| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 06:49:02 AM
Hey gals...having some concerns about my 3 raised beds. This past summer, I had more weeds than I've ever had--after a time, I just gave in and let them take over. Before they took over, the crops weren't that great, either, and it seemed like the soil was rather hard, even though I saw worms moving freely about.
This winter, what can I do to help these beds? I'm bound and determined to have a better gardening season, and now that Violet is almost 2, I should be able to work there a little more freely.
Can I lay manure out in them right now?
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Dec 28 2010 : 5:12:26 PM
Square foot Gardner has some excellent ideas about raised beds, the web site is easy to get to or get the book from the library. Basiclly it is just about adding compost. It was a big help to me when I started my raised beds. In the fall I add all the stuff from my chicken coop and so far so good. Good luck
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Dec 28 2010 : 2:16:28 PM
Did you girls hear that the FDA is trying to pass regulations against Home Grown Vegetable Gardens?
I read this about 3 months ago on The Drudge Report because they don't feel they can monitor the
quality of the produce out of our gardens...which puts people at risk if you share your vegetables
with others or sell them at a Farmers Market. Oh, that made me so mad! The Government just wants to
control everything. Think it pays us all to stay informed so we can fight it at the local level first and foremost before it gets way out of control. Home Gardens...goes way beyond their jurisdiction don't you
think?
Blessings,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
http://pegsmiles7.wordpress.com
http://www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com/PeggySmithsStudio.html#
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have." |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 28 2010 : 07:30:00 AM
Marjorie, that's EXACTLY what's happening to mine, here in Kentucky. Started out wonderfully, then 2 years have gone by and "poof" all hopes seemed to be dashed.
I think I'll take yours (and Alee's and Peg's advise) and get these beds reworked. I'm also going to sign up for a local CSA since I don't forsee many good things coming from my beds this season, and it's important to me to have good, fresh food on the table.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Arctic Flower |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 6:08:45 PM
Hey ladies, I had the same problem. I have 14 raised beds and they were growing enough chickweed and shepards purse to fill up my composter daily. So, we put straw about 5 inches thick on the beds really packing it down. We did put compost on the beds before the straw. When it was time to garden I transplanted through the straw. Voila, no chickweed, moisture retention was incredible, the vegetables grew great and the straw is nicely composting into the beds now. That was 2 years ago. I live in a cold climate and the ground doesn't warm up that much but this method seems to be working great for us. In warmer climates I would suspect this would work too but would need to be replaced more often. Good luck.
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 10:52:42 AM
Jonni...I have a raised vegetable garden and Alee's advice is really good. I have found that new topsoil every year helps as well as using organic compost from my own kitchen and coffee grounds from our local Starbucks (which they give free to gardeners all you have to do is ask for it). Good Luck and Happy Gardening!
blessings,
~peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
http://pegsmiles7.wordpress.com
http://www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com/PeggySmithsStudio.html#
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have." |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 09:23:10 AM
Jonni-
It sounds like you are running into one of the problems of raised beds- there is a lot of chance for moisture and nutrients to flow out the bottom. I would infuse your beds with manure now, work it in really well come spring and try to infuse as much organic matter as possible. Unfortunatly, in true raised beds the soil really needs to be cycled and have a lot of organic top dressing every year. You might also want to mulch the top really heavily. Good luck! I am fighting that battle with my in-ground garden here too!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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