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can I just use straight compost?
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Posted by
basiladdict 6a (
My Page) on
Mon, Feb 13, 12 at 20:47
| I need to fill a raised bed. I found a place that will sell me compost (from the municipality).
I know some people use the 1-1-1 ratio for raised beds (peat moss, vermiculite, compost). Is that necessary? Can I get by without it? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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| It depends in part on what you want to grow. Some plants are fine with straight compost. The more important question to ask is how that compost is made. If they are using the euphemistically named "biosolids" that are common in municipal composts, you risk exposure to heavy metals, medicine residue, and a host of other issues. If it is primarily tree waste (leaves and shredded wood) it may be fine. Check it out carefully before you commit, because they are making compost for a different agenda, and it may be only suited to ornamental uses. |
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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| Compost is mostly organic matter, and it's going to continue to break down and sink. This will be exacerbated by natural compaction over time. So if you do this you can expect your raised bed to be...not raised, eventually. To keep it raised you would need the mineral portion of soil along with the compost. |
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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| OK. So is the mineral portion the peat moss or the vermiculite? I did finally find somebody selling peat moss, but I can't find vermiculite anywhere. Is there a substitution? |
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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| Vermiculite = (Mg,Fe++,Al)3(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2�4(H2O) Peat moss is, like oompost, organic matter. Minerals add nutrients that are stable, add volume, and improve drainage and nutrient availability. Pumice might be a good substitute, but vermiculite should be easy to find at a good nursery or garden supply store. I know the big orange box store has it. |
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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| Why not just use soil? Either soil that you have, or a load of soil delivered, or a scoop of soil in your truck bought from a nursery supply, or bags of soil from a store. Vermiculite is great, but it's not essential for growing things in a raised bed. |
RE: can I just use straight compost?
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The only thing vermiculite, or perlite, does in any potting mix is provide drainage. Both of these are inert materials.
What you are proposing is making a planting bed of just organic matter and while the peat moss may well last for years the compost will be readily digested by the Soil Food Web and the depth of you bed will diminish (disappear according to some) and you will need to add more.
Better for your raised bed would be some good soil (look at what you are getting before you pay for it to be sure you are getting what you want) with sufficient compost, or other prganic matter, mixed in. |
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