On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 09:38:11 GMT, "Andy Hunt"
wrote:

Hi all,

As I don't have a car, I've converted my back driveway into what will be
raised veg beds next year, by building walls with some bricks.

This year I've grown veg in pots, using "organic" peat-free compost, and
when the veg are over I'm going to empty the spent compost into the new beds
to form the bottom layer of soil.

I am wondering what to fill up the rest with - I was considering just
getting some topsoil for it. I wonder if anyone could advise me if I should
put a layer of manure in next, before the topsoil? Obviously I want to keep
these relatively shallow (2ft deep) beds as productive as possible for as
long as possible, with minimum maintenance.

Any help much appreciated! Thanks in advance,

What's the base like?
I'm thinking in terms of drainage - if the beds are made up on a
concrete pan then you'll need to make provision for it.
Likewise if the ground is compacted - it'd be worth roughing up down
to a depth of a foot or so first.

I'd be inclined to treat a walled bed much like a giant pot - so if
you placed the spent compost at the very bottom you might end up
clogging the drainage. Some light hardcore might be appropriate?

As regards the soil, I don't see why a mix of topsoil and manure
wouldn't be just fine. To some extent you'll be able to adjust the mix
over time ( more soil, a bit of gravel or sand if necessary ).
I'd emphasize the mix though, rather than layers - save for the top
six inches or so, which ought to be a light soil layer.
This last layer will have to be put on quite some time after the bed
has been infilled - otherwise you might find that, as they say,
'contents are liable to settle'.

As for minimum maintenance, bear in mind that most manure comes packed
with seeds etc...and there's no telling what bought-in topsoil will
contain.
Ideally a top layer of soil-based potting compost would be ideal - but
expensive!

Sounds like a fascinating project though - and if you designed the
walls with some slots in, you could knock up some cloches/fleece
frames to fit - which would help to extend the season.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk