[Carmen7878]

I have raised beds (x 3) which have never been 'fed' since I initially filled them with organic compost from the garden centre. I think that after significantly poorer results this summer its time to give them some TLC.

I obviously need a quick fix so getting and rotting down manure for next year isn't the best of options for me.

I also seem to have a drainage problem and 2 of my beds, now that they are just sitting there over winter seem to be growing moss on top of the soil which I assume is a bad thing

Any advice on either issue would be much appreciated!

[peapod]

Can you get hold of already rotted manure Carmen? Thatll definately help with the drainage issue, and is the very best thing you can do for your all round problem. Though, of course, if you are planning on growing carrots/snips then that wont help the crop.
You could dig in plenty of Blood,fish and bone and add some more organic compost, and you can also add some grit/sand to help with drainage, and digging in used growbag/container compost will help the structure too.

Paula

[peterjf]

ive had hot beds for 3 yrs , each bed is 16 inches deep , bottom layer horse manure 4 inches deep , 2nd sifted soil , 3rd layer horse manure,
final layer sifted soil , then 3-4 inches of dry straw , water the lot about 20 gallons and then cover for one week with plastic sheeting , take off the sheet and 20 gallons again , plant the next day , you will feel the heat from the straw , its worked for us for 3 yrs , good luck

[pushrod]

I have raised beds (x 3) which have never been 'fed' since I initially filled them with organic compost from the garden centre. I think that after significantly poorer results this summer its time to give them some TLC.

I obviously need a quick fix so getting and rotting down manure for next year isn't the best of options for me.

I also seem to have a drainage problem and 2 of my beds, now that they are just sitting there over winter seem to be growing moss on top of the soil which I assume is a bad thing

Any advice on either issue would be much appreciated!

as already mentioned grit and / or sand for the drainage

A quick fix for the feed would be dig in some 6x manure available from many  garden centres

the other thing is it is probably worth raking in some growmore through the growing season just to stop nutrients being depleted too quickly

[DD.]

ive had hot beds for 3 yrs , each bed is 16 inches deep , bottom layer horse manure 4 inches deep , 2nd sifted soil , 3rd layer horse manure,
final layer sifted soil , then 3-4 inches of dry straw , water the lot about 20 gallons and then cover for one week with plastic sheeting , take off the sheet and 20 gallons again , plant the next day , you will feel the heat from the straw , its worked for us for 3 yrs , good luck

The hot beds topic is a different thread, Peter.

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=28806

[coatesi]

Carmen
            The moss on top is a sign of 'sour' soil and if you add manure, a good dressing of lime and rough dig over, when the time comes for you to plant out it will be sweet. :thumright:
    We tend to keep adding compost and manure but without lime to break it down the nutrients are not fully released.
    My 2c (2p in your language) worth.
Coatesi

[Salmo]

Is the ground under your beds compacted. It might help to push a fork in and wriggle it to break it up in a similar fashion to spiking lawns.

[noshed]

Don't put on growmore or BF&B until about 2 weeks before you're going to sow/plant. It will just get washed out otherwise.
Apart from that, as everyone else advises, some form of compost, rotted manure is what you need. Pile it on roughly and fork it in in a month or so.

[Yorkie]

Just to say that you shouldn't add manure and lime at the same time.  One is acidic, the other alkaline, and there's a chemical reaction between the two ...

[SG6]

My veg bed didn't do too well so I dug in quantities of pelleted chicken manure at the end of last year. I didn't really have the ability to add much more depth so that seemed easier.

Will have to see how it goes. :?

[Griffo]

I have raised beds (3 years now) and I add rotted manure, compost, leaf mould, chicken pellets, BF&B - you name it! I work on a 4 year rotation basis.

My beds drain OK but we are plagued by moss here (various sorts). Surely, in view of the above, my soil can't be 'sour' can it??

[Carmen7878]

Thanks for all your replies, sorry for my slowness in responding!!

I have done a garden centre run today and purchased a large tub of BF&B, 10 small bags of JA Bowers grit sand and 4 x50 lt bags of New Horizon Soil  Improver for Veg Beds.

Will this help do you think??

[noshed]

Can't do any harm. I'd put the grit in now and leave the rest until just before you're planting.