Question:

Do I need to refresh my soil amenders every time I plant?

Repeat Performance Planting

Remember the fish you had in grade school? Your mom told you to change the water. You didn't. One day, you found yourself struggling through a toilet bowl funeral. You're learning how to plant a garden, especially a raised garden build directly on existing sod.

While you've kept the weeds out, you plan to do succession planting when gardening raised beds. You're planting lettuce in Virginia in March before the last frost, and lima beans in the summer. You might think you don't need to add soil amenders or fertilizer each time. All we can say is, remember that fish!

You don't want to deplete the soil after you've put so much work and planned how to garden, so prepare raw manure three to six months before you plan to plant the lima beans--you don't want to burn the roots! For the fall when you're planting lettuce again, select kelp meal from seaweed (ironically, algae may save your plants--it clouded your fish tank before!)

Lettuce leaf has a high nutrient demand--on the other hand, you can probably get away with fewer nutrients for lima beans, but be sure to refresh the soil anyway. After all, you'd look silly conducting a bathroom funeral for your plants...but you'll always cherish your pet goldfish.

Raised Garden Frequently Asked Questions

What is a raisen garden bed and why should I build one?

Can I change the shape of my raised bed garden?

What's the best wood to build a raised bed garden?

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I have soft soil, will metal edging work?

Can I plan a raised garden around my fish pond?

If I'm planting cauliflower, how large a garden do I need?

Should I use trestle ties for my landscape edging?

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Do I need to worry about soil compaction in a raised bed garden?

Should I use sand in my raised bed soil preparation?

Can I start plants in pots to have them ready for raised bed planting?

Can I plant deep rooting vegetables with shallow rooted crops?

How do I keep vertical gardens from overshadowing my bed?

Can I plant just any kind of plants in interplanting?

How do I keep my soil from eroding?

Do I need to refresh my soil amenders every time I plant?

What soil preparation amenders shouldn't I use?

When I'm doing succession planting, how do I mulch?

How do I water my raised bed garden?

How do I prevent too much acidity in my raised bed?

Should I get my soil tested periodically?

Should I use plastic mulch to maintain my raised bed?

Should I plant cover plants to maintain my garden?

Should I use cover cloth to protect raised beds?

How do I maintain raised beds in auto tires?

How do I protect raised beds against city pollution?

Do I need a tiller to maintain my raised bed?

Should I buy a self-watering raised garden bed?

Can I use a prefab raised garden kit for a terrace garden?

Is it difficult to garden on a slope?

What can I plant in my terraced garden?

What shouldn't I do when gardening on a slope?

What should I do if I can't build a terraced garden?

How high should my elevated garden beds be?

What are the basics of constructing a terraced garden?

How do I prepare and maintain soil for gardening on a slope?

How do I make terraced gardens accessible?

What kinds of fruit trees are suited to terraced gardens?

Do I need a small container for container gardening?

Which vegetables can I plant in a container vegetable garden?

What types of pots should I use for container gardening?

How dfo I prevent plants from overgrowing in a container garden?

Do I need a big fancy decorative pot for my container garden?

Are there vegetables designed just for container gardening?

Do I use soil for my container garden or just compost?

How do I make sure my container gardens drain well ?

How often should I fertilize my vegetables?

I want to do a boat shape raised bed garden, can I?

Can I use untrated wood for my DIY raised bed?

What do I do if my raised garden bed abuts my house?

How do I use landscape ties in my DIY raised bed garden?

What tools do I need for a raised garden bed?

Am I stuck with the shape of a raised bed garden kit?

How do I protect my raised garden bed during construction?

Are raised bed garden kids good for school kids?

Do I build a trellis at the same time I build my raised bed?

Can I create a raised bed garden in the shape of a maze?

Does Rebecca have advice on stones for raised gardens?

Does Paul James have any tips for keeping raised beds safe?

How do I garden on a small scale?

Does Rebecca have any advice for creating a kids' garden?

Does Rebecca have any tips for gardening organic in raised beds?

Does Rebecca have any tips for working with mushroom compost?

Does Rebecca have tips on container gardening?

What soil mix does Paul James use for raised beds?

What shape garden does Paul James like?

I bought plants on sale and can't plant them, can Paul James help?

Will a raised bed garden eliminate weeds?

How do I move my containers around easily?

Can I use aluminum siding as landscape edging?





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Guru Spotlight
Sherril Steele-Carlin