Re: [gardeners] Raised beds and rototilling???
Barbara J. Davis (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 19 Sep 1998 13:27:51 -0500
I'd like to ask a question. Why are you tearing down the raised beds?
The idea of having raised beds is to segregate the area from the rest
of the garden's not-too-good soil. Once they're established, you keep
adding organic matter to the top. My daughter has raised beds because
of her clay soil. When they were first established, on top of the clay
was placed compost, both from their small "grass" bin and from the
city, until it reached the top of the structure. Every year the beds
have to be topped with more organic matter to the top of the structure.
She produces a prodigious amount and quality of vegetables and flowers
in those relatively small, improved areas.
Barbara Davis zone 7/8 southwest of Fort Worth, TX
> In a message dated 9/19/98 9:27:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> fieldsg@cadvision.com writes:
>
> > Should I build my new beds this fall after I have rototilled or should I
> > wait until spring? The beds are located on the south side and it is
> > quite dry on that side of the house.
>
> I live in CA and the soil is clay. Depending on your soil type....rain, snow,
> sun will compress and harden soil over time. Unless you are adding a ton of
> stuff that is not yet broken down you may need to turn it again in the spring.
> Unless you have incredibly good soft native soil there.....Id suggest covering
> it with a thick layer of grass and leaves after tilling to help avoid the
> problem. Then they can be gently spaded in next spring and you can build up
> the beds. I suppose you could cover them with plastic or tarps if is is a
> small area...but be sure to make sure some air can circulate under it.
>
> Taree in CA
>