We're wrapping up this raised beds series with one of the most important and common questions. Let's dive into the different options, the pros and cons, and what might be the right choice for you.
There are so many things you can use to fill a pot or raised bed, and it can feel really overwhelming! Like most things in gardening, there's no one best answer, so it's good to know the ups and downs before you commit.
1:08 Option 1
Let's start off by talking about Hugelkultur or the "cheap" method. If you've been gardening for any amount of time, you've probably seen this discussed. It's a really popular method (even for in-ground beds) and for good reason. The idea is that you use what you already have or can get cheaply. Chop down a tree recently? Toss the logs in the bottom!
Hugelkultur is all about using organic matter in layers to fill space. That means you can get away with buying less bagged soil! This is really cool because you use what's in your space and create more of a closed-loop system. I also recommend connecting with neighbors and local arborists.
After your logs, branches, mulch, compost, leaves, etc. you can top things off with topsoil. This is some of the least expensive soil you can get from nurseries, and you can get away with just a couple of bags depending on the size of your bed.
PROS
-Less expensive
-Use what you have
-Diverse ingredients
CONS
-Need materials available
-Maintenance needed
8:53 Option 2
On the other hand, you might be looking for the easiest & fastest way to fill a bed. This is generally more expensive depending on what you purchase. If you choose something like this raised bed mix, it might be great for your plants but not your wallet.
Bagged soil is super easy. You can load up any car, carry it around, and quickly fill up the beds you need to. Unfortunately, that's also a lot of plastic, and it multiplies really fast.
Over the years, we've done just about every combination of these methods over the years. If you think of it on a spectrum, I've done just bags, I've done just free material, and I've done everything in between. It's important to know the options you have as well as the benefits.
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