If I want to build a 6-10" raised bed, can/should I still double dig the plot?
Question:And should I do this before or after putting the bed frame down?
Answers:
dig out your area.
dig at least 8" to a good foot and till the soil. you know like stir it up. I would add some top soil with the nutrients and of course some fertilizer for flowers.
then you put in your frame.
then you need to section off the bed to follow your garden plan.
How high are you raising the bed? If it;s less than 6" then yes. If more than 6" then use a good garden soil, and that will do it.
If you are doing a RAISED bed you don't have to dig at all.
Built your bed and fill with the appropriate material.
I use equal parts Vermiculite, Peat and composted material.
Hold water well, doesn't compact, and the compost provides the nutrients.
If you keep the beds around 4 foot by 4 foot. You can reach everything planted without having to step into your plants.
A great book on raised beds is called Square foot gardening.
Depends on how much work you want to do. The double dig method is from the French intensive gardening school of thought. There is another no-dig school of thought where you just place layers of soil and organic matter down on top of the existing soil and plant away.
There is no doubt that the former method will improve your soil, especially when coupled with adding compost. We have experimented with the latter this year with good results.
You can see the results of this experiment so far and read the details of how we built the beds at the link below.
Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...
Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
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