Raised beds over an area that had fungal issues?
nancyjane_gardener
3 years ago
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daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJohn D Zn6a PIT Pa
3 years agoRelated Discussions
What to put in the bottom of a raised bed in a wet area?
Comments (12)Thanks for the help everyone! To Wayne and Mark- Yep, this is the low area already where we have channeled water so that it no longer makes a stream in our basement. Local lore says that my neighborhood was built on swampland filled in after the Civil War- everyone has water issues so we are just grateful we finally got it under control and out of the basement. To glib, jonhughes, and Nancy- Thanks for the encouragement. I am able to grow mint, dinner plate hibiscus, regular hibiscus, irises, and other moisture lovers right in the ground here, so your posts give me hope that by raising the beds I can make use of the sun for some veggies too. glib- I like the idea of improving the soil by adding worm "food". I have no idea if this helps but whenever I start a new bed I dig a bunch of worms out of my compost heap and throw them in. I also add a few worms to all my big containers when I am filling them in the spring. I hinted hard for a worm composter for Valentine's Day, but, alas, I got a necklace instead. My hubby still doesn't buy the fact that I really would find it more romantic to get garden stuff than traditional girly presents! I think I'm going to try starting with a layer of gravel, then lots of leaves and mulberrybranches, then soil mix on top of that and see how it goes. I wonder if I can add something that would wick moisture up into the soil to make use of the standing water and keep my waterbill down?...See MoreRaised flower bed and drainage issues...
Comments (4)Hi James, I was wondering if those steps are new concrete steps and if the house was tuckpointed recently before you bought it? The reason I ask is that there appears to be some very recent work done in those areas that you are having problems with (notice the lighter color of the mortar in the joints of the brick surrounded by darker mortar joints in picture 3). Was there settling around the steps and was the footer replaced or were the stairs just re-pointed with new slabs layed for the treads? I also see a long vertical joint that looks like it was caulked near your family room. You may have some deeper settling issues that were camouflaged with some touch ups. I would like to advise you to call a bricklayer in to see if there is a problem that you may need to worry about with the foundation walls. You may have already addressed the issue permanently by diverting the water. But I would advise checking into it with a professional before you do any more work around that section of the house. An estimate will not cost you but you will have some peace of mind before you invest any more time, effort and energy into it....See MoreRaised beds over grass?
Comments (13)I strongly advise against putting down a cloth weed barrier. Your plants will do much better if they have access the the soil below. With a barrier, you're just making a giant container. I've been spending the last 5 years covering about 5,000 sq ft of weedy lawn with garden beds. I cut the grass short with a lawn mower, lay down cardboard on top of it, cover with 3-4 inches of soil and mulch. I get very few weeds popping through. Definitely with 18" of soil over the top of your lawn, the grass won't survive. Line the bottom with cardboard or paper grocery bags if you'd like, but be sure it's something that will decompose. Dump your dirt on top. Many vegetable plants, such as tomatoes, have deep roots, and that decomposed grass will give you a good bounty later in the summer....See MoreWho had that beautiful raised bed garden last year?
Comments (17)Oh wow, I'm so flattered that someone other than me remembers and loves my garden! I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth, but it's winter and all, so I took a break. Now I am looking at seed catalogs and drooling and plan to try my hand at winter sowing any time now. My husband has got it into his head that he wants to build a new house....Which means moving. I worked so hard on my garden and it will be even nicer this year. I surrounded the edges with blueberry and blackberry bushes last fall! So I am kind of annoyed. We love our land but dislike our house. Our dear neighbor (Kelleyp's Mom) has been in the ICU since new year's eve after a series of seizures and strokes. So my mind has been everywhere BUT on my garden, and I am afraid to put much more work into it only to have to leave it :( Although...it would be nice to leave the root know nematodes behind!!! I have about ten million pics of my garden, I'll find a couple more! Jo...See Morenancyjane_gardener
3 years agodaninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJoJo (Nevada 9A)
3 years agonancyjane_gardener
3 years agonancyjane_gardener
2 years agoJohn D Zn6a PIT Pa
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agonancyjane_gardener thanked John D Zn6a PIT Panancyjane_gardener
2 years agodaninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agodaninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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JoJo (Nevada 9A)