Tree roots in raised garden beds
Sunflowers
7 years ago
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building raised beds over tree roots
Comments (9)I garden in the only sunny place I have, a narrow strip (10 to 25 feet wide, 250 feet long) along a woodline of pine, maples, oak, etc. Last June I put in a small raised bed, about 16 inches deep, that I put on top of the ground without tilling. I grew decent but not spectacular pepper plants in it. This winter, I changed my garden plan, and needed to take apart my raised box. The tree roots had grown up through the ground and were so thick that after I took the sides off the box, I had a solid cube of compost mix that was so tight with roots I had to use a tiller to break it up, and even then it took a couple of hours to break down a 4' x 7' x 16" cube! It only took 6 months for that to happen! My in-ground beds are a lot easier to manage. I completely remove all the roots when starting the bed (talk about work--that's what i was hoping to avoid when I made the raised bed), then I make sure to go along the tree sides of the beds each year with a shovel to cut through any new roots that have grown back in the bed. I had the same problems with a lasagne bed I also tried last year. I made two bed side by side, one using lasagne methods, and the other tilled with the same quantities of compost added. I grew cukes in both beds, and the tilled beds significantly outperformed. At the end of the season I dug into both beds, and the lasagne bed was heavily rooted from underneath. It my experience, growing near trees has made tilling necessary, regardless of what type of bed or soil improvement I'm using. Cheers! JP...See MoreNew Young Tree in a new Raised Garden Bed? Risky?
Comments (6)tree trunks need air.. if buried.. they will rot and kill the tree ... they can NOT cope with constant moisture ... with me so far ... in contrast.. roots need near constant coolness and moisture .. which we call soil ... once 'established' ... they can take care of all that ... so ... take your blocks... make a 6 to 9 foot circle ... bring in top soil that nearly matches you native soil ... and plant the tree .. so the root/trunk interface is at the level of the second bricks ... we do NOT use potting media or foo foo soils for backfill, especially with trees ... regardless... it will need to be staked for a year.. to get some roots down.. until the soil settles ... if you have clay soil.. advise and i will change the method ... perhaps .... you would be better off.. getting native soil from behind the garage.. and using that.. than bringing in mismatching soil ... if you were wanting to put in a perennial garden.. you would be better off.. stealing the native soil for the tree.. and bringing in a good soil for that bed ... its getting a bit late for planting trees.. unless you have a warranty .... where are you ... ken...See MoreCan I build a raised garden on top of old stumps/roots of tree system?
Comments (4)The toxicity of rhododendrons aside (although I'm sure that would concern some folks) cutting them off at ground level doesn't kill them. They regrow and the roots continue to invade easily so you would constantly be dealing with those issues no matter how deep you make the bed. You really need to first deeply dig out as much of them as possible. And if kitchen light is the goal keep in mind how tall many garden crops get, especially in a raised bed. Lastly keep in mind the damage that can result to your siding having the garden flush up against the house wall. You'll want to insure the slope is sufficient for good drainage, that sun exposure will be adequate, and you might want to consider using one of the many pest barriers between the house wall the the back of the bed. Just some thought to consider. Dave...See MoreRaised garden bed invaded by an adjacent tree
Comments (3)The roots may grow UP into the box as well unless it stands above the soil as shown. And the maple is still small--It will grow and your sun will become shade....See MoreSunflowers
7 years agodigdirt2
7 years agoSunflowers
7 years agoSunflowers
7 years agoexmar zone 7, SE Ohio
7 years agodigdirt2
7 years agonanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoUser
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7 years agoSunflowers
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6 years agokgbrn
5 years agoS Glanz
5 years agoSusan Sams
2 years agoS Glanz
2 years ago
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exmar zone 7, SE Ohio