Need Tips on using a Raised Garden Kit

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chrisgietzen Webster, TX Mar 28, 2011

Hi Everyone, I am planting my first garden and I live in the Houston, TX area. I have opted for using a raised garden kit purchased at my local gardening center. Our soil here is clay-based and very hard to till. I don't want to mess with tilling very much so I found a raised bed that is 9" deep with a section that is 18" deep. It is a 4' x 4' kit. My question is, will it even be necessary for me to till any deeper below the raised bed, or can I just remove the sod and put the raised bed in place and fill it with the appropriate soil mixture. I am planting three tomato varieties: Tycoon, Solar Fire, and Roma. Thanks a bunch!

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HoneybeeNC Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b) Mar 28, 2011

chrisgietzen - In my opinion, it is best if you remove the turf and place your raised bed on the clay without disturbing it too much.

If you disturb clay, you can cause a "bathtub" effect - clay soil does not drain quickly. I have heavy, sticky, clay soil here in NC and I just removed the grass and put in the raised beds. That was five years ago and everything grows well.

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chrisgietzen Webster, TX Mar 28, 2011

Hello Honeybee! Thank you so much! You just made my day!

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HoneybeeNC Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b) Mar 30, 2011

chrisgietzen - you're welcome. Enjoy your tomatoes! I've noticed my tomato plants grow down into the clay soil once their roots are long enough. Clay holds all kinds of nutrients, so I get a great crop each year.

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Gymgirl SE Houston (Hobby), TX(Zone 9a) Mar 30, 2011

How about I make your evening, and tell you that you don't have to dig up the sod at all? Just put a thick layer of heavy cardboard down on top, put your RB frame on top of the cardboard and fill it up and go?

Make sure your cardboard extends out from under the RB, so the grass won't grow up through any available spaces.

Linda, who lives in Houston near Hobby Airport...

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Organic_Joe Berne, IN Mar 31, 2011

Both methods that have been mentioned will work just fine, it comes down to how much work you want to put into it. Happy gardening!

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