I've been watching a lot of videos about super stuffed raised beds, where gardeners pack in as many plants as possible to prevent weeds and make the most of their space. I'm curious, though—does this high plant density deplete the soil's nutrients over time? Besides adding compost, do I need to do anything else to prepare the garden for the next growing season? Is it a sustainable practice, or will I eventually need to replace all the soil?
3 Answers
Composting is crucial! At the end of the gardening season, it's a good idea to mix in a lot of compost, even if it's still breaking down. Then, come spring, add another layer of finished compost to keep things rich and nutrient-filled.
I swear by organic fertilizer! I get discounted organic stuff every year and blend that into the soil along with my compost tea. I like to use a compost spreader that filters out all the bark and leftover wood, which I then use as mulch. This mulch breaks down much quicker than regular stuff, which is a game changer! In a state where you can legally grow, the end-of-season deals on supplies can be awesome.
Don't forget to rotate your crops! I have four trellis beds and switch them up every year between beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and small squashes. Keeping track of where you plant each year can really help maintain soil health.