Raised beds and gardens

[pmsmechanic]

My gardens are doing very good, I'm still "mulching" them in, right now...

I cut and pick up the mulch,

And my better half, spreads it down the rows.....here's the front garden,

Once it's down, I have NO weeds and MUCH less water is needed, also the gardens are always really nice to walk in, and the veggies stay clean... In the fall, i'll till it under to feed next years plants, as I don't use any chemical ferts or sprays of any kind.

SR

I have neighbors that spread newspapers between the rows and then hold the newspaper down with grass clippings. The newspaper keeps the weeds from growing and it all works in very nicely for mulch for next year. Same idea as yours just a slightly different way of accomplishing it.

 

[streamin]

I have neighbors that spread newspapers between the rows and then hold the newspaper down with grass clippings. The newspaper keeps the weeds from growing and it all works in very nicely for mulch for next year. Same idea as yours just a slightly different way of accomplishing it.

that is a big garden, I was concerned about the weeds as well, thanks for the ideas.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The problem with news paper, although it does keep the weeds down, it doesn't add much of anything else back into the garden.

I don't use chemical ferts, so the heavy mulch I use does a LOT more than just keeping the weeds out......but anything you can get your hands on, is better than nothing.

Over the years, i've drug home a LOT of grass clippings and leaves the townies have bagged up along the curb! They BUY chemical ferts, and then throw away grass clippings and leaves!! lol

SR

 

[ustmd]

That's a good question as I am a beginner and not much in identifying types. But is looks like regular soil with a bit of a sandy texture. Don't think there is much clay. seems to drain ok from the rest of the property.I buried some old rotten wood under there, then put a load of topsoil followed by some real sandy soil. the top is a garden mix.

If you squeeze your wet soil does it form a solid lump that stays solid after you release it (high clay content) or does it crumble? If you have a very high clay content, then you might need some drainage holes. Otherwise, you should be okay.


Estimating Soil Texture: Sand, Silt or Clayey

 

[rgr33]

Sawyer Rob, I like what you're doing with the hay mulch, might try that in my garden, but what about the grass seed in the mulch, wouldn't that sprout when you water the garden?

 

[RalphVa]

One advantage of raised beds. We had our coldest winter in 15 years last winter. I think it killed out the squash vine borer larvae that normally overwinter in the ground, and the raised beds probably got colder than soil in the ground. So far, no squash vine borer, but I'm also treating the stems with Neem oil (BT or spinosad should work as well), but the squash really aren't big enough to tell yet.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

In using hay mulch or straw, ALWAYS make sure that the farmer never used any pyridine herbicide on it. If you cannot find out whether he did or not, DON'T BUY IT.

Ralph

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Sawyer Rob, I like what you're doing with the hay mulch, might try that in my garden, but what about the grass seed in the mulch, wouldn't that sprout when you water the garden?

It doesn't matter how many seeds are in the mulch, you HAVE to put it on heavy enough to smother them out.... IF you get weeds, then you didn't mulch heavy enough...

What seeds that germinate in/on the mulch, don't grow because the water goes through the mulch to the soil, so the mulch stays dry.

SR

 

[DKCDKC]

That's a good question as I am a beginner and not much in identifying types. But is looks like regular soil with a bit of a sandy texture. Don't think there is much clay. seems to drain ok from the rest of the property.I buried some old rotten wood under there, then put a load of topsoil followed by some real sandy soil. the top is a garden mix.

I've never had a bit of trouble with accumulation of water with my raised beds - block or wood. I have it on normal garden soil and the water drains well. You don't want it to go super fast because you want the soil around your plants to remain moist. Mine works like a champ.

 

[streamin]

USTMD, thanks for the link, good info. And thanks to the others as well. I had so much unpacked dirt and then it rained so much it is like quicksand. I think once it dries out and packed a bit more it should be ok based on your comments.