I was watching a video about building garden beds, and they mentioned filling the bottom with cut-up branches before adding soil. I'm curious about the advantages of doing this. I have a lot of branches from some trees I cut down, and if I can utilize them in my garden beds, I'm all for it! What are the benefits, and are there any downsides I should know about?
2 Answers
Using branches at the bottom of your garden beds can really help with drainage! They create space and promote airflow. I sometimes even use pine cones for similar purposes. Just make sure to cover them with soil or sand depending on your needs.
Absolutely! Branches decompose over time, gradually releasing nutrients into the soil. I built three raised beds last year and added branches and leaves at the bottom, and my plants are thriving!
Do the branches need to be fresh, or can I use older ones? Some of mine have been sitting around for a year.