Categories: Garden and gardening

How to Improve Soil and Build an In-Ground Garden Bed

The soil at my new house is GOOD, but compact and high in clay content. To get it to grow anything, I tilled up about 4-5″, mixed in various sources of compost, biochar, and mycorrhizal fungi, and then topped it off with a few bags of high quality soil mix.

Beds can be about 30″-48″ wide in ground to account for workability. Make sure you water in well and lay down some mulch after planting.

This is one of the easier ways to get a garden started if you have the space for it, as you’re using your own native soil to form the bed, saving you money.

0:00 – Intro
0:58 – Troubleshoot Existing Soil
2:24 – Measuring the Bed
4:14 – Tilling Existing Soil
4:58 – Adding Compost
7:02 – Topping With More Soil
9:25 – Planting Thai Veggies
11:19 – Outro

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View Comments

  • What other types of themed gardens do you want to learn how to grow?

  • How deep should I loosen the soil for veggies? My soil is hard after 6 inches or so.

  • I have watched your channels for a long time and have learned so much! I combine what I have read with your experience in your garden,. I am curious why you did not use Mel’s mix on your new garden since he was one of your mentors and you have had success with it in the past. The conflicting information/practices are difficult to follow in the videos and it would be helpful to have some information as to why you choose different methods for new applications. I appreciate your explanation of the decision to not implement no dig from your episodes with Charles Dowding and your expected benefits. Please continue. Love your new space and channel and I’m looking forward to spring planting.

  • Hi Keven. I’ve been watching your clips for a while now. You gardens rock! I am interested in changing my garden style this year. Normally, we till, then sow the seeds. Poor results this way. We have rocks galore. We live on an old landfill, that is nothing but rock and clay. I am planning to put mulched cardboard, compost, potting soil on top of ground, and let it sit until the end of March. It is December 20, 2021. Should I put other amendments in soil now, too, like rock phosphate, sustain, sea minerals, Epson salt, lime, etc. Then fertilize again when planting?

  • Hi I wnat to grow vegetables and fruit in sand soil outside informs of my apartment but I’m not sure what to do and how to start any suggestions

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