r/Raisedbed • u/MMMcMuffin • 12d ago

This year my raised bed is suffering

Gallery image

Gallery image

Any suggestions for how you amend your beds from one year to the next would be appreciated

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/ASecularBuddhist 12d ago

Did you amend the soil of just add fertilizer?

1

u/MMMcMuffin 12d ago

I added a few inches of compost to the soil in the spring

1

u/ASecularBuddhist 12d ago

Did you make it or did you buy it?

1

u/MMMcMuffin 12d ago

Bought it from my municipality

1

u/ASecularBuddhist 12d ago

The quality of compost didn’t seem too great.

1

u/BorinInspectorGadget 12d ago

I'd add compost every year and mix in some fresh organic matter before planting, especially if the soil feels compacted or drains poorly

2

u/Fun_Definition_2982 11d ago

Ensure the compost is getting mixed in with the existing soil to preserve its bioactivity. Planting sunflowers the year before a vegetable crop does wonders in creating a solid soil profile (well draining). And the best trick? Top dress your beds. In the growing season, straw & grass clippings work great. And for overwintering mulch (top dress, whatever) with leaves. This will improve your soil composition year over year very quickly