How much soil is needed for shrubs (Lilacs) planted in a raised bed?
ilovemytrees
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
laceyvail 6A, WV
7 years agoilovemytrees
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Raised bed soil help needed!
Comments (12)My wife and I just built a 4' x 10' (1 foot high) raised bed and need some tips for filling it. We are going to be using a black earth type product as the base for the bed. We then want to add five 30 lb bags of composted cow manure to the mix. After that I was thinking I would sprinkle some timed-release granulated all purpose fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Organic Multi-Purpose Organic Plant Food into the mix. How does this sound? Do we need more manure? Less? Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! You never told us how much of what mix you will be adding to. Is the manure composted or dehydrated? John Here is a link that might be useful: John's Journal...See MoreHow can I make best soil mix for new raised beds?
Comments (7)Contact your counties office of your state Agricultural Universities Cooperative Extension Service about having a good soil test done (usually in the $6.00 to $15.00 range). These simple soil tests, 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains� too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. may be of some help in determining what you have. A good soil for plant growth will have between 5 and 8 percent organic matter....See MoreSoft white roots overrun raised bed soil needs advice.
Comments (5)I have a lot of eucalyptus trees growing along the fence of the units next door. I have a passion-fruit growing in a pot and it was matted over with the white roots; the pot was on a concrete slab so the roots could not have travelled from the tree. A friend of mine said the Chinese pay money to buy these roots as it is good for the soil but I believe they are choking the young trees including my passion fruit although it is not dead. I made a raised garden and placed a weed protector half a meter high on the sides yet the raised garden is full of it and it has attached itself to the weedmat....See MoreAdding soil to already planted bed: how much is too much?
Comments (7)Garden Ho, I have about 15 hostas there, from 5 years old to transplanted from elsewhere last year. About 4 astilbe. Campanula, a shovel like you describe would be useful. I’ve been wearing rigid molded arch supports inside my shoes. That helps with a day of standing on my feet, but seems to do nothing for the shoveling problem. I’ll have to find me a welder! Ken, no suitable teenagers around, burly or otherwise. Kids around here have no need or desire to work, or would rather work in a way they find more socially acceptable, like the girl down the street who’s a hostess at a nice restaurant. Neighborhood is also on its second wave …incoming families have babies and children....See Moreken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years agoilovemytrees
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoilovemytrees
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoilovemytrees
7 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGrow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil
Got alkaline soil? Learn how to manage it and the many beautiful plants that will thrive in this ‘sweet’ soil
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES10 Solutions for Soggy Soil
If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESInvite Cellophane Bees to Your Garden by Providing Patches of Bare Soil
Look for cellophane bees (Colletes) pollinating flowering trees and shrubs in U.S. gardens this spring
Full Story
FARM YOUR YARDHow to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden
The nutrients in your soil feed the plants that feed you. Here are tips on getting it right — just in time for planting season
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil
Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGardening Solutions for Heavy Clay Soils
What’s a gardener to do with soil that’s easily compacted and has poor drainage? Find out here
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Lilac Vine for a Purple Profusion in Winter
Grow this pretty, hardy vine on a fence or as a ground cover for blooms throughout the colder months
Full Story
GARDENING 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 Story
GARDENING GUIDESGet the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil
Understand how your soil supports your plants so you can ensure your garden’s success
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES10 Cold- and Heat-Tolerant Perennials and Shrubs for the Arid West
These flowering native plants shrug off the cold of winter and heat of summer while adding beauty to the drought-tolerant landscape
Full Story
Mike McGarvey