Raised bed question

duajones · April 9, 2010

I have 2 4x8 raised beds that I put together in 2007. I mixed compost, manure, landscapers mix and some top soil. I have grown beans, okra, cukes and tomatoes successfully in these beds. They seem to be too free draining at this point and have become somewhat compact.
What can I add to this that will loosen it up some and also help with moisture retention?
I was thinking maybe some peat and perlite but wanted to get thoughts from you guys.
I have beans growing in the two beds now and once they are done I will plant okra and more beans. I have a mini tiller that I will use to work in whatever I decide to use.

celticman · April 9, 2010

More Compost and if your soil is sandy peat.

ssi912 · April 9, 2010

i use a raised bed at my house for veggies. it is about 100 square foot. i make my own compost for it every year in a roughneck barrel with holes drilled in the bottom. i mix hay, chicken litter(black hen), and compost from the municipal dump and my homemade compost every fall. i add pine bark every other year. about 6 cubic feet and mix it in the soil. really helps with drainage. my home made compost helps with retention. my soil looks like cake crumbles. very light. i built the bed back in '05. the only way to go if i could afford it for every garden i have.

duajones, what type of wood did you use to hold the bed together? i used yellowood. there was a swarm of termites that flew out of the boards last weekend. looked like it was snowing, but it was 85 degrees outside. i figure i will be replacing the planks soon. probably go with staggered landscape bricks or pavers.

duajones · April 10, 2010

The soil isnt sandy at all. I used treated lumber to build the beds. Here is one of them with beans in it from last year

danwigz · April 10, 2010

I also have a raised bed which I originally filled in with topsoil and a garden soil mix that included peat. This year I'm going to add a little peat to it. The normal soil around here is very sandy beyond the top layer. I'd recommend a little peat for yours as well. Adding well broken down compost is another option if you've got it.

dice · April 10, 2010

Coir would be perfect (holds water better than peat, takes
at least twice as long to break down in the soil). Finding it
in big enough bales or bricks to bring the price down to the
price of peat moss from a big box hardware store can be
challenging.

Peaceful Valley has a brick that expands to 4.5 cu ft after
wetting for under $20, but after shipping it will cost more:
http://www.groworganic.com/item_PSO1..._Ft_Brick.html

If you could find it for a comparable price per cubic foot locally,
that would be a good choice.

duajones · April 10, 2010

I cant find Coir locally

April 9, 2010	#1
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	Raised bed question I have 2 4x8 raised beds that I put together in 2007. I mixed compost, manure, landscapers mix and some top soil. I have grown beans, okra, cukes and tomatoes successfully in these beds. They seem to be too free draining at this point and have become somewhat compact. What can I add to this that will loosen it up some and also help with moisture retention? I was thinking maybe some peat and perlite but wanted to get thoughts from you guys. I have beans growing in the two beds now and once they are done I will plant okra and more beans. I have a mini tiller that I will use to work in whatever I decide to use. __________________ Duane Jones

April 10, 2010	#4
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	The soil isnt sandy at all. I used treated lumber to build the beds. Here is one of them with beans in it from last year __________________ Duane Jones

April 10, 2010	#6
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Coir would be perfect (holds water better than peat, takes at least twice as long to break down in the soil). Finding it in big enough bales or bricks to bring the price down to the price of peat moss from a big box hardware store can be challenging. Peaceful Valley has a brick that expands to 4.5 cu ft after wetting for under $20, but after shipping it will cost more: http://www.groworganic.com/item_PSO1..._Ft_Brick.html If you could find it for a comparable price per cubic foot locally, that would be a good choice. __________________ -- alias

April 10, 2010	#7
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	I cant find Coir locally __________________ Duane Jones

April 9, 2010	#2
celticman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NC Posts: 170	More Compost and if your soil is sandy peat.

April 9, 2010	#3
ssi912 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Simons Island, Ga. Posts: 83	i use a raised bed at my house for veggies. it is about 100 square foot. i make my own compost for it every year in a roughneck barrel with holes drilled in the bottom. i mix hay, chicken litter(black hen), and compost from the municipal dump and my homemade compost every fall. i add pine bark every other year. about 6 cubic feet and mix it in the soil. really helps with drainage. my home made compost helps with retention. my soil looks like cake crumbles. very light. i built the bed back in '05. the only way to go if i could afford it for every garden i have. duajones, what type of wood did you use to hold the bed together? i used yellowood. there was a swarm of termites that flew out of the boards last weekend. looked like it was snowing, but it was 85 degrees outside. i figure i will be replacing the planks soon. probably go with staggered landscape bricks or pavers.

April 10, 2010	#5
danwigz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 150	I also have a raised bed which I originally filled in with topsoil and a garden soil mix that included peat. This year I'm going to add a little peat to it. The normal soil around here is very sandy beyond the top layer. I'd recommend a little peat for yours as well. Adding well broken down compost is another option if you've got it.