I want to make a raised bed. I would like it too look deep, but dont really want to pay to fill it with dirt. Is there something else I can fill it with 1/2 way so it wont cost as much, since I wont be planting anything that deep? What do I need to do?
Thanks
2007-07-23 10:48:06 · 9 answers · asked by Patricia G 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
You could throw in a lot of leaves and grass clippings that will rot down to make nourishing organic fertilizer for the plants. Put them in almost to the top of the bed. Keep them watered to promote their decay. Add earthworms if you are in a hurry. When the level gets down put soil on the top for the planting.
2007-07-23 11:07:33 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put in about 6 inches of gravel, then dirt on top of that. Rent or borrow a truck, it's cheaper to buy it in bulk then by the bag. The layer of gravel will help to keep the soil drained, and your plants will grow a lot better. If you plan on growing edibles, DO NOT USE TREATED WOOD, the chemicals will leach into the soil and get into what you are growing.
2007-07-23 18:02:46 · answer #2 · answered by Pat F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would probably be wise to go with the dirt, anything else you put in will also cost you.
If at some point down the road you want to plant something with a deeper root base, you could have problems.
2007-07-23 17:53:26 · answer #3 · answered by bgee2001ca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I do for my raised beds is...
Use a garden fork and loosen up the area you want to raise and work in compost.
Compost will not compact your soil and will help aerate your soil if it has a lot of clay or too sandy.
Adding "dirt", gravel, sand, wood scraps or other fill material may effect your soil structure in a bad way.
2007-07-23 17:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by lots_of_laughs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fill 1/3 or 1/2 way with gravel or broken bricks, tiles, pebbles but these would certainly be more expensive than soil, in India anyway.
2007-07-24 05:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mulch is a cheap and easy way to fill a bed. it is also very nutritious to the plants.If it is small some people will give you enough for free, but first you must till the surface soil. for added nutrition throw in eggshells and other wasted greens.
2007-07-23 18:29:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem and filled mine up half way with leftover scrap wood (since I'm a woodworker).
You just need to think of something you can get for free that won't disintegrate over time.
2007-07-23 17:59:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could fill it up with large rocks and gravel...half ways that is and it would also help keep it drained.
2007-07-23 17:56:09 · answer #8 · answered by shortcake 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can fill with many things...pine straw...hay...rocks.. news paper
The best would be to put rocks down to keep out extra moisture
2007-07-23 17:57:23 · answer #9 · answered by the_monamayfair 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋