Hey everyone! I'm new here and might have bitten off more than I can chew with my raised bed project. It's quite large at 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 20 inches tall, and I'm at a bit of a loss for how to fill it affordably. I'm considering using Hügelkultur for about a quarter of the space, but I need ideas for the rest. I don't have a compost pile, and the local soil is just solid red Georgia clay. Any tips or experiences on filling large raised beds in zone 8 would be super helpful. Thanks!
5 Answers
If you have any rocks lying around, throw some in the bottom! They not only help with drainage but also provide trace nutrients. Plus, wood chips are usually pretty cheap, so you can layer those in as well!
I built my own raised beds this summer, and I had a composter deliver 19 yards of topsoil mixed with compost. It wasn't cheap, but it got the job done right. Renting a bobcat for the heavy lifting really helped, too!
You might wanna check with a nearby landscaping company! They often sell a mix of topsoil and compost, and I managed to fill my 4x12x12 bed for around $50. Just load it up in your truck and take a few trips—definitely saves on delivery costs!
For the bottom layers, consider using compostables like lawn clippings or small branches. Most plants don't need more than 6" of good soil. I had success sourcing a raised bed mix from a local supplier; I drove quite a bit to get it, but it lasted me a long time. Mushroom compost is another great option—affordable and effective!
Absolutely! Searching for "bulk landscaping supply" in your area can be a game-changer. I built quite a few raised beds and used 18-yard trucks to get the soil in—saved me so much hassle!
That's a great tip! Those trucks really can hold a lot. I did that too and it made filling the beds so much easier!