Marianne's Response

Raised Bed soil replenishment

My wife has about 12 raised garden beds for vegetables. The soil in the beds are “raised bed soil”. Each year she wants to “supplement” this soil with additional bags of “raised bed soil”. I think this is a waste of money and time, as I have to buy it and carry it to the beds, but my gardening experience is limited. However, I do recall my dad have a large, productive garden (no raised beds) and he only added some fertilizer. Is this supplement with additional raised bed soil necessary? Please advise.

Posted by William English on March 28, 2020

Marianne's Response

You are both right. Supplementing intensive vegetable garden areas with high quality soil rich with organic matter will help with increased harvest because organic matter although not a fertilizer acts as a conduit to get plant nutrients into the plant roots. But only if you are using high quality soil. You can also increase yields each year by adding fertilizer to replace the nutrients that hungry vegetables take out - especially corn and other nutrient draining crops. I suggest a compromise. Reuse last year's soil for a year maybe two but add fertilizer every year  and mix up or loosen the soil in the beds every year.  When you notice a less productive garden even after using fertilizer then it may be time to remove about a third of the soil and replace with fresh quality soil. The issue is the quality of the soil you add. I will assume the bags are labeled  "raised bed soil" because it drains well and contains some organic matter to hold onto moisture and nutrients. Use a reputable company to avoid getting burned from poor quality planting, potting or raised bed soil.  Now give your wife a high five for raising so much healthy produce and improving not just your health but quality of life.  Also nice of you to help out. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti