|
|
Author |
|
Message | |
|
mattswanathome
Joined: 24 Jul 2013 Posts: 5 Location: mid Wales
|
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 13 9:21 am Post subject: Acidic soil preparation for raised beds |
|
Hi, I wonder if anyone can advise me. I recently bought 6 acres of mixed woodland and open scrub in mid Wales, part of which I want to grow veg on. This area, which is flat, was covered in large clumps of soft rush which I have removed by hand, leaving mostly bare earth and a few patches of grass and other vegetation. The soil is clay and in some places stony, and is strongly acidic (pH 5). It has been left fallow for many years, prior to that it was grazed by sheep. There are quite a few tree stumps dotted around.
I want to create raised beds, ideally to start planting next year. I know the soil needs lime to raise the pH level, and I'm aware that I need to wait at least 3 months after that before adding compost (which counteracts the lime's effects).
If I lime the whole area and then create raised beds my concern is the lime only affects the top few centimetres of soil, which may mean during the creation of the raised beds I use soil which hasn't been touched by the lime.
If I create the raised beds first using compost or manure and then add lime to the tops of them, then the compost presumably counteracts the lime's effect.
Can anyone advise the best approach? |
|
|
|
|
cassy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 1047 Location: South West Scotland
|
|
|
|
|
Finsky
Joined: 10 Sep 2011 Posts: 847 Location: Notts.
|
|
|
|
|
DorsetScott
Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 500 Location: Bournemouth
|
|
|
|
|
Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15539
|
|
|
|
|
mattswanathome
Joined: 24 Jul 2013 Posts: 5 Location: mid Wales
|
|
|
|
|
Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15539
|
|
|
|
|
|