the kongdan foundation

Yesterday we talked about how to build our raised beds. Today we want to talk about the next step. We talked about the size of lumber to use, spacing and how the sun and shade would impact would we decide to grow. After building our raised beds we need to decide what to put in them for best results. I like to use a ratio of two parts soil to one part compost for best results. Mix it well before adding to the raised bed. Water the soil thoroughly after filling the raised bed.

 I set aside a raised bed for chicken manure and food waste from the kitchen and mix it thoroughly with garden waste. This will be compost for next year’s growing cycle. Some people use a garden bin to compost. I like to turn it regularly. This works best for me. I like to keep it covered with wire to keep the animals out.  

Using compost is not only good for raised beds, but it is critical for raised bed gardening. Adding compost to your raised garden bed provides many advantages for your plants, other than being a food source. Raised bed gardening is like micro-climate growing environment for your plants. The City of Springfield has a lot of good information about composting and recycling. Check it out. I do the Dish to Dirt program. But use almost all the kitchen waste for my own garden. 

Compost in raised beds offers the following advantages: 

• Nutrient supply. The compost is a ready supply of easily accessible food for the growing plants.  

• Introduction of micro-organisms. Compost can introduce beneficial organisms into the growing medium that help plants uptake nutrients and supports root health. 

• Aeration of the growing medium. Plant roots need access to air, which is usually supplied by gaps and pockets in the soil. Adding un-sifted compost with varying-sized particles helps to increase the air space in the earth, giving the roots access to oxygen. 

• Moisture retention. Compost in the growing medium provides moisture retention, preventing the soil from drying too quickly and reducing the amount of water needed. 

Using topsoil alone is not a good strategy for raised bed gardening because it has several limitations. The cost can be problematic, and topsoil is not the best solution for optimum fertility. 

In the past I have used a shade cloth with hoops over a raised bed if cold weather and freezing may harm my plants in early Spring. I can also leave the plants in the greenhouse until warmer weather arrives.