strip or beautifying your backyard, a planting box you make yourself can come in mighty handy
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGThe Quick and Easy Way to Clean a Microwave
All you need is water and a couple of other natural ingredients to get your appliance sparkling and smelling fresh again
Full StoryLIFE10 Quick Ways to Get Your House Ready for Company
Holiday checklist: See how to make your home 100-percent welcoming in an afternoon. Plus: How to be a good guest
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOME10 Quick Ways to Cozy Up Your Home for Winter
Make those long, cold evenings a lot more enjoyable with these easy ideas
Full StoryMONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSYour Checklist for Quick Houseguest Prep
Follow these steps to get your home ready in a hurry for overnight visitors
Full StoryLIFEA Quick Downsizing Quiz for the Undecided
On the fence about downsizing? We help you decide whether that fencing should encircle a mansion or a mini trailer
Full Story
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)