[Flyin Chickens]

What am I best to fill my raised bed with? and how much will I need (8'x4'x10")

Thanks

ian

[nellie.b]

Using home made compost would be best,but failing that we are going to Wickes to get some compost and top soil.we noticed it was on special offer so we thought we would try it.

[PAULW]

Dig out the top soilto a spit deep fill with well rotted manure and chuck the top soil back on the top of that

[Flyin Chickens]

does anyone have any ideas on how much I would need?

I will need to buy the majority (have some that can be moved from the chicken area but not alot.

How much does 25L cover??

Is £2.44 for 25L from Wickes a good price?

Thanks

[DIGGER]

Sounds a bit expensive, i'm sure that you can get 3  70lt bags at Wyevale for £10

[Eatyourgreens]

You don't actually need to "Fill" raised beds, they actually evolved from medieval "No dig beds" that would have a bit of wicker work around a bed as a "Keep off" sign, once it is dug it will naturally be higher than the surrounding land (If you didn't take off tons of soil in getting rid of the weeds/grass).

Over the coming years, as long as you dig in plenty of organics each year and plant from pots full of compost so adding soil, the ground will rise naturally, and you will be very disappointed just how little the ground of an 10x4 bed would rise by adding a 25 or even 125 litres of compost.

I am lucky I am just putting in 5 12 x 4 beds (Also 8 inches deep) and a farmer friend his bringing me round a trailers worth of topsoil, but if that hadn't been the case, I would be going the unraised, raised bed route and let them raise over time.

By the way Lidl are doing 40 litres for £1.99.


Bob

[scotty]

shame your not near me. we have a well rotted muckheap...refrase mountain of horse manure. i filled my beds with this, no top soil as didn't have any.

anyone near feel free to come and help yourselves.....yes there is loads!

[Flyin Chickens]

Any kind hearted farmers in the warrington area???


Well if you don't ask you don't get!!!!

[alfman]

 you could try what I did Ian, I took out soil from the surrounding area 6" down and 18" around and stick that in your raised bed. that way you end up with a bed 12" higher than the surrounding area.
 

[celjaci]

I've made several raised beds, then dug out some of the top soil from the paths in between (too good to waste) and used it to fill the beds. The paths were then made up with woodchip (free from tree surgeon )

[outmowed]

Looks like your going to need quite a lot, if you buy it in bags it will cost you a fortune. I would get it delivered loose from your local builders merchant, maybe start with half a ton and see where that gets you. I bought that amount today for twelve Quid.

[outmowed]

Soil that is 

[SG6]

See if your local council has compost for sale, they oftan do and you can buy it by volume. They make it from the recycled/compostable stuff we throw out for them.