6" deep of mels mix in a 12" deep box

jevans 4/6/2012, 6:14 am

Is it worth going more than 6" deep with mels mix in a 4x8x12" deep raised bed or is nothing gained accept additional cost? Thanks for your comments.

**camprn** 4/6/2012, 7:02 am

There is really nothing to be gained by putting more than 6 inches of Mel's mix in. There are a few other threads that speak to this, the search feature can help you find them.

givvmistamps 4/6/2012, 8:13 am

camprn wrote:There is really nothing to be gained by putting more than 6 inches of Mel's mix in. There are a few other threads that speak to this, the search feature can help you find them.

What about when you're planting carrots or other root veggies? I gather onions wouldn't need deeper soil, but other things do, right?

curio 4/6/2012, 8:20 am

You can put risers or "top hats" on the squares you'll be using for deep root crops (carrots, parsnips, potatoes) so you can add up to the level you need ... most cases is 12".

givvmistamps 4/6/2012, 8:29 am

That's what I added to my cheap 4' square boxes...hubby put together a 1'x2'x6" box to set on top of my soil for our carrots. Now I have to decide exactly how many carrots to plant each time, and how often I should plant them.

**sfg4uKim** 4/6/2012, 8:52 am

I'm working on a school project and they "insist" on making the beds 12". Since I have inexpensive bulk compost available ($35/cubic yard = 27 cubic feet) I'm going to fill the bottom 6" with that (or maybe 3" of fill, weed cloth, 3" of compost) and then fill the rest with mix.

BillOcala 4/6/2012, 9:03 am

It won't hurt to go more, and some plants will indeed use the additional depth. More than you need will never hurt you where as not enough always will.

duhh 4/6/2012, 11:17 am

It wont hurt to do deeper boxes, but it is not needed. If I am filling a box that is more than 6in deep, I do like sfg4ukim does and just add a few extra inches of compost on the bottom.

**Turan** 4/6/2012, 11:58 am

A deeper bed has a sort of fly wheel effect. The soil will store more water and change temperature slower. The main feeder roots of a plant are in hte top inches of soil so you want your richest soil there. But the lower soils can be heavier on slow release minerals and other stuffs.

jevans 4/6/2012, 6:35 pm

great feed back! Thanks!

AvaDGardner 4/6/2012, 6:43 pm

I've found an advantage to having a 'high edge' to the box...less weeds!

We get all kinds of things being blown into our plots. I've noticed of my four boxes, the one with the least dirt, so higher sides from the dirt line (maybe 4-5"), has far, far less grass weeds to pick out. I rarely have to weed it.

The other three...with a 2" clearing...I'm weeding constantly!

Another plot, nothing planted yet, not being worked, a good 6" inside edge, not a weed to be found. It's been weed free for 2+ months now.

When I revise my boxes (making 4 into 2), I'm planning on less dirt & higher inside edges. (My boxes are 10'x2'x12")

elysia 4/6/2012, 6:57 pm

That is very interesting! I was kind of regretting making our boxes 12" with the intention of using sand on the bottom because we liked the way it looked better than the 6" boxes, but this changes things! Thanks!

philct 4/6/2012, 7:57 pm

The first box I made is 10inches deep. I hadn't heard of SFQ yet and just took the plans off a website online for a raised bed. This year it only has leaf compost and cow manure, but next year I'll convert it over to MM at 10inches.. can't hurt right?

floyd1440 4/6/2012, 8:40 pm

philct wrote:The first box I made is 10inches deep. I hadn't heard of SFQ yet and just took the plans off a website online for a raised bed. This year it only has leaf compost and cow manure, but next year I'll convert it over to MM at 10inches.. can't hurt right?

Funny that is what I did last year as I started late and got a simular mix when I started as I did not have all the ingredients for MM. Mine was also 12 inches deep. I shovelled about 8-10 inches out and replace it with MM but did not get all 5 composts but am composting currently and hope to have a batch ready by late spring

Perhaps........

**Turan** 4/6/2012, 9:33 pm

elysia wrote:That is very interesting! I was kind of regretting making our boxes 12" with the intention of using sand on the bottom because we liked the way it looked better than the 6" boxes, but this changes things! Thanks!

You are in SoDak? So I assume the wind blows a lot? My favorite beds are three 2X4s high (cuz I got a big pile of that lumber cheap years ago) that is about 10.5 inches in total. The final 2x4 is really a wind barrier/row cover support for young plants. cheers

Too Tall Tomatoes 4/6/2012, 11:43 pm

philct wrote:The first box I made is 10inches deep. I hadn't heard of SFQ yet and just took the plans off a website online for a raised bed. This year it only has leaf compost and cow manure, but next year I'll convert it over to MM at 10inches.. can't hurt right?

It won't hurt one bit to have 10 inches of Mel's Mix in your box. It's not totally necessary but it won't hurt.
I'm going with 8 inches of Mel's Mix in my boxes. I don't like the look of risers for things like carrots. I'd rather have 8 inches across the entire box.

elysia 4/7/2012, 11:38 am

@ Turan

yes M'am, here in So Dak it indeed gets a wee-bit windy so that is fantastic input! Thank you much! Very Happy

jevans 4/14/2012, 8:16 am

I have a 4x8x12 raised bed with a cardboard base layer and fresh amended soil consisting of pumice, peat moss, and compost. If I am ready to make a 6" batch of Mels Mix would I be better off being exclusive with Mels Mix or just add in on top of the amended soil. I'm very eager to start off right at any expense. Very Happy

Thanks for your comments.

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6" deep of mels mix in a 12" deep box

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Eager to start off right. To add or not to add?

Re: 6" deep of mels mix in a 12" deep box


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