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Raised bed about 20' x 81/2' was done last season with stone. Have 8 plants in there from last year. I am getting a mix of mostly shade perennials and ground cover, and a few evergreens and small shrubs to try to see what does well in this heavy shade spot in upstate NY.
The current level of soil is about 4" from the top of the small stone wall making up this bed. Was considering making the soil more like 1" from the top of the wall. Cubic yard calculator with 20' x 8' and 3" depth gives around 1.5 cubic yards needed for this area.
-How close to the top of the raised bed barrier is the soil level typically?
-Wondering if 1/3 top soil, 1/3 compost (composted manure?), 1/3 peat moss would be a good mix?
-Having top soil/compost delivered and dumped in the driveway has a lot of different prices, is this more of a multiple bag scenario? (about 41 cubic feet in 1.5 cubic yards)
-Some deliver compost, but composted manure?
I would use bags since you only need to raise the height 2 inches. The top soil really adds nothing for your plants. I don't know about the manure compost because I use Mushroom compost from Lowe's or Walmart. I would use 3 parts compost to 1 part peat moss unless you have very dry conditions there. I hope this helps.
Read somewhere (general internet search on mushroom compost) that mushroom compost is not all its cracked up to be and steer manure compost has somewhere around 3 times the nutrients? Something about chemicals also?
Found, a local to this property, landscape supplier that has topsoil, compost (not sure what type of compost),mulches, and something they call premium blend. For the 41 cubic ft. I'll need it's way cheaper to buy by the cubic yard. If I got lowes mushroom compost at $3.00/cu./ft. bag . To make the mushroom compost 2/3 of my mix I'd need 28 of these 1cu./ft bags. costing $84.00. 1 cu. yard (27 cu./ft.) of this companies compost delivered is $32.00.
I would skip the peat moss...it does not add any nutrient quality to the mix and the harvesting process reportedly damages the environment. I would use compost, quality garden soil, and possibly manure.
A lot of work on this raised bed project...hope to start another thread with progress pictures...
Got a 4 cu. yrd. top soil delivery dumped in the driveway (topsoil. as the companies compost was not "ready" and needed further screening. They stated that the top soil had some compost mixed in and would be fine for growing
I'm concerned and annoyed with myself for not sticking with my original thoughts of mostly compost and some topsoil (originally wanted 3.5 yrds. total, with mix of 2.5 being compost and 1 topsoil)
The topsoil that I purchased, when being shoveled and wheel barreled from the side driveway to the back raised bed. At times has big hunks of what to me seems like clay. Some chunks were taken in hand and can be broken/crumbled up.
-Am I dealing with clay soil -heavy clay, problem soil?
-Already added about 8 cu. ft. total of peat moss (bags) This 1" layer was added approximately 4" deep from where the surface layer of topsoil will be. With 1' to 2 " more of topsoil still to add, Should any other soil amendments be made?
Put some more though into this, and am considering some options.
Thinking maybe slight raised bed up the side fence where pachasandra (spelling) is with the remaining top soil. Wood border or some smaller sized stone are both possible. Not too high or thick/heavy as other stone wall.
-Then I could purchase 1cu.yrd. compost from the company I got topsoil (this would allow aproximately 1" layer over entire raised beds (stone back and side fence) maybe 2" in some separate areas.
This with 2 more bag's of peat moss would give me a 2" top layer of peat/compost mix
A1/2 and 1/2 mix of topsoil and compost in some areas
-Add aprox. 9 cu.ft worth of bags of composted manure and that gives the whole area another 1/2" on composty good stuff?
-Add a small amount of sand to the 1cu. yrd. of compost order? drainage reasons? I know it's recommended at times for clay soil, but clay and sand is scary like it makes cement?
