Q. What should I use to
amend raised beds? Mine need to be rejuvenated. Sulfur, rock dust, chicken
manure, worm castings, I am not sure which ones to use or to use them all!
amend raised beds? Mine need to be rejuvenated. Sulfur, rock dust, chicken
manure, worm castings, I am not sure which ones to use or to use them all!
 |
| Raised beds are probably the best alternative when you are faced with using “fill” that was put in by the developer or builder of the home. |
A. There is a lot of hype
on the Internet regarding soil amendments. I can understand why it’s confusing.
Sulfur, rock dust, coconut coir, worm castings, chicken manure all make
promises of miracles.
on the Internet regarding soil amendments. I can understand why it’s confusing.
Sulfur, rock dust, coconut coir, worm castings, chicken manure all make
promises of miracles.
Stay
with the basics if you are just starting out. Amend your soils with compost each year, and your raised bed
will be productive every year. The best quality compost is rich in nutrients, consistently
black or dark brown in color and a pleasing aroma. Composts that deviate from
these characteristics are poorer in quality.
with the basics if you are just starting out. Amend your soils with compost each year, and your raised bed
will be productive every year. The best quality compost is rich in nutrients, consistently
black or dark brown in color and a pleasing aroma. Composts that deviate from
these characteristics are poorer in quality.
 |
| Compost made in Amargosa, Nevada, by a dairy operation using the “windrow” method. |
Composts work best if they are mixed with soil…. even desert soil. Many of the subdivisions
have extremely poor soils because “fill” was used around the homes rather than
soil. In many cases, raised beds filled with soil mixes is the least expensive
option to having a garden.
have extremely poor soils because “fill” was used around the homes rather than
soil. In many cases, raised beds filled with soil mixes is the least expensive
option to having a garden.
 |
| Perlite is one of those amendments used as a soil amendment. It is used mostly for propagation and interior plants. |
If
compost is applied to these soils every year most of these amendments are usually
not needed. Adding compost and growing a productive garden helps to lower its
the soil pH so sulfur is usually not needed.
compost is applied to these soils every year most of these amendments are usually
not needed. Adding compost and growing a productive garden helps to lower its
the soil pH so sulfur is usually not needed.
 |
| Compost added to the vegetable plots every year at the University Orchard in North Las Vegas |
Over
a year ago I tested three different rock dusts in several locations around Las
Vegas and found no benefit to these additions as long as the garden soil was
amended with compost.
a year ago I tested three different rock dusts in several locations around Las
Vegas and found no benefit to these additions as long as the garden soil was
amended with compost.
The
type of compost, whether it is traditional compost or compost made from worms,
is up to you and your personal preference. Certainly, if you sleep better at
night by adding these amendments to your raised beds by all means apply them.
They will not hurt anything as long as you don’t apply too much.
type of compost, whether it is traditional compost or compost made from worms,
is up to you and your personal preference. Certainly, if you sleep better at
night by adding these amendments to your raised beds by all means apply them.
They will not hurt anything as long as you don’t apply too much.
 |
| Red wigglers used in worm composting…vermiculture…in a plastic bin and food scraps |
Virtually
all of the animal manures are effective if they are composted correctly. The
only additions I would suggest when first starting off with raised beds are inocula
for legumes such as beans and peas.
all of the animal manures are effective if they are composted correctly. The
only additions I would suggest when first starting off with raised beds are inocula
for legumes such as beans and peas.
The
type of fertilizers to use are your personal preference but organic fertilizers
typically add more to the soil than conventional fertilizers but cost more.
However, if your soil is amended properly at the beginning of the season then
small amounts of conventional fertilizers would benefit the plants.
type of fertilizers to use are your personal preference but organic fertilizers
typically add more to the soil than conventional fertilizers but cost more.
However, if your soil is amended properly at the beginning of the season then
small amounts of conventional fertilizers would benefit the plants.