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Starting a Raised Garden
Posted on 4/10/19 at 8:04 am
Posted on 4/10/19 at 8:04 am
What kind of soil/fertilizer ratio should I be using to start a new raised vegetable garden? Built the box (4ft x 8ft) last weekend and picked up some Miracle Grow garden soil and some manure/fertilizer.
New to this so any advice is appreciated.
New to this so any advice is appreciated.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 8:23 am to modes
quote:
Miracle Grow garden soil
Which one did you get? If it's the All Purpose "for in ground use", then it's not really soil at all. It's an amendment for existing dirt. It's kind of messed up that they label it as soil when it really isn't.
I used some of the Sta Green garden soil in my herb boxes and it is some good looking stuff. But that may get expensive. I'd go to a local landscape materials or nursery and see what you could get in bulk.
This post was edited on 4/10/19 at 8:24 am
Posted on 4/10/19 at 8:32 am to modes
I have probably 50% Top Soil, 30% Compost, and 20% Peat Moss. The Peat Moss really just helps with drainage. I also add Triple 13 fertilizer 2 weeks before planting.
This post was edited on 4/10/19 at 8:39 am
Posted on 4/10/19 at 8:56 am to modes
I went with "Mel's Mix" which is compost, peat moss, and vermiculite.
I forget the ratio, but it should pop right up if you google "Mel's Mix".
If you go with this, don't buy your vermiculite at the big box stores. They way, WAY overprice it.
I forget the ratio, but it should pop right up if you google "Mel's Mix".
If you go with this, don't buy your vermiculite at the big box stores. They way, WAY overprice it.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 9:07 am to modes
I filled my raised bed with garden soil bought from a soil, mulch, compost dealer in my area. I got a couple pickup loads for $35 a load and filled it and the extra I had was put aside. The raised bed soil will compress over time and what appears to be full will go down a few inches by seasons end as it compacts a bit over time.
Glad to see you made it only 4 ft. wide. Someone on here posted they built a 10 x 10 raised bed and that defeats the purpose if you have to get in the thing to tend to plants.
Glad to see you made it only 4 ft. wide. Someone on here posted they built a 10 x 10 raised bed and that defeats the purpose if you have to get in the thing to tend to plants.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 9:09 am to Centinel
Agreed, you could also sub perlite for vermiculite if easier to find and more cost-effective.
Ratio is 1/3 each, and I recommend making the compost third with at least 3 different composts.
If you do this correctly and don't substitute, you will only need to add compost annually.
Ratio is 1/3 each, and I recommend making the compost third with at least 3 different composts.
If you do this correctly and don't substitute, you will only need to add compost annually.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 9:13 am to gumbo2176
Ya 4x* is pretty much the standard size. You should be able to reach to the center of your bed from either side easily.
I have two 4x8s and one 4x4 bed with a two foot walkway between them and it's worked out great.
I also highly recommend setting up a drip irrigation system. Saved my garden multiple times during the summer when we were out of town.
I think I paid about $130 total from Dripworks for my system that waters all three beds and my blueberries, and includes the filter, water pressure regulator, and timed water valve.
I have two 4x8s and one 4x4 bed with a two foot walkway between them and it's worked out great.
I also highly recommend setting up a drip irrigation system. Saved my garden multiple times during the summer when we were out of town.
I think I paid about $130 total from Dripworks for my system that waters all three beds and my blueberries, and includes the filter, water pressure regulator, and timed water valve.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 9:16 am to LSUfan20005
quote:
Agreed, you could also sub perlite for vermiculite if easier to find and more cost-effective.
Everything I've read says don't substitute. Perlite doesn't hold water like vermiculite, which is why you add it.
Posted on 4/10/19 at 9:35 am to modes
Compost: you want a bunch of lively compost. Not the sterilized, bagged stuff from a big box store. Find a composting operation in your area & buy enough to put at least a 4-6" layer in your beds. A non-bagged compost will be full of insects, fungi, other micro organisms that are essential to soil health.
New Orleans Composting Network will sell by the bag or in cubic yards. It is way out on Old Gentilly Rd, near Almonaster. Location is in a waterlogged, trashy stretch of road, but the compost is good stuff. I backfilled all of my landscaping beds and vegetable beds with 6" last year, and everything grew beautifully. I didn't even need to add anything to the soil this year...will probably do another 6" layer next winter. I have abundant worms now, thanks to the compost.
New Orleans Composting Network will sell by the bag or in cubic yards. It is way out on Old Gentilly Rd, near Almonaster. Location is in a waterlogged, trashy stretch of road, but the compost is good stuff. I backfilled all of my landscaping beds and vegetable beds with 6" last year, and everything grew beautifully. I didn't even need to add anything to the soil this year...will probably do another 6" layer next winter. I have abundant worms now, thanks to the compost.
Posted on 4/11/19 at 8:45 pm to hungryone
Anybody know of a composting operation in the baton rouge/prairieville area?
Posted on 4/11/19 at 9:07 pm to modes
Get a company to bring over a yard of soil. Preferably you want less than 20% sand. I bought top soils with ground up bark. I also added about 100 pounds of manure to each bed as well as worm castings. Plants have done well in my beds.
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