[andrewjwalsh]

Hi,

I removed the turf from the last quarter of my garden in order to clear some ground for raised beds. The removed turf was turned grass down and has been left for two weeks. The raised beds I have made are 9" high - my question is Can I use this soil for the first 2" in the beds? and should I weedkiller the 2 " then in a week or so fill the bed up with various compost mixtures??

Any advice is most appreciated!!

[WhippetMaster]

I have just completed a similar project. Turn the turfs up and put at the bottom of the bed. Cover with a mixture of manure, topsoil, sand and I used "Zoo Poo"  to add some substance. I'm new and every one else says not to use too much manure if you plan to grow carrots etc.

The turfs will rot down providing nutrients for your crops.

Cover for a month to prevent weed growth and then plant in March!!!

If you can find seaweed then cut it up and use in the base as well.

[andrewjwalsh]

Thanks for the info Whippet!!

[WhippetMaster]

Oh and the weed killer use depends on how much of it you want to eat!!

I am trying to avoid it entirely and go organic got a 4 and 6 year old to think about!!

[Trillium]

I agree Whippetmaster. So many chemical weed killers are getting banned due to their carcinogenic effects that you'll definitely want to decide what and how much you use. Layering several thicknesses of newspaper over the turned turfs first will help suffocate the weeds.

[andrewjwalsh]

Hi Trillium,

I shall give that a try!

[chrissie B]

when i dug a couple of extra small beds i just threw all the soil , grass top layer on my compost seemed a shame to waste the soil .
Chrissie b

[compostqueen]

Clods of grassy soil do rot down surprisingly quickly either stacked upside down or in the compo bin (I'm thinking a plastic dalek type ones which are hottterer than the pallet ones) or just compo heaps

[andrewjwalsh]

Thanks for all your advice everyone!