peapod
gardener
Zone 4, acidic soil, and sandy loam that I have worked on for 4 years. Fixing the bad stuff.
Posts: 175
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Post by peapod on Apr 22, 2009 20:17:41 GMT -5
I am wondering if any of you fine folks can suggest what I can use as a soil for my mom's very raised garden bed. My mom has very debilitating arthritis and is unable to do quite a bit of bending and weeding and such. Holding a pen or pencil can be though at times for her. So I have made a garden bed for her out of Cedar. The walls are 8' x 3.5 x 8 inches.
I am planting in the garden tomatoes ( heirloom variety) peppers ( also heirloom) Herbs of sorts bunching onions fingerling carrots cucumbers ( a mini variety that will be trellised) a few green bean plants peas and greens such as lettuce etc
Is there any kind of formula that I ought to use for soil for this bed. It will have a bottom to it because it will be raised just over 3 feet. My husband is a Carpenter and will do all of the figuring for weight and such...
Thanks for the soil help.
Peapod
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Post by canadamike on Apr 22, 2009 20:44:24 GMT -5
I would mix old manure in the soil and mix it as it is, then, on top of it to bring it up, or at least the last 4 inches, I would use compost or very old manure without weeds and peat moss, with some lime or wood ashes. Then mulch once planted. I do that often in raised beds, covering with peat moss and something else than soil, and it makes everything very easy.
The few weeds that will make it through the 4 top inches will be very easy to pull. And the soil under it is porous and light too...
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peapod
gardener
Zone 4, acidic soil, and sandy loam that I have worked on for 4 years. Fixing the bad stuff.
Posts: 175
|
Post by peapod on Apr 22, 2009 21:27:17 GMT -5
Thanks CanadaMike. I picked up some peat moss and lime today with that in mind. She'll have better maters than me I suppose.
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Post by fulenn on Apr 22, 2009 21:51:53 GMT -5
This is such a good thing you are doing for her. Everyone should have the chance to grow things. Fulenn
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 23, 2009 5:32:21 GMT -5
I'm with Fulenn, you're doing a great thing. I suggest to limit to stuff she likes and plenty of herbs. I say plenty of herbs because they will take the place of weeds in future and they will help keep bug populations down. Additionally, they are healthy and tasty. A handful of various herbs washed, chopped, and tossed in with a beaten egg then cooked into a quick omelet makes a great and VERY fast meal.
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