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Preparing a Bed - Soil Improvement

All soils benefit from well-rotted organic matter; this comes in many forms. A compost heap is a free and environment-friendly way to improve your soil quality.

Starting a Compost Heap
Household waste for the compost heap : vegetable peelings, lawn clippings, eggshells, tea bags, fruit skins. Avoid meat unless you want to attract rats and foxes.
Garden waste for the compost heap : lawn clippings, dead plants - but avoid weeds.

We tend to use well-rotted organic manure with a mix of horticultural grit or sharp/silver sand. For clay soils this improves drainage, also helping to break up the clay.

Before you plant anything...
Weed and dig over the bed, then add your organic matter. At this point you may wish to mix in some chicken pellets or another fertiliser (fish blood and bonemeal) just to give the plants an extra start.

Dig over again and use the rake to level it all off. It's a good Idea to take a break at this stage. First, because you will probably have had enough of digging for one day, and second because while you're resting you can plan out your bed and get a good idea of the space you need to plant.

Creating a garden is an on going and ever changing project.

Stewarts Garden Service Surrey