Raised bed used for annuals and perennials

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marmella Falls Church, VA Jul 24, 2015

We have a raised bed for flowers since the soil is so bad. After several years we cannot dig in the soil due to a shallow network of roots that is almost impossible to break through. What did we do wrong and how can we correct this situation. Thanks.

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Jul 24, 2015

If you have only annuals in these areas, then I would get busy with pick, shovel, rototiller and incorporate a lot of organic matter.

If you have perennials, then you would have to remove them to get access to do this. Dig them in the correct season, pot them up for a while, then add the organic matter.

Soil is a complex material that includes sand, silt, clay, and organic matter in various stages of decomposing. The coarse material might still be identifiable, and about 1/2" to 1" across. The finest is called humus.

Over time the microorganisms in the soil decompose the organic matter, and you have to keep adding more. You would do this by mulching with almost anything that will decompose slowly, and by digging some of the faster decomposing material when you add new plants.

Organic matter in the soil helps to clump the soil together into tiny clods that are easy to work, allow water and air into the soil. A lot like it can be when you first rototill it.

Roots will grow through the soil, and can indeed make it almost impossible to dig without harming the plants. There is no way to get around this- plants take up space in the soil.

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