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#1
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Raised bed / Container - soil and worm query
I'm about to build a raised bed on top of a concreted floor. Part of
it shall be growing herbs and the other is for climbers and perenials. It's about 20 foot long, 2 foot wide and 2 foot high. In order to fill it, I've gravel for a couple of inches at the base, then some dead branches I cut off a clematis last autumn which have just been sat out in the rain and snow all winter, then I was going to fill with topsoil. I do have a bit of cold compost (the grass clippings and teabags kind!) but it's not really ready. Would topsoil alone be sufficient? Does anyone know where I could buy worms from? |
#2
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Jules wrote:
I'm about to build a raised bed on top of a concreted floor. Part of it shall be growing herbs and the other is for climbers and perenials. It's about 20 foot long, 2 foot wide and 2 foot high. In order to fill it, I've gravel for a couple of inches at the base, then some dead branches I cut off a clematis last autumn which have just been sat out in the rain and snow all winter, then I was going to fill with topsoil. I do have a bit of cold compost (the grass clippings and teabags kind!) but it's not really ready. Would topsoil alone be sufficient? Does anyone know where I could buy worms from? Buy worms!? What sort? Why? -- A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. -- Winston Churchill |
#3
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bigboard wrote:
Jules wrote: I'm about to build a raised bed on top of a concreted floor. Part of it shall be growing herbs and the other is for climbers and perenials. It's about 20 foot long, 2 foot wide and 2 foot high. In order to fill it, I've gravel for a couple of inches at the base, then some dead branches I cut off a clematis last autumn which have just been sat out in the rain and snow all winter, then I was going to fill with topsoil. I do have a bit of cold compost (the grass clippings and teabags kind!) but it's not really ready. Would topsoil alone be sufficient? Does anyone know where I could buy worms from? Buy worms!? What sort? Why? The soil and compost should be full of them, so no need to buy. Look under a few stones and things if you want to add a few to your breeding stock. Topsoil's fine, even the not brilliant stuff they usually sell you when you buy it in. I hope the sides of the raised bed will allow good drainage: if they're of masonry, they'll need lots of half-brick-sized holes. And I don't suppose there's any chance of breaking the concrete up a bit, is there? It would be much better. But, on the other hand, it will dry out much quicker than an ordinary bed: best to think of it as a very large container. Sounds nice: are you going to have things growing out of the sides as well as on top? Mike. |
#4
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darn hadn't thought of having things growing out of the sides until
now.... thanks for the replys |
#5
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"Jules" wrote in message oups.com... I'm about to build a raised bed on top of a concreted floor. Part of it shall be growing herbs and the other is for climbers and perenials. It's about 20 foot long, 2 foot wide and 2 foot high. In order to fill it, I've gravel for a couple of inches at the base, then some dead branches I cut off a clematis last autumn which have just been sat out in the rain and snow all winter, then I was going to fill with topsoil. I do have a bit of cold compost (the grass clippings and teabags kind!) but it's not really ready. Would topsoil alone be sufficient? Does anyone know where I could buy worms from? You may need even more drainage than you are suggesting with the branches etc.... What will you make the raised beds from ? I used concrete 'posts' that sort of slot together to make mine. This means that there is ample opportunity for the water to run away. Pictures and various links at : http://tinyurl.com/5arrc Jenny |
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