All the work on the soil is done prior to planting the vegies, except for perhaps a bit of scuffing small weeds. Mulching will help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from germinating. Additional applications of fertilizer may be required as the season progresses but in a well prepared bed, the main input will be regular watering and perhaps liquid feeding occassionally.

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The secret is the soil.

The best mulch is what is available cheaply. Also if it breaks down it will add to the soil. Straw is good. Sugar cane trash works well. Coir fibre. Sheep manure or well rotted manures and compost. What are your options?

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The secret is the soil.

These are probably more beneficial if dug into the soil as they will be full of nutrient. If you can't dig them in because you've planted already, then you can spread it about, not too close to the seedlings and then mulch over the top of that. The earthworms will take it into the soil for you. You can leave it exposed on the surface OK, the disadvantage of this is that the weather will kill off many of the beneficial bacteria in the compost. Also it may form a water repellant layer on top of the soil if it is finely ground fibrous stuff. Mulching over it will prevent this. Is there a bale of straw available?

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The secret is the soil.

Exactly what soil prep did you do Nicky? Is the soil clay or sand based and does it drain OK?

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The secret is the soil.

OK. So you have nutrient available.
Is the soil clay or sand based and does it drain OK? Did you plant seeds or seedlings?

There could be a few reasons things are slow to get going. Soil temperature could be one if it's still cool in the ground. Just make sure you water deeply and regularly. A mulch would definitely help in your climate, so see if you can find something for the heat of summer.

MAin thing is to observe and learn. You'll get to understand your soil this summer and by the time winter comes again you'll be armed with greater knowledge. Continually be on the lookout for organic matter. Manures etc. Mulches. Build a compost pile if you can. Consider getting a worm farm. Very well behaved pets and their castings are 'black gold' to plants. It's the greatest soil conditioner and slow release fertilizer. And read about the plants and their requirements. You'll learn about things like Ph, which measures the acidity\alkalinity of the soil. It's very important. Where i live the soil is very sour or acid and i need to add lime or dolomite every year to correct it. If you view this season as a period of learning, you'll find you have plans for future seasons and this just adds up over time and your successes will increase. Keep gardening.

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The secret is the soil.

On the soil thing I used bags it did not say clay or sand based. I would need to go back to the garden store (HD) and ask. What is in it.

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http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/ladyk24/

I sit in my vegetable garden so that I can see them grow.

I did not use the soil in the ground at all. What i did was lay down the some kind of weed roll thing then i layed the dirt and stuff on top of that. I will add the pictures so you can see what i did.

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http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/ladyk24/

I sit in my vegetable garden so that I can see them grow.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/ladyk24/4d0ff666.jpg

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http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/ladyk24/

I sit in my vegetable garden so that I can see them grow.

OK. I get the picture.
You're probably gonna have trouble as the weedmat is going to prevent the roots from going down into the soil. I'd remove the weedmat at the end of the season and dig the area over to 8 inches or so. Incoorporating the new soil into the existing topsoil. Weedmat is in my opinion nothing but a waste of time and money.
However, for now, see if you can get something to lift the soil level closer to the top of the timber surrounds. I'd suggest a half a cubic yard of compost, or good quality organic garden soil, like a trailer load with something like spent mushroom compost mixed into it. Then mulch the lot with straw to the top of the wood and your garden may do OK this season. You may need to put a protective cover around the seedlings to protect them when you spread the stuff. Like a milk carton with the top and bottom cut out. The 1 or 2 inches of soil you have won't be enough to supply the plants with the depth of soil they need. For support and water retension etc. Would you have access to that amount of compost or would it only be available in bags? Some local governments have recycling centres that supply composted green waste to gardeners. DO you have that service?

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The secret is the soil.

I'd wait until you see if you can get bulk compost Nicky. Don't be worried about digging into the backyard soil. The pipes will be deep. You only need to go 6 inches or so. You don't really need to check the soil either, just take a look and get the feel of it. See if it is sandy or clay based. Then add organic matter. It's no big deal. If you'd like to start preparing other beds. Start early. Even if you start now you can still get a late crop in no problems. Plants grown in properly prepared soil do better and grow faster than ones rushed into poor soil. Potatoes are a great first crop for new beds.

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The secret is the soil.

And Longy's got some greattttttt advice for you...

quote:

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Plants grown in properly prepared soil do better and grow faster than ones rushed into poor soil.

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That is sooo truueeeeeeee....
The roots can go down so much better,
and that's where alot go to get moisture and coolness... and nutrients..
If they can't get straight down they start curving left and right and not being healthy...

Okay, here's a picture of a weed, and it's root
in my veggie garden...


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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Nicky looks like you have the right idea, but just need some improvement to grow successfully for you.

Weezie...I love those raised beds, and no weeding..How are the raised beds watered with the plastic ontop?

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