question about preparing old raised beds for spring

kgregory on 5/4/2010, 3:15 pm

I read in the All New Sq Foot Gardening book that I should have added some compost to my raised beds at the end of fall. I didn't do that, and I didn't mulch the beds. Now it is early May and I'm wondering what I should do. One bed has strawberries which are leafing out. Another has raspberries which are shooting up happily. The third bed will be -- again -- for tomatoes and basil, with marigolds around the edges. Do I need to add any more compost to any of these beds, and if so how much to each?
Thanks!

SirTravers on 5/4/2010, 10:22 pm

no need to replant everything at this point. What I've been doing is adding a trowel of compost as I transplant or replant a square just like Mel suggests. This saves you from backbreaking labor with the "big tools" As far as mulching....I haven't seen many people using mulch as it's just something else that ends up in the mix....or in the case of folks in windy areas like me....it just gets blown away. A good watering in the morning keeps the mix moist and prevents the wind from getting it before I get home in the evenings.

Ray'ssfg on 5/4/2010, 10:50 pm

I would add some compost around the plants that are there and work it in as much as you can without disturbing the roots. As you water or it rains it will get down to the roots. I think your plants will thank you for the food.

Ray

kgregory on 5/5/2010, 9:19 am

Thank you Sir Travers and Ray for your suggestions. Sounds easy, and set me at ease to have it confirmed that it will work fine to just add some compost now -- even though I didn't in the fall.
Thanks!
Katharine in Fort Collins

aspiegardner on 5/5/2010, 9:21 am

I only mulched the blueberry box with pine nuggets. For all the other boxes adding new compost and mixing in prior to planting.

alijoefam5 on 5/9/2010, 8:25 pm

Should I mix different types of compost? manure, leaf compost? a variety? or just any single compost?does it matter? when replanting
:?:

SirTravers on 5/9/2010, 9:31 pm

It's a good idea to keep using a blended compost when you add to used squares. It makes sure to get all the micronutrients back into the mix before you replant.

question about preparing old raised beds for spring

question about preparing old raised beds for spring

Just add compost as you go

Just add compost as you go

RE: adding compost to beds in spring

Re: question about preparing old raised beds for spring

compost

Re: question about preparing old raised beds for spring