Compost Query

[chris]

Not sure if this is in the correct forum or not, so apoligies if not!

I'm about to dig out the beds that I've created and have recently bought quite a bit of compost - different types, some general purpose, organic veg (no idea if that's a con or not? - westfields I think), and John Innes No 1 and 4 if I'm not mistaken.

The ground where I'm digging seems mostly to be of clayish nature, but some fur trees (christmas tree type thingy-ma-bobs) that I moved have what appears to be lovely, dark spongey soil - which I'm guessing is organic matter? I was thinking of mixing this to bulk out the beds a bit with the compost. is this ok? Or can I just fill them up with compost? Wasn't sure if I could do this or if I need to mix it with some soil that I'll have to order in.

thanks!

[ginger ninger]

If your wanting to improve your clay soil you need to dig in as much "Organic" matter as you can get your hands on, this can consist of new/old grow bags, compost from your or someone Else's compost bin with there permission of course, leaf mold, horse poo (well rooted) there's lots of things you can dig in, you can even buy improver's for clay soil, eventually it will be lovely to grow in..just give it time.
Answer to your question is, you don't have to buy soil in, work with what you have.

[Two_Sheds]

have recently bought quite a bit of compost - different types, some ... John Innes No 1 and 4

No.1 is for raising seedlings (it's got a little nutrient in it) and there is no No.4 ...did you mean No.3, which has much more nutrient, and is good for heavy feeding veg and permanent plantings? It's an expensive way to fill your beds though.

You don't need to fill your raised beds overnight anyhoo. Just take off your loose shale/chippings and plant into the soil you have (well forked over to break compaction) and top up with your own home-made compost and leafmould every year.

Save your pennies for seeds

[sweetiepea]

When I first built my raised beds i just used the soil I had and added spare bags of general purpose compost I had already, plus lots of well rotted horse manure I'd kept in a corner of the garden for a couple of years. They weren't 'full' by any means but there was still plenty of depth to grow potatoes and other root veg. Make your own compost if you can. There's nothing like it. I use mine to top up the beds, and as well as horse manure, I use seaweed. Lots of organic matter.

[chris]

Compost query

Hi All,

I've a load of compost ready for the season ahead, from John Innes, through to Organic Veg Compost, and then the usual MP stuff..

I've created some beds in my garden, just about to dig them down/out - can I just fill them with a mix of the compost, or do I need top soil too?

If so, any recommendations where I can get some top soil at a decent price? My local garden centres just recommend brown soils, some online firm?

thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

Didn't you already ask this? http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post586375

Or am I having a(nother) senior moment?

[FionaH]

Merged the two threads for convenience

[chris]

d'oh - completely forgot I posted that.

Sorry!!!!

[northepaul]

Can I just add my thought/query that might be worth considering - fir trees tend to need acidic soil dont they?
We have very acidic soil, and lots of fir trees around us, (including a bloody annoying one by the compost bin)...
I am sure some other more experienced grape will correct me if I am wrong, but it would not really do to add acidic soil to your raised beds if you want to grow veg.

[solway cropper]

Conifers do prefer a slightly acid soil. Many years ago we had to plant various conifers on limestone soil in Wensleydale. This was at the landowner's request and we told him they wouldn't grow but he insisted that's what he wanted. Three years later the dead and dying conifers were replaced with native hardwoods: ash, beech and oak. Bit of a ramble, I know, but it does illustrate the point that if you have healthy conifers you will have acid soil.

[chris]

Thanks Paul, good point.. I didn't know that !

They're only smallish trees.. I don't want them (hoping to move them elsewhere, or give them away) but do seem healthy..

[chriscross1966]

Fir trees are generally evil, imported ones doubly so, shred em lwet it rot for a few years uncopvered and then ad dit to the beds.... with som elime....

chrisc

[chris]

We have a side garden, which has almost like a walled pathway (wall being firs) - so I've added two of them to that. Have two more to transplant over there.. not sure if they'll take or not, but I'd rather give them the chance than just uproot and discard.

I've dug out one bed, underneath the decroative chippings, there was some large-ish sharp grit, below that very dense clay. I've dug down perhaps a foot or so from the bottom of the bed borders, and broken the clay up.. I've now covered it to stop the cats that roam around here from enjoying it, but should I start to fill it now? I'm concerned if I do, then all the nutrients may be washed out, or seep out by the time I get to sow stuff out in them!

I know some crops (parsnip if Im not mistaken) like clay/packed soil.. I've kept all the clay I've dug up.. would it be worth keeping this for a bed of said crops? Or would me compacting down compost be good enough?

[Two_Sheds]

The clay is very nutritious. Don't remove it from the beds: just add (grit, manure, compost) to it, to improve it.

Parsnips like a loose sandy soil, but swedes love clay (I can grow parsnips, but not swedes)