Topsoil question??

The quality of the topsoil will depend on where it has come from. If it was just dumped under the trees, then it will probably be fine to clean up and mix with the other ingredients. If it comes from under the pine trees long term, it is likely to be acidic and nutrient poor - not necessarily a bad thing but it will need additional nutrients adding (a general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone?) and may affect certain types of crop that prefer a more neutral pH soil.

Nice raised bed by the way! I had a similar problem last year when I bought two large raised beds to put flowers/shrubs in alongside my neighbours garage - I was astounded by how much compost was needed. Needless to say, after a year, it has compacted even further and now needs topping up.

I agree with GeoDave on the pine tree affect. I used a mixture of topsoil and compost in my raised beds with extra sharp sand for the ones I uses for carrots. It's worked well but it is important to check the ph and getting that right. I've got four - two brick and two recycled plastic. Yours looks great; I like the liner.

[Sorry if you already know all this.] Adding lime is fairly easy to get soil to neutral for most vegetables. I use dolomite limestone I buy in bulk [cheaper] because I have Earthboxes as well and they take two cupfuls of it every season to keep the compost ph neutral. It does take a bit of time to work.

Hi All, As always many thanks for your replies. I think from what I've been told this soil has just been piled up under the tree as a place to dump it!

As stated above current ingredients in the bed so far are:-

1. 4" of rotted manure at the bottom of the bed,
2. 2 large bin fulls of home made (kitchen waste) compost,
3. At least 12 bags of shop bought compost,
4. 8 bags of shop bought topsoil,
5. 1 bag of sharp sand
6. half a bag of gravel/grit.

This other topsoil will be to add a bit more depth, bulk and structure to the current ingredients!! I'm presuming that even if the PH is out a bit the other ingredients should help to balance it out or do you think I would still need to add some lime as suggested?

For reference I will be growing Carrots, Spring Onions and some Salad Crops I should think....

Thanks

Higgy

Hi Higgy how's things, long time no see!! I am lucky enough to be near a Mushroom farm, and I got a trailer load 8x4 raised sides for €20.00 a bargain ,They are only to pleased to get rid of it ,apparently they only use it for so long and then have to replace it,no problem with it, as its sterilized in the plant, Gill say's its brilliant on her veggie beds

It would be worth a phone call or 2 to find out

Regards Mick

Higgy, I dont want to add to your worries over amounts of soil but did you see Gardener's World last night where Rachel De Thame got a load of children to walk over the raised beds to compact it down before starting to prepare the soil surface.

hi Higgy

woulldn't use that topsoil for the raised box. can't you use topsoil from your garden and fill the hole with your friends topsoil

 Ray

Hi Higgy50 why dont you ring your local council, and ask them if they have any composted material, that you could have, they will normaly give this free and it is really good well rotted and full of nutriants. good digging Alan