How to Rejuvenate Raised Garden Bed Soil (2024)

FAQs

How to Rejuvenate Raised Garden Bed Soil? ›

Compost, Compost, Compost

Eventually, all gardeners with raised beds discover they need to refresh their soil to keep it productive. The easiest way to do this is an annual top dressing with a few inches of compost or rich topsoil.

There are various factors to consider when determining the best soil mixture for raised beds, but generally, the best starting point is a blend of topsoil, compost and organic matter.

The Best Way To Improve Garden Soil

The single best thing you can do for your soil is to add organic matter. and the best organic matter is compost. Compost is simply once-living matter (leaves, kitchen vegetable scraps, garden trimmings) that has decomposed into a dark, crumbly substance.

Simply add organic debris to the soil surface and let your “underground herd” break it down. As it does, it will improve your soil's texture and make nutrients available to your plants. So don't be shy about applying copious amounts of organic residue to your soil.

Nutrient-Rich

All organic gardens, including raised bed gardens require additional organic fertilizer through the growing season. Edibles, many of which are grown in raised beds, are heavy feeders and need nutrient replenishment with an organic granular fertilizer every 5-6 weeks.

Add a handful of a slow release fertilizer like manure. Mix in one part compost for every three or four parts of the old potting mix. Apply a liquid fertilizer like compost tea every two weeks. Mix an organic fertilizer like worm castings or coffee grounds to the top few inches of garden soil.

Remineralization is a straightforward procedure. Simply apply a specific fine rock dust (called glacial gravel) to a field, garden, forest, or even a planter. This type of dust creates a broad spectrum of minerals in the soil in a natural balance.

How to create rich garden soil? ›

You can increase the amount of organic matter in your soil by adding compost, aged animal manures, green manures (cover crops), mulches or peat moss. Because most soil life and plant roots are located in the top 6 inches of soil, concentrate on this upper layer.

Thankfully, there is one method that will consistently rewet super dry potting soil; wetting and mixing it with very warm or hot water and then hand turning and mixing it (be sure to wear water-impermeable gloves). The heat helps the peat and compost easily take up water again.

Loss of nutrients to erosion, while historically significant, is largely reversible using nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Loss of hydrologic function is a much more serious challenge but gradual restoration is possible through practices that raise organic matter levels, especially at the soil surface.

Tips for Improving Compacted Soil

Work the garden bed with a garden fork. This can be a difficult task in heavily compacted soil. Plunge the pitchfork into the soil and move the fork back and forth until you have broken up the soil particles, allowing air to penetrate.

However, if you notice signs of soil depletion such as poor plant growth or nutrient deficiencies, it may be time to replace your soil or make significant amendments to improve its health. The soil in a raised bed can remain viable for many years with proper maintenance and care.

Yes, you can reuse a raised bed! You'll just need to refresh the nutrients in the soil to replace all the nutrients used up last year.

Replenish lost nutrients by adding slow-release fertilizers, vermiculite or compost. Because compost is dense, it can lead to compaction and should be used judiciously (a ratio of one part compost to three to four parts potting soil is most effective).