Q.Planting Carrots, Beets And Potatoes
I have a small garden, and with the covid lockdown thought its a perfect time to grow some vegetables. Apart from having some organic home grown produce, I will use it as a learning curve for my 11 yr old daughter and myself. I’ve built a raised very sturdy box 2m x 1.5. and 1.5 m deep. put stones in base for drainage and filled with compost almost to the top. My questions please are: 1. Can I plant potatoes, beetroot and carrots in the same box? someone told me the potatoes will take over. 2. If not, can you suggest what root vegetables for be happy to grow ‘side by side’ within the box? 3. can I plant the seeds directly into the compost in the box, now that the weather is warmer? thanks for your time. Keith
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
I believe you will find many problems with using compost by itself. Especially if you plan to direct seed into your garden. Normally, compost is mixed in with other things like topsoil, coconut husk, peat moss, or other materials that will soak up some of the excess nutrients. Using compost alone will burn most things before they have a chance to establish roots.
If it is too full to amend with quite a bit of inert material, then I would take it out until you have about half of the bed full. Then amend that top half with ingredients in the articles I will list. Mix the entire bed thoroughly before planting.
Here are some articles that will help you to build soil correctly, and know what to plant together:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/best-soil-raised-garden-beds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/raised-bed-soil-depth.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beets/beet-companion-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/potato-plant-companions.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/companion-vegetable-garden.htm
