What can I throw in these garden beds ?

[JDarvall]

I hadn't thought of that... .

I didn't know that it was that bad either.

thanks everyone for the info.

[Mcblurter]

Doing a similar thing myself (except don't have lots of sawdust!)
I am building a garden bed 2 sleepers high 2400mm x 4800mm. We've been doing a bit of reno work so have a few varieties of different quality soil from various holes. Have found areas in the garden with good soil that don't really need it, ie: small area between a shed and fence, and have removed this and replaced it with the poor quality soil.
I have a large compost bin that is getting full, will stop filling it soon so it has time to break down before spring (maybe you could mix your pile of sawdust with variety of organic matter over next few weeks then leave it for a few months). I also have broken down some of the heavy clay in water and add this to the compost. Clay has a lot of good stuff in it, but plants can't get to it in solid lumps, but broken down can be used a little like a fertiliser.
Once I have built the frame I will dig up existing soil in that area, taking off any good topsoil. Will then mix most of the compost with the soil I have. Then on top of this mix will put some straw, cow manure and chook manure and the rest of the compost. Give that a few weeks then dig over, then plant like buggery .
If I had a little more time I would grow a green manure crop like peas or mustard, then dig it in, then plant a few weeks later. Probably won't have time this year, but usually do this prior to planting in spring (I usually don't grow winter vegies, too cold and can't be bothered, gives me time for indoor pursuits!)
I will also put some sleepers around the top so they are like bench seats, don't know where your beds will be but maybe offer this as an idea to SWMBO, could do some gardening, then sit down with some boiled water, pick some fresh peppermint from the garden and have a cuppa, maybe put a table out there as well. People love vegie gardens and I can't wait to be sitting down amongst my 'erbs.
Cheers
McBlurter

[JDarvall]

only 2 sleepers high ! ..... mine are better. Their 3 sleepers high.

we look forward to quality fresh veges too. Finding the time to manage them will be the tricky bit.

[wheelinround]

Gardening Australia show ABC http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/ has plenty also the main gardens in Hobart's Botanical gardens are all raised.
The tomatoes are fantastic we have tried them.

[rhancock]

Yes, definitely the best place to go for info - the programs on Sat at 6.30pm, and Sunday at 1pm, and if you've got a Digital box, ABC2 shows it again on Monday at 3pm and then old programs at 3pm the rest of the week. The magazines really good too - my local library has back issues. And there's lots of fact sheets on the website.

Their slogan is "Down to earth gardening" - none of the makeover crap the other do - if its going to be hard work, they'll tell you! Most of the gardens they feature are lifetimes' work.

BTW another good program is Vasili's Garden on SBS Tuesdays 8.30pm and Fridays 7.30pm. http://www.vasilisgarden.com/ The guys a nutcase, and he finds the strangest gardeners, but his enthusiasm is infectious.

[Mcblurter]

3 sleepers high would mean a lot of extra soil, an extra 2 cubic metres!! Plus 400mm is a okay height for a bench seat and not too high for my kids to fall off.
Vasili is great, has been on in Melbourne's Channel 31 (Community TV) for years. SOme of the old Greek and Italian gardeners are wonderful, making use with what they have around the place and using gardening techniques passed down generations. Plus they know how to cook the stuff too!!!
Cheers
McBlurter

[wheelinround]

Yes, definitely the best place to go for info - the programs on Sat at 6.30pm, and Sunday at 1pm, and if you've got a Digital box, ABC2 shows it again on Monday at 3pm and then old programs at 3pm the rest of the week. The magazines really good too - my local library has back issues. And there's lots of fact sheets on the website.

Their slogan is "Down to earth gardening" - none of the makeover crap the other do - if its going to be hard work, they'll tell you! Most of the gardens they feature are lifetimes' work.

BTW another good program is Vasili's Garden on SBS Tuesdays 8.30pm and Fridays 7.30pm. http://www.vasilisgarden.com/ The guys a nutcase, and he finds the strangest gardeners, but his enthusiasm is infectious.

Gardening Australia does podcasts now so anywhere anytime you can have them in your ear or online.

[Tonyz]

My 2bobs worth is no dig gardening, see Bitingmidge previous page. We have done this for years.
Thick layer newspaper 2", layer of pea straw or lucerne hay, layer of organic stuff, stable horse dung not field horse dung or sheep poop.Then repeat till over full leave few weeks to settle and go organic man.
Yeah grow ya own stuff, no herbisides, insectisides or stuff, just smoke the pure opps sorry getting blown away here.

[Geoff Dean]

My patch is 8 sleepers long by 3 to 5 sleepers high x 800mm wide. runs across a slope on the bottom side of a retainer wall that is 2 sleepers higher.

Filled it with drainage rock for 200mm at bottom, and then clay and topsoil from earthworks around it. To this I have added about 8 6x4 trailer loads of horse poo and shavings. Go out to local horse track and they will almost help you fill trailer they are that happy to see it go. Every year I just top it up with more poo and shavings, though this year I have got a good compost heap happening, so will use that instead.

Started the compost mix with...you guessed it...poo and shavings.

Took a good couple of years to get a great mix, but my tomatoes, strawberries and zuccinnis are superb.

Not real good for carrots, too rich apparently as all of them had 3-6 main roots

Beetroot, cauliflower, broccoli and capsicums all love it as well.

The shavings really seem to help break the clay down after a couple of seasons.

[Geoff Dean]

this got me thinking, so I have just been and pulled all the weeds out and dumped another 2 trailer loads of poo in today.

Should be just right in a week or 2 for some baby beets, peas and caulis I'm thinking.