Hi. I just installed a 7L x 4W x 1H foot vegetable bed in my garden (on
top of aerated grass). The borders of the bed are made of redwood. I am
now trying to develop the soils in the bed and am a bit confused as to
what types of compost, soils, etc. I should use. I am working towards
an organic garden, so I don't want to use any artificial chemicals. So
far I have general potting soil and something called "Redwood Soil
Conditioner," which looks like redwood-derived mulch and is rather dry.

What other types of soils, composts, or fertilizers would you recommend
I use? How long should I let the soil develop before I start planting
my vegetables?

I'm starting this garden rather late, but I'd like to also know what
types of vegetables I can successfully plant this time of year.

Thanks!

HS

Forgot to mention that I am in Los Angeles, and the bed is situated in
a spot with full sunlight about 7-9 hours a day.

HS.

Her Subj. wrote:
Hi. I just installed a 7L x 4W x 1H foot vegetable bed in my garden (on
top of aerated grass). The borders of the bed are made of redwood. I am
now trying to develop the soils in the bed and am a bit confused as to
what types of compost, soils, etc. I should use. I am working towards
an organic garden, so I don't want to use any artificial chemicals. So
far I have general potting soil and something called "Redwood Soil
Conditioner," which looks like redwood-derived mulch and is rather dry.

What other types of soils, composts, or fertilizers would you recommend
I use? How long should I let the soil develop before I start planting
my vegetables?

I'm starting this garden rather late, but I'd like to also know what
types of vegetables I can successfully plant this time of year.

Thanks!

HS

"Her Subj." wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi. I just installed a 7L x 4W x 1H foot vegetable bed in my garden (on
top of aerated grass). The borders of the bed are made of redwood. I am
now trying to develop the soils in the bed and am a bit confused as to
what types of compost, soils, etc. I should use. I am working towards
an organic garden, so I don't want to use any artificial chemicals. So
far I have general potting soil and something called "Redwood Soil
Conditioner," which looks like redwood-derived mulch and is rather dry.

What other types of soils, composts, or fertilizers would you recommend
I use? How long should I let the soil develop before I start planting
my vegetables?

you can put anything organic into a garden bed and it will break down, it
really depends on how quickly you want to start planting. Filling a raised
bed with existing garden soil will allow you to plant almost immediately. If
you have to build the soil up from scratch you can throw in anything you
would throw in the compost bin. Raised garden around my place have benefited
from finished compost, 1/2 finished compost, fresh grass clippings, kitchen
waste, dried leaves, pine needles, sea weed, untreated saw dust, wood ash,
prunings, mushroom compost, newspaper and cardboard, well rotted manure, 1/2
rotted manure and fresh manure. I have one garden full of a mixture breaking
down at present. I will leave it another 2-3 months over winter and then
plant in to it. Most things should be well on the way to soil however if not
everything is completely broken down will not be a big problem. I have not
bothered with any artifical fertiliser as I have put a heap of poop in. If
you want to fertilise try blood and bone or pelletised poop. Apply those
when planting rather than when building a garden from raw organic
ingredients as they will likely get lost by the time the organic matter has
broken down.

rob

"George.com" wrote in message
...

"Her Subj." wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi. I just installed a 7L x 4W x 1H foot vegetable bed in my garden (on
top of aerated grass). The borders of the bed are made of redwood. I am
now trying to develop the soils in the bed and am a bit confused as to
what types of compost, soils, etc. I should use. I am working towards
an organic garden, so I don't want to use any artificial chemicals. So
far I have general potting soil and something called "Redwood Soil
Conditioner," which looks like redwood-derived mulch and is rather dry.

What other types of soils, composts, or fertilizers would you recommend
I use? How long should I let the soil develop before I start planting
my vegetables?

you can put anything organic into a garden bed and it will break down, it
really depends on how quickly you want to start planting. Filling a raised
bed with existing garden soil will allow you to plant almost immediately.
If
you have to build the soil up from scratch you can throw in anything you
would throw in the compost bin. Raised garden around my place have
benefited
from finished compost, 1/2 finished compost, fresh grass clippings,
kitchen
waste, dried leaves, pine needles, sea weed, untreated saw dust, wood ash,
prunings, mushroom compost, newspaper and cardboard, well rotted manure,
1/2
rotted manure and fresh manure. I have one garden full of a mixture
breaking
down at present. I will leave it another 2-3 months over winter and then
plant in to it. Most things should be well on the way to soil however if
not
everything is completely broken down will not be a big problem. I have not
bothered with any artifical fertiliser as I have put a heap of poop in. If
you want to fertilise try blood and bone or pelletised poop. Apply those
when planting rather than when building a garden from raw organic
ingredients as they will likely get lost by the time the organic matter
has
broken down.

if you can get free used coffee grounds from a cafe they are also very good
as a soil builder, or as a fertiliser and mulch.

rob