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Garden bed upon bitumen/tar
Hi all, just hoping for some advice on a little gardening problem I
(might) have! We've got a section of our garden/yard that is covered with a flat layer of bitumen. It's wasted space, and we'd like to turn it into a vege garden. I'd thought about breaking it up and removing it, but it could be too big a job (I've no idea how thick the layer is). So I was wondering if there would be any problems with making some raised garden beds right on top of the bitumen? I've no idea what effect it would have on things like; drainage long-term quality of soil chemicals in the bitumen getting into my veges thanks in advance jack |
#2
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Garden bed upon bitumen/tar
In message
, jzfredricks writes Hi all, just hoping for some advice on a little gardening problem I (might) have! We've got a section of our garden/yard that is covered with a flat layer of bitumen. It's wasted space, and we'd like to turn it into a vege garden. I'd thought about breaking it up and removing it, but it could be too big a job (I've no idea how thick the layer is). So I was wondering if there would be any problems with making some raised garden beds right on top of the bitumen? I've no idea what effect it would have on things like; drainage long-term quality of soil chemicals in the bitumen getting into my veges thanks in advance jack I had a similar situation some years ago when I acquired a small piece of land adjacent to our house in S. London. It was concreted over. I used some old timber to build a raised bed box for veg growing and lined it with heavy duty plastic through which I punctured a few holes to allow any excess lying water to drain out. It's just the same as if it rained on the concrete so no problem.... it found its normal way out. The quality of the soil always gradually deteriorates - even in a normal garden. Hence the need to ensure regular replenishing of the soil's vital ingredients with compost and occasional dustings of selected fertilisers. The right soil is important to the quality and quantity of vegetables.... and what you choose to grow. So get good topsoil and mix in well rotted manure/compost. Root veg (carrots, parsnips etc.) prefer a sandier loam soil through which they can grow without distortion. They don't like direct contact with manure. Others are much more tolerant. Brassicas enjoy a light dusting of lime, etc. etc. You may find the following link helpful: http://www.growveg.com/growguides/soil-types.aspx Also, I suggest you ensure that you rotate the crops annually. This will help: http://www.vegetableexpert.co.uk/Veg...pRotation.html Good luck ..... done properly you will have a great source of daily fresh vegetables and you won't regret it. PS: Try to prevent the tar seeping up through the holes into the box by covering the bitumen with a piece of old carpet or more of the plastic. -- Gopher .... I know my place! |
#3
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Garden bed upon bitumen/tar
g'day jack,
might be best to at least get someone around who has the machinery (bobcat whatever) that could rip up the bitumen, and get a quote fro removal then you can decide if the job might be too expensive or not. ultimately it would be better to get rid of it. but if it is too expensive a job to do then raised beds will work just need to be sure that the ebds can drain a little, nothing flash might mean make sure the bed edges don't form a good seal to the tar. if you go this way the beds would be better at least 20"s deep, a bare minimum of 12"s, you could make surrounds out of corrugated roofing ther would be lots of other alternatives. suppose with the tar in place you wouldn't be needing to worry about weed barriers or path material. see our pic's for ideas, on our site. On Mon, 5 Jan 2009 03:33:47 -0800 (PST), jzfredricks wrote: snipped With peace and brightest of blessings, len & bev -- "Be Content With What You Have And May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In A World That You May Not Understand." http://www.lensgarden.com.au/ |
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