On 2017-09-30 08:23:28 +0000, Peter Robinson said:

Bob Hobden wrote:

On 29 Sep 2017 21:57, (Peter Robinson) wrote:
I'm in the process of building a couple of raised beds from scaffolding
planks. 4ft x 12ft.
[...]
Why do you want raised beds? Problem with existing soil? Bad drainage?
Bad back?...

My back is fine - touch wood. This is for fruit/veg. My soil is thick
clay, and squelchy in the winter, so that is one reason, but more for
containment.

My existing "temporary" veg bed - which is 3 years old now - is just cut
out of the turf and cultivated. Digging, adding lots of rough compost
and mulching means the level is raised and so soil is much better, but
I'm left with a 6in sloping 'dead zone' all the way round. The local
squirrels, cats and blackbirds love to move the compost/mulch to the
lawn, and the grass and buttercups invade from the lawn the moment my
back is turned. Being one large bed I have to walk on it, which I hate.

Peter


It isn't too late to corret the error. Dig out adequate clay and
transport to a suitable site or, if none is available, most councils
offer facilities for disposal.
The overall level of the area will fall to match the surroundings and
there will be no need to compound the problem by having raised beds all
over the place. It will be a lot of work compared with digging out the
clay in the first place but in the absence of a time machine, the
result will be the same.


--
Asha

http://nature.opcop.org.uk
The flora and fauna of Buchan