I recently added a few inches of gravel at the bottom of my raised garden bed to help with drainage, but now I'm trying to figure out the best material to place between the gravel and the soil. I want to prevent the soil from washing out but I'm concerned about the options. I've heard mixed things about using mulch, and I really don't want to go with cardboard.
2 Answers
For your situation, a weed barrier would work well to keep the soil in place while allowing water to drain. You could also consider using wood chips or leaves as a natural option. They can help keep the soil from mixing with the gravel.
Have you thought about a "hugelkultur bed"? It's great for raised beds. It involves layering organic materials like logs, twigs, and leaves on top of the gravel. Even if you can't get logs right now, using layers of straw or leaves above the gravel can work well too, and it will enrich your soil over time.
My bed isn’t very deep, only 17 inches, and I don’t have quick access to logs this season. I do have leftover good soil from my old beds plus I’m planning to get a yard of new soil. Thanks for the straw suggestion!