Raised bed - year 2

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Markymark, Apr 2, 2013.

  1. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Having had success last year (sort of) I am leaving my sowing for another few weeks as it is still freezing up here in Liverpool. I am growing potatoes, broad beans and broccoli in bags again as these were brilliant! What I just need to know is what do I need to add to my 1m square raised bed before sowing this year? I have been out today, turned over the soil from last year and am not sure what I need to do to the soil in terms of 'adding stuff' so that this year's veg grow well. Could someone let me know? I have put my pastic cover on to try and warm up the soil for the next couple of weeks and just want to make sure I get some goodness into the soil before starting again. Hope all that makes sense! :-)
    This time last year I had sweet peas and runner beans growing! This year, no chance! Snowed today!
     
  2. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Some "Growmore" (general fertiliser) applied a couple of weeks before sowing / planting, and incorporated into the surface (hoeing will do).

    You could dig in well rotted manure, or compost, but best not to use manure if you are growing roots like Carrots / Parsnips.

    I dig a trench for my Potatoes, line it with well rotted manure, plant the spuds into that, and then backfill the trench.

    Broad Beans won't need any Nitrogen-based fertiliser as they "make their own" Nitrogen. If all you have is Growmore than apply that as per other crops, and if you have Manure / Compost you want to dig in that's fine (it will improve the soil and help retain moisture), but they will probably be happy without much help.

    You should aim not to grow the same crop in the same soil as last year - rotate the crops round; there are various "families" of vegetables which can be grown together as they need similar conditions, but which should be rotated round each year to avoid disease building up, and so that the nutrients they take out of the soil vary from year to year - have a search for "Crop Rotation"
     
  3. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Brrr-illiant! Thanks for that... Will get going. Just got up to another freezing, frost-covered morning...
     
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