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- Q.Railroad Ties Around My Vegetable Garden Safe? - We hired somebody to work in our garden area and he used old railroad ties around the whole vegetable garden,(not ...
- Q.Can I Use Bitumen Paint To Preserve Wood Where Vegetables Are To Be Grown? - I have new raised beds made from pressure treated sleepers and want to give the wood additional preservation treatment before ...
- Q.How Can I Grow A Successful Raised Bed? - I got a gardening company to build a raised bed. They planted mint, sage and strawberries. For a while everything ...
- Q.Winter Prep On Container - Hello. I have a raised wood flower bed (lined on the inside with garden fabric). In it I have planted ...
- Q.First Step When Planting A Raised Bed Garden - I'm thinking of starting a raised bed garden. I'm wondering what I need to do about the grass and weeds ...
- Q.What Soil I Need For Raised Vegetable Boxes, I Need Quite A Lot. Thank You - I live in uk. Is it better to buy big bags like 1000 l compost? Please help. Much appreciated.
- Q.I Need To Know If I Should Bury The Posts In Concrete On A Raised Garden Bed, Or If I Should Just Bury Them In The Dirt. - I have a raised garden bed kit that my wife purchased. I've never built one before and don't know what ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
June 17, 2021Q.Railroad Ties Around My Vegetable Garden Safe?
We hired somebody to work in our garden area and he used old railroad ties around the whole vegetable garden,(not to build the raised beds). He also used shredded wood as mulch surrounding the raised beds. We are not sure where he got both the railroad ties and the mulch. Do I need to be concerned about chemicals leaching into the soil of my vegetable garden?
Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 28, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Railroad ties are a poor option, since they are coated with chemicals that are toxic to the soil, and yourself.
This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/are-railroad-ties-safe.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
July 1, 2021Q.Can I Use Bitumen Paint To Preserve Wood Where Vegetables Are To Be Grown?
I have new raised beds made from pressure treated sleepers and want to give the wood additional preservation treatment before I fill with soil/compost. Can I use a bitumen paint such as Blackjack where edible plants are to be grown. Thanks
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 12, 2021
Certified ExpertA.As long as everything has time to cure, I don't see this being an issue. If it does become a doubt, then you could use alternative materials:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/raised-vegetable-gardens.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Gardennoob37282 on
July 17, 2021
UKQ.How Can I Grow A Successful Raised Bed?
I got a gardening company to build a raised bed. They planted mint, sage and strawberries. For a while everything went well. Then we had birds and foxes eat the strawberries, so we got rid of them, followed by insects eating the mint. Then weeds started to appear. I admit I neglected them for a short while, which turned into (Photo 1) I've now pulled everything out and want to start again. (Photo 2) I haven't used any weed killer. There might be some weed seeds still there and I'm still concerned about pest control including insects. How can I do this right? At this rate it's cheaper to go to the supermarket and buy this stuff. Any help is appreciated
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 19, 2021
Certified ExpertA.There are a lot of things to learn, and much more than I could write, here. Fortunately, we have plenty of articles to offer more information than you could ever need! Here are some resources to get you started:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/beginners-guide-to-gardening.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 8, 2021Q.Winter Prep On Container
Hello. I have a raised wood flower bed (lined on the inside with garden fabric). In it I have planted lavender, blanket flower and seedum. Im not sure how to prepare this container for winter...Should i cut back the flowers? Should i wrap the sides or top of the container in burlap. This is the first winter for the plants. Im in zone 5....near toronto. This planter is mostly sun...shade late afternoon. The potting soil stays most...and i rarely water the plants as my moisture meter always reads moist/wet. Please help!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 21, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It looks like all of the species in there are hardy in your area. As far as providing proper care, there should be little to be done to protect them.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/sedum
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/blanket-flower
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 21, 2021Q.First Step When Planting A Raised Bed Garden
I'm thinking of starting a raised bed garden. I'm wondering what I need to do about the grass and weeds on the ground where I will put it. Do I need to dig them up or will the three inches of new soil put on top kill them?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 5, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It is best to kill the grass first either by solarization or chemically with a nonselective herbicide containing glyphosate. Always read and follow the label instructions.
Here are more ideas:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 6, 2021Q.What Soil I Need For Raised Vegetable Boxes, I Need Quite A Lot. Thank You
I live in uk. Is it better to buy big bags like 1000 l compost? Please help. Much appreciated.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 15, 2021
Certified ExpertA.You can buy good topsoil or garden soil in bags and add cow manure to enhance the fertility, plus add perlite or vermiculite to aid drainage. It may cost less to buy sandy loam soil in bulk from sod stores and add manure and perlite.
This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/best-soil-raised-garden-beds.htm
This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/best-soil-raised-garden-beds.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
November 5, 2021Q.I Need To Know If I Should Bury The Posts In Concrete On A Raised Garden Bed, Or If I Should Just Bury Them In The Dirt.
I have a raised garden bed kit that my wife purchased. I've never built one before and don't know what best practices are. I've built wooden fences, and always used concrete to secure the fence posts in the ground, but I don't know if I should do that with the garden bed posts, or if it's best to just dig the hole to depth, drop the posts in, and fill it back in with dirt? The garden bed is a 12'x20', with almost 20 posts that need to be buried.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 7, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Generally, raised beds are not any wider than you can reach across from one side. Usually about 3 or 4 feet. You may need to add stepping stones or paths in your garden bed. And one doesn't normally have to bury the posts in cement. In fact, most are not buried at all. I suggest using the instructions in your kit.
Here are examples of simple raised beds:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/urban/raised-beds-for-urban-settings-no-digging-required.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/raised-vegetable-gardens.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/stacking-garden-beds.htmWas this answer useful?00
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