Preparation for raised beds.

I have bought and assembled two small raised beds. These will go on my lawn. Haven't yet decided what I will put in them but I am thinking: Broccoli, beet, onions, round carrots maybe.

How tall do sweet corn grow? Cherry toms may Luke being under the cover.

Anyway - what I need to know is what is best.

1) put compost straight in on top of lawn

2) try and dig up or kill off of the grass and then put the compost in

3) use a weed sheet or old compost bags as a screen.

Or is there another way?

Thank you in advance.

 

Pics of the raised beds.

 

Ooooh 6ft. I am right in thinking cucumber and courgette also grow tall.

I am planning what will go where once I start to plant seedlings.

Ok - turn over the grass and place compost on top. Going through so much compost. Lucky to have B&Q, an independent flower centre and a local farm shop within a 5 min drive.

Thank you.

 

Courgette kind of creep along the ground as they grow, I grew them last year and took up loads of space, but got fruit daily from 2 plants. Cucumber you need to stake though as far as I know they grow upwards.

My sweetcorn last year grew to just over 6 foot. But I unknowingly picked a variety that only had 1 cob on :(

This year I am growing F1 Earlybird which should have more than 1 cob on and grow to about 6 foot and F1 minipop which should grow to about 4 foot.

 

Hi. Its only when you start you begin to realise how much more there is to consider. Going to GYO workshop at my plant centre a week on su day. I have so many questions for the poor bugger taking the workshop!!!!

Curious to go ho.e and find out the type of corn I planted. Back in an hour when I know.

 

I pretty much agree with John. I would add I think it would help to fork through the earth once you have removed the turf. This would also raise the level of earth, so not quite so much compost will be needed, although over time the level will settle back down. I wouldn't bother with Broccoli, too big.
What type of compost are you thinking of? If it were me, I'd be looking at maybe a 50/50 mix of Multi-purpose and topsoil. Hope this helps

 

Thanks again for the replies. Is compost on its own not good? Its what I am growing potatoes, carrots, beets, strawberries etc in. Or is this a size thing and that big container/beds need a mix?

 

The problem (as I see it) is that MPC on it's own will need replacing year on year because of it's inability to hang on to nutrients. It will also require more watering, imo.

 

Aaaahhhhh - that makes sense. Where as potatoes and carrots etc are not a perm feature.

Garden centre again tomorrow.

Thanks

 

I've used topsoil (bagged) from B&Q, it was fine