I spent several hours on this on Sunday. Thankfully the weather was glorious, so it was a pleasure to be out in the fresh air.
A complete compost-bin's worth of compost went into the bed. It was from one of my 3 "Dalek" bins, which had been slowly "cooking" for the past year or so. Conveniently, the bin was only a couple of yards away from the new bed, so transferring the material was quite easy. I laid my trusty groundsheet between bin and bed to catch any stray material and just lifted off the bin, vertically:
This is what the contents of the compost-bin looked like - lots of different "strata" with fresh material at the top, partially-decayed material in the middle and a good layer of dark, crumbly sweet-smelling stuff at the bottom.
It all went into the new bed, even the fresh stuff which will continue to feed the worms as it rots down. Over the compost went a layer of the soil retained from the original bed, and then finally a good thick covering of the purchased Norfolk loam. Although I have tamped down the material fairly vigorously, I know that it will subside a bit more as it settles. I don't want the soil to come right to the top of the bed, because I know that if it does the Blackbirds will just kick it all over the place!
I feel well satisfied with my efforts this weekend; everything has gone exactly according to plan. However, I'm mindful that the task is not yet complete, because I have to do the same thing all over again soon! And of course I am more eager than ever to get on and sow or plant something...
It looks very impressive Mark, all the better for being filled with home made compost too.
ReplyDeleteLooks good. One more for the year, or will you keep going?
ReplyDeleteWe'll see how the finances look after I have retired!
DeleteWell done, Mark. That one should last a while.
ReplyDeleteIt looks marvelous! Great job!
ReplyDeleteSo you went for one two layered bed. Does that mean you are ordering more wood?
ReplyDeleteNo, it means that AFTER building this most recent 2-tier one, I still have timber for one more 2-tier one or two single-tier ones.
DeleteWell, you are quite right to be proud - a job well done. You will reap the benefits of those few hours of work over the weekend for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Mark, it's looking great.
ReplyDeleteHow deep is the soil in your raised bed?
ReplyDeleteThe beds are 40cm deep (although placed on top of open soil), but not filled to the top, so I suppose the available depth is at least 30cm.
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