Getting dirt ready for planting? Need Advice...

[John Gusmano]

Fellas,

It’s almost time (although it may not look like it outside) to start thinking about preparing our gardens. Now, I do all of mine in raised beds, and I’m curious on what YOUR methods are for layering. I will have plenty of fertilizer, and hopefully some decent compost. I’m also going to need to order some dirt to fill the beds with.

I guess my question is, is there any order that you guys layer your beds in? Example: Dirt, fertilizer, dirt, compost, dirt, etc.) OR, do you just mix everything all together.

I’m really looking to get as much out of my gardens this year as possible, any advice on any gardening techniques will be extremely helpful! Thanks in advance Swampers!!!!

[Deleted]

I won't be of much help. I have a farmer dump 4 ton of cow poop in mine, in the fall each year, then till it in. Makes for some great soil though for growing.
Here in the next month, I will be laying down a thick layer of salt over my asparagus beds.

[hoseromon]

Your fish remains after cleaning fish work good and coffee grounds if you can get enough of them.

[rendezvous]

Feb 27, 2015 21:29:07 GMT -5 hoseromon said:

Your fish remains after cleaning fish work good and coffee grounds if you can get enough of them.

Egg shells too...

[histopicker]

When making raised beds I put down a layer of dead leaves first, about 4" deep. Everything else goes on top of that. Here is how a friend of mine did it this year.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCzbyCRciVk

[gator]

I've been planting in raised beds about ten yrs. and i dont do anything special, i build a 4 by 8 foot box, at least 10" high, and poly one side for the bottom, next, drill 1/2 inch holes in the bottom edge of the box,2" up from the bottom,12" apart for drainage, then put a layer of leaves, and fill with compost from the local dump, sometimes this needs to be screened to remove large debris,1/2" hardware cloth on a 4 by4 foot frame works nicely.then i plant, using the cooperative planting method( beans and peas produce nitrogen, so plant them with nitro users like broccoli, brussel sprouts or cabbage)also, i mulch my beds with grass clippings(2-3"), and fertilize with a liquid fert. once a week until the plants are a foot or so high. A journal is a good idea, and always rotate your crops, this helps prevent spreading diseases.and the journal helps track rotations. Also, seed storing is highly recamended, and easily doon for many plant species like beans and peas, even tomatoes.thus reducing start up cost.

[John Gusmano]

Thank you for the in depth response! Welcome to the swamp my friend, have a karma!