I’ve just moved and my new yard is basically a blank slate. So far, I’ve made a vegetable bed because I wanted to get garlic planted. I cleared the area for the garlic and prepped it with compost and some bulbtone (which I find is great for garlic), but I decided to leave the broken up sod flipped over on the rest of the bed since we weren’t expecting rain anytime soon. It looks like the majority has died, and I plan on covering the whole thing with a heavy layer of shredded maple leaves. Hopefully, I won’t regret leaving the sod on the bed, but I figured the conditions were right to do so and the bed can use the extra organic material. How do you make a new vegetable bed?
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Look! you're off to a great start! Using compost and Bulbtone for your garlic is perfect, and covering your bed with shredded maple leaves is a solid move to add organic matter and keep weeds in check. As for the sod you left flipped over, don't worry too much – it’ll break down and add more organic material to the soil over time.
For your new veggie bed, just make sure to clear any remaining debris or weeds. You’ve already got the compost in there, which is awesome. If the soil is a bit heavy or compacted, you can mix in some organic matter like aged manure to improve it. You could also consider making raised beds if you’re worried about the soil being too tough to work with. After planting, mulch with anything you have, like straw or grass clippings, to keep things tidy and reduce weeds. Just keep an eye on the soil moisture, especially when the plants are getting established. You’re doing great, keep at it, and your garden will thrive!
All excellent advice! Thank you! It sounds like you're a seasoned vegetable gardener. :) I agree mulch is key after planting, and I like using grass clippings. Feels so practical and efficient., plus they stay in place nicely. I'm excited for spring and the relatively low weed and pest pressure of a new bed.