How To Fill A Raised Garden Beds With Healthy Soil
You have built garden beds for yourself (or you may have put one of the ready -made kits together). You have avoided all common garden beds errors, but now it is time to start filling a healthy growth medium. In this way, you can enjoy a bumper harvest in the summer.
But what do you use to fill it? Take a look...
The soil is not inertia and something without life.
The healthy soil is full of positive lives -most of them are invisible to the naked eye. Each table of fertile and fertile soil contains more organisms than humans on the earth!
Bacteria, algae, ground jackets, bacteria, native animals and nematodes are too small and invisible, but it is found that the crawling of earthworms and insects on the earth is a good signs of soil health and fertile.
The existence of microorganisms in the soil is beneficial in many aspects.
Bacteria and fungi in the soil promote nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter, so that plants absorb key nutrients.
They produce fudge substances, and improve the soil structure by combining clay, sand and silt particles. Just like the glue of nature, it can prevent the soil from being completely collapsed during treatment, washed away when it rains, or scattered like the sand in the wind.
As more and more soil particles are combined, they become larger groups, called soil gathering bodies. The space between the soil gathering collective creates a huge network and is connected by a wire -shaped fungus. These tiny tunnels allow air, water and nutrients to divert the soil.
Soil microorganisms are also natural defense against weeds, pests and diseases. They have the ability to change the characteristics of the soil itself by reducing the pH value and increasing the oxygen level near the soil surface. This creates an environment that is not suitable for unwanted plants and harmful bacteria.
The soil area around the plant root-called the root-is a really awesome place, which is worthy of our attention and care. The complex and almost invisible interaction between these underground creatures is part of all life as part of a larger soil food network.
How much soil do I need to fill my garden beds?
Filling up your garden bed is not necessarily guessing. There is a simple calculation that can accurately calculate how much materials do you need.
Use soil calculators to determine the volume of materials required for each garden bed.
Secret of healthy soil
Good soil is the cornerstone of healthy and multi -producing gardens. When you have to pay tribute to your growth medium by ensuring that it has a large number of biology, you will get a generous return in the vegetable field!
One of the major advantages of gardening on the garden bed is to completely control the quality and characteristics of the soil.
By starting in the empty bed, you can accurately choose the composition of the soil. This means that you can fine -tune your mixture to obtain the perfect organic growth medium that suits you specific biological communities.
The basic formula of fertile soil is very simple:
50%surface soil/50%compost
This simple and balanced recipe will have excellent results in the garden.
The ratio of 1: 1 can also be used as a starting point. Randomly repair and adjust the quantity to customize your mix.
For example, the rainy climate may want the soil to drain freely. People living in arid areas may give priority to keeping moisture.
Adjust the basic formula by adding a single correction with 5%increment, a total of up to 20%. This will make your final mixture close to 40%of the surface soil, 40%compost and 20%additional materials (we will introduce later).
Water -50%
Watching soil is a difficult thing to define.
Technically, it is the outermost soil on the surface of the earth, between 2 to 12 inches underground. Real surface soil is a very valuable material because it is rich in various living, dead and rotten organic matter.
However, because the surface soil does not have actual legal definition, the surface soil that can be purchased may not be "real", nor does it necessarily contain nutrients or microorganisms.
This is why the surface soil is more in volume filler in the garden beds. Because compost will be added to the mixture, you don't need to rely entirely on the surface soil to provide nutrients and soil microorganisms for plants.
Obtaining the best surface soil in the budget range is always wise. This will help build the overall health of the soil and provide a dreamy start for the raised garden.
Bumper soil
When you have multiple garden beds to be filled, buying the soil in batches is the most economical choice.
The bulk meter soil is purchased from cubic code. It is transported and stored somewhere on your property.
High -quality surface soil will have dark brown and soil texture. It should be clean, with screening, no debris.
When purchasing the soil for large projects, only the reputable garden greening company is used. Before buying, please visit the seller and squeeze the surface soil. Good surface soil should be kept together, but it will break when poking.
Beware of low -quality, naked surface soil, does not contain any organic matter. It is easy to spread when squeezing, basically just dirt.
Most sellers also offer watches mixed with composting, peat moss or black loam soil. As organic matter is added, the mixed surface soil will have a richer texture and good soil aroma.
Another thing to remember is that the surface soil must contain weed seeds. This is really incomparable, because the high temperature required to destroy all seeds will also kill any beneficial creatures in the soil.
Pocket soil
When you have only one or two raised garden beds need to be filled, buying the soil according to the bag is more convenient to buy in batches (and not so chaotic).
Nevertheless, the soil departments of most garden centers still have dazzling choices. You will see bags marked with surface soil, garden soil, viaduct soil and potted mixture -only a few cases. The differences between these soil types are attributed to their composition:
topsoil
Basic surface soil is usually composed of clay and sand. They are dry and tough without any organic matter.
With less than $ 2 every 40 pounds, the basic surface soil is the cheapest choice, but it is necessary to use compost and other materials to modify it to make it suitable for growth.
High -quality surface soil
High -quality surface soil is the basic surface soil containing a small amount of forestry products (such as sawdust and pine dandruff), which helps the soil more structured. Some high -quality surface soil is mixed with a little peat moss to better water preservation.
Each 0.75 cubic foot bag is less than $ 3, which is a decent and cheap watch choice for garden beds.
Garden soil
Garden soil is more suitable for underground gardens, but it is also very suitable for high -priced garden beds filling.
Like high -quality surface soil, the garden soil contains peat moss and woody substances, but the number is more. The cost of bags per 0.75 cubic foot is about $ 4.
Garden beds soil
The newer products on the market are viaduct soil. It contains fine hard wood and a large amount of peat moss.
The 8 -cubic -foot bag is about $ 1.5, and its cost is roughly the same as the garden soil, but the proportion of peat moss is higher.
Irrigation mixture
Most potted mixtures are mainly composed of peat moss and different quantities of wood, vermiculite, perlite and fertilizer. It is usually very loose and fluffy, and it still drain well while keeping moisture.
Potted mixture is more suitable for container gardens, not suitable for filling the bottom of the garden beds.
The price of each 2.5 boasting bag is $ 10 or more, so this is also the most expensive way filled with viaducts.
Native soil
The cheapest surface soil and garden beds fillers are definitely the soil that exists in your property.
Only when the native soil is propagated without the spread of diseases and insect pests, the native soil is used on the garden beds.
You can evaluate the cultivation of the soil by squeezing. Deeply smelling. When it is wet and dry, cross it with his fingers.
Mainly the native soil of sand or clay can be mixed with a small amount of compost to improve the texture.
Feeling a good soil is a valuable skill for gardener learning. If you have any questions, you can test the N-P-K value, pH value, trace nutrients, soil texture and organic matter of the soil at any time.
Maste -50%
Mass compost is an absolutely essential part of a healthy soil, because it provides nutrients and microorganisms for gardens.
The rotten fertilizer is extremely fertilizer, and it will provide a series of trace and macro nutrients required for plant throbbing. It also restores the barren soil by regulating the soil, buffering pH, and improving water retention.
Self -made compost
Starting composting in your backyard is indeed the best way to obtain the highest quality.
By making compost, you will fully control which organic materials to use to feed pile. In this way, you can ensure that it is completely organic and clean.
And it is almost free!
The tons of domestic garbage can be converted into black gold. Using fast compost method, you can turn the kitchen and garden waste into finished compost in just 14 to 21 days.
For large -scale projects (such as filling a large number of garden beds), you will need to deal with quite a lot of organic materials to provide sufficient amount of compost.
Duo Ban's compost box is very suitable for generating a lot of compost in a short time. You need a lot of green and brown materials on hand to maintain good feeding and work.
Even so, it seems that there is never enough compost to walk around the garden. It is possible to add what you have with other sources.
Certification compost
Because composting plays a vital role in building a healthy soil, you need to ensure that what you use is real and fertile, and it is safe for the garden.
This is especially important when adding compost to the soil around edible plants. The compost you buy should be -at least in theory -enough delicious. Planting crops in bad compost may cause diseases or heavy metals to contaminate your planting food.
In order to let you have a high pillow, please use STA -certified compost to ensure quality. The certified compost is regularly tested and complied with specific quality and safety standards.
Earthworm dung
Earthworm dung-also known as worm casting or short for worm-in the stool-is another choice to create a good soil on an garden beds.
Like traditional compost, worm castings are rich in nutritional and beneficial microorganisms. When mixed with the surface soil, earthworm manure can improve the soil structure, ventilation and water holding capacity.
Starting worms is an interesting and charming sub -project that allows you to be in worms throughout the year. For smaller gardens and apartment residents, this is a good compost alternative because the worm can be located indoors.
Insect castings are more nutritious than traditional composts, and you may find a long way to go. Starting from about 30%of the worm casting, add it to the surface soil of the viaduct.
Earthworm manure can be used throughout the growth season, providing a considerable promotion for plants. By repairing around or between each plant.
You don't have to need a worm box to enjoy the benefits of earthworm dung. You can often find the sold in the center of the garden. If you can't find some locally, please check the trusted brand online-for example, Vermisterra's 10-pound earthworm casting.
Optional additional function -up to 20%
To truly customize your garden beds mixture, add additional organic matter at a speed of 5%to increase drainage, ventilation and/or water maintenance.
These ingredients are completely optional, but it will only improve the soil conditions in your final formula.
Leaf mold
The mildew plays the role of soil improvement agent, while also improving the moisturizing of the soil. It is free, it is easy to make yourself-how.
Peat moss peat moss
I don't know what to do, peat moss has the amazing ability to maintain moisture and assist in ventilation. Only when the surface soil you use contains rarely (or no) peat moss in the mixture, you add peat moss to your mixture. Too much can cause improper drainage of the growth medium, so it is best to use it in moderation.
It is also important to understand the impact of the use of peat moss on the environment, so you can make a wise decision on whether it is suitable for you.
coarse sand
Coarse sand (also known as Tsim Sha and Building Sand) helps soil drainage and ventilation. It is low in price and is very suitable for gardens in the rainwater environment. Poor drainage is a problem.
Perlite
Made of perlite is made of heating and expanding volcanic rocks. Like rough sand, perlite provides star drainage and aeration, but it is lighter and accommodate more air.
Vermiculite
Verion is a clay in the Yunmu family that promotes drainage and ventilation. Unlike perlite, it can also maintain moisture and nutrition.
Coconut fiber
Coconut coconut shells are more sustainable alternatives of peat moss, which helps keep the soil moist. Coconut coconut shells are a particularly useful correction when gardening in a dry and dry environment.
bio-charcoal
Products that heat organic waste in a airless environment, including biochand charcoal in the viaduct mixture, will improve the soil structure and water, and add a little nutrients. Learn from all the information about making biological charcoal here.
Root
The root of the root fungus has a symbiotic relationship with plants. When they are planted in the root, they provide nutrients for the root of the plant; the plant offers fungal carbohydrates to return. There should be a lot of root roots in high -quality surface soil, but if you have any questions, you can add more at any time.
How to fill your garden beds at a cheap price
Once the garden beds is built and all the ingredients of the soil are ready, you should start filling your implant box.
In addition to using native soil and homemade fertilizer, there is another smart way to fill your garden beds cheaply.
If you are filling a very deep garden beds, but planning shallow roots (such as lettuce, spinach, and strawberries), you can save soil by adding biodegradable fillers to the bottom of the bed.
Used unprocessed natural items, such as logs, branches, wool, cardboard or wood chips.
Mix the surface soil, compost and other soil components -keep them correctly allocated -add them to the garden beds at a time. When you reach the middle point, stir the soil mixture thoroughly. Repeat the remaining half.
Fill each bed within one or two inch on the top. Leave enough space and complete the bed with a spacious garden cover.
Keep a healthy soil
The root of the garden bed is a wise investment. In the long run, it will save you a lot of trouble. After all, there is no healthy plant without healthy soil!
In order to maintain a strong soil environment on the garden beds, nutrients are required every year.
The rotation of one year of crops, using plant tea to improve fertility, adding more compost compost and planting green fertilizer in winter is some natural methods for improving soil health.
But what do you use to fill it? Take a look...
The soil is not inertia and something without life.
The healthy soil is full of positive lives -most of them are invisible to the naked eye. Each table of fertile and fertile soil contains more organisms than humans on the earth!
Bacteria, algae, ground jackets, bacteria, native animals and nematodes are too small and invisible, but it is found that the crawling of earthworms and insects on the earth is a good signs of soil health and fertile.
The existence of microorganisms in the soil is beneficial in many aspects.
Bacteria and fungi in the soil promote nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter, so that plants absorb key nutrients.
They produce fudge substances, and improve the soil structure by combining clay, sand and silt particles. Just like the glue of nature, it can prevent the soil from being completely collapsed during treatment, washed away when it rains, or scattered like the sand in the wind.
As more and more soil particles are combined, they become larger groups, called soil gathering bodies. The space between the soil gathering collective creates a huge network and is connected by a wire -shaped fungus. These tiny tunnels allow air, water and nutrients to divert the soil.
Soil microorganisms are also natural defense against weeds, pests and diseases. They have the ability to change the characteristics of the soil itself by reducing the pH value and increasing the oxygen level near the soil surface. This creates an environment that is not suitable for unwanted plants and harmful bacteria.
The soil area around the plant root-called the root-is a really awesome place, which is worthy of our attention and care. The complex and almost invisible interaction between these underground creatures is part of all life as part of a larger soil food network.
How much soil do I need to fill my garden beds?
Filling up your garden bed is not necessarily guessing. There is a simple calculation that can accurately calculate how much materials do you need.
Use soil calculators to determine the volume of materials required for each garden bed.
Secret of healthy soil
Good soil is the cornerstone of healthy and multi -producing gardens. When you have to pay tribute to your growth medium by ensuring that it has a large number of biology, you will get a generous return in the vegetable field!
One of the major advantages of gardening on the garden bed is to completely control the quality and characteristics of the soil.
By starting in the empty bed, you can accurately choose the composition of the soil. This means that you can fine -tune your mixture to obtain the perfect organic growth medium that suits you specific biological communities.
The basic formula of fertile soil is very simple:
50%surface soil/50%compost
This simple and balanced recipe will have excellent results in the garden.
The ratio of 1: 1 can also be used as a starting point. Randomly repair and adjust the quantity to customize your mix.
For example, the rainy climate may want the soil to drain freely. People living in arid areas may give priority to keeping moisture.
Adjust the basic formula by adding a single correction with 5%increment, a total of up to 20%. This will make your final mixture close to 40%of the surface soil, 40%compost and 20%additional materials (we will introduce later).
Water -50%
Watching soil is a difficult thing to define.
Technically, it is the outermost soil on the surface of the earth, between 2 to 12 inches underground. Real surface soil is a very valuable material because it is rich in various living, dead and rotten organic matter.
However, because the surface soil does not have actual legal definition, the surface soil that can be purchased may not be "real", nor does it necessarily contain nutrients or microorganisms.
This is why the surface soil is more in volume filler in the garden beds. Because compost will be added to the mixture, you don't need to rely entirely on the surface soil to provide nutrients and soil microorganisms for plants.
Obtaining the best surface soil in the budget range is always wise. This will help build the overall health of the soil and provide a dreamy start for the raised garden.
Bumper soil
When you have multiple garden beds to be filled, buying the soil in batches is the most economical choice.
The bulk meter soil is purchased from cubic code. It is transported and stored somewhere on your property.
High -quality surface soil will have dark brown and soil texture. It should be clean, with screening, no debris.
When purchasing the soil for large projects, only the reputable garden greening company is used. Before buying, please visit the seller and squeeze the surface soil. Good surface soil should be kept together, but it will break when poking.
Beware of low -quality, naked surface soil, does not contain any organic matter. It is easy to spread when squeezing, basically just dirt.
Most sellers also offer watches mixed with composting, peat moss or black loam soil. As organic matter is added, the mixed surface soil will have a richer texture and good soil aroma.
Another thing to remember is that the surface soil must contain weed seeds. This is really incomparable, because the high temperature required to destroy all seeds will also kill any beneficial creatures in the soil.
Pocket soil
When you have only one or two raised garden beds need to be filled, buying the soil according to the bag is more convenient to buy in batches (and not so chaotic).
Nevertheless, the soil departments of most garden centers still have dazzling choices. You will see bags marked with surface soil, garden soil, viaduct soil and potted mixture -only a few cases. The differences between these soil types are attributed to their composition:
topsoil
Basic surface soil is usually composed of clay and sand. They are dry and tough without any organic matter.
With less than $ 2 every 40 pounds, the basic surface soil is the cheapest choice, but it is necessary to use compost and other materials to modify it to make it suitable for growth.
High -quality surface soil
High -quality surface soil is the basic surface soil containing a small amount of forestry products (such as sawdust and pine dandruff), which helps the soil more structured. Some high -quality surface soil is mixed with a little peat moss to better water preservation.
Each 0.75 cubic foot bag is less than $ 3, which is a decent and cheap watch choice for garden beds.
Garden soil
Garden soil is more suitable for underground gardens, but it is also very suitable for high -priced garden beds filling.
Like high -quality surface soil, the garden soil contains peat moss and woody substances, but the number is more. The cost of bags per 0.75 cubic foot is about $ 4.
Garden beds soil
The newer products on the market are viaduct soil. It contains fine hard wood and a large amount of peat moss.
The 8 -cubic -foot bag is about $ 1.5, and its cost is roughly the same as the garden soil, but the proportion of peat moss is higher.
Irrigation mixture
Most potted mixtures are mainly composed of peat moss and different quantities of wood, vermiculite, perlite and fertilizer. It is usually very loose and fluffy, and it still drain well while keeping moisture.
Potted mixture is more suitable for container gardens, not suitable for filling the bottom of the garden beds.
The price of each 2.5 boasting bag is $ 10 or more, so this is also the most expensive way filled with viaducts.
Native soil
The cheapest surface soil and garden beds fillers are definitely the soil that exists in your property.
Only when the native soil is propagated without the spread of diseases and insect pests, the native soil is used on the garden beds.
You can evaluate the cultivation of the soil by squeezing. Deeply smelling. When it is wet and dry, cross it with his fingers.
Mainly the native soil of sand or clay can be mixed with a small amount of compost to improve the texture.
Feeling a good soil is a valuable skill for gardener learning. If you have any questions, you can test the N-P-K value, pH value, trace nutrients, soil texture and organic matter of the soil at any time.
Maste -50%
Mass compost is an absolutely essential part of a healthy soil, because it provides nutrients and microorganisms for gardens.
The rotten fertilizer is extremely fertilizer, and it will provide a series of trace and macro nutrients required for plant throbbing. It also restores the barren soil by regulating the soil, buffering pH, and improving water retention.
Self -made compost
Starting composting in your backyard is indeed the best way to obtain the highest quality.
By making compost, you will fully control which organic materials to use to feed pile. In this way, you can ensure that it is completely organic and clean.
And it is almost free!
The tons of domestic garbage can be converted into black gold. Using fast compost method, you can turn the kitchen and garden waste into finished compost in just 14 to 21 days.
For large -scale projects (such as filling a large number of garden beds), you will need to deal with quite a lot of organic materials to provide sufficient amount of compost.
Duo Ban's compost box is very suitable for generating a lot of compost in a short time. You need a lot of green and brown materials on hand to maintain good feeding and work.
Even so, it seems that there is never enough compost to walk around the garden. It is possible to add what you have with other sources.
Certification compost
Because composting plays a vital role in building a healthy soil, you need to ensure that what you use is real and fertile, and it is safe for the garden.
This is especially important when adding compost to the soil around edible plants. The compost you buy should be -at least in theory -enough delicious. Planting crops in bad compost may cause diseases or heavy metals to contaminate your planting food.
In order to let you have a high pillow, please use STA -certified compost to ensure quality. The certified compost is regularly tested and complied with specific quality and safety standards.
Earthworm dung
Earthworm dung-also known as worm casting or short for worm-in the stool-is another choice to create a good soil on an garden beds.
Like traditional compost, worm castings are rich in nutritional and beneficial microorganisms. When mixed with the surface soil, earthworm manure can improve the soil structure, ventilation and water holding capacity.
Starting worms is an interesting and charming sub -project that allows you to be in worms throughout the year. For smaller gardens and apartment residents, this is a good compost alternative because the worm can be located indoors.
Insect castings are more nutritious than traditional composts, and you may find a long way to go. Starting from about 30%of the worm casting, add it to the surface soil of the viaduct.
Earthworm manure can be used throughout the growth season, providing a considerable promotion for plants. By repairing around or between each plant.
You don't have to need a worm box to enjoy the benefits of earthworm dung. You can often find the sold in the center of the garden. If you can't find some locally, please check the trusted brand online-for example, Vermisterra's 10-pound earthworm casting.
Optional additional function -up to 20%
To truly customize your garden beds mixture, add additional organic matter at a speed of 5%to increase drainage, ventilation and/or water maintenance.
These ingredients are completely optional, but it will only improve the soil conditions in your final formula.
Leaf mold
The mildew plays the role of soil improvement agent, while also improving the moisturizing of the soil. It is free, it is easy to make yourself-how.
Peat moss peat moss
I don't know what to do, peat moss has the amazing ability to maintain moisture and assist in ventilation. Only when the surface soil you use contains rarely (or no) peat moss in the mixture, you add peat moss to your mixture. Too much can cause improper drainage of the growth medium, so it is best to use it in moderation.
It is also important to understand the impact of the use of peat moss on the environment, so you can make a wise decision on whether it is suitable for you.
coarse sand
Coarse sand (also known as Tsim Sha and Building Sand) helps soil drainage and ventilation. It is low in price and is very suitable for gardens in the rainwater environment. Poor drainage is a problem.
Perlite
Made of perlite is made of heating and expanding volcanic rocks. Like rough sand, perlite provides star drainage and aeration, but it is lighter and accommodate more air.
Vermiculite
Verion is a clay in the Yunmu family that promotes drainage and ventilation. Unlike perlite, it can also maintain moisture and nutrition.
Coconut fiber
Coconut coconut shells are more sustainable alternatives of peat moss, which helps keep the soil moist. Coconut coconut shells are a particularly useful correction when gardening in a dry and dry environment.
bio-charcoal
Products that heat organic waste in a airless environment, including biochand charcoal in the viaduct mixture, will improve the soil structure and water, and add a little nutrients. Learn from all the information about making biological charcoal here.
Root
The root of the root fungus has a symbiotic relationship with plants. When they are planted in the root, they provide nutrients for the root of the plant; the plant offers fungal carbohydrates to return. There should be a lot of root roots in high -quality surface soil, but if you have any questions, you can add more at any time.
How to fill your garden beds at a cheap price
Once the garden beds is built and all the ingredients of the soil are ready, you should start filling your implant box.
In addition to using native soil and homemade fertilizer, there is another smart way to fill your garden beds cheaply.
If you are filling a very deep garden beds, but planning shallow roots (such as lettuce, spinach, and strawberries), you can save soil by adding biodegradable fillers to the bottom of the bed.
Used unprocessed natural items, such as logs, branches, wool, cardboard or wood chips.
Mix the surface soil, compost and other soil components -keep them correctly allocated -add them to the garden beds at a time. When you reach the middle point, stir the soil mixture thoroughly. Repeat the remaining half.
Fill each bed within one or two inch on the top. Leave enough space and complete the bed with a spacious garden cover.
Keep a healthy soil
The root of the garden bed is a wise investment. In the long run, it will save you a lot of trouble. After all, there is no healthy plant without healthy soil!
In order to maintain a strong soil environment on the garden beds, nutrients are required every year.
The rotation of one year of crops, using plant tea to improve fertility, adding more compost compost and planting green fertilizer in winter is some natural methods for improving soil health.