Is Soil any Good!!!!

andrewjwalsh · « **on:** February 21, 2008, 19:10 »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2008, 19:25 »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2008, 19:31 »

Thanks for the info Whippet!!

WhippetMaster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2008, 19:34 »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2008, 21:45 »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2008, 07:24 »

Hi Trillium,

I shall give that a try!

chrissie B · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2008, 08:32 »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2008, 08:44 »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2008, 15:08 »

Thanks for all your advice everyone!

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