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Re: Hello, I'm new - Raised bed questions

I haven't done what you are doing but do have raised beds, each about 4x10.
 I've been doing this many years and feel I must tell you most emphatically:
DON'T USE GRASS.  The biggest problem is keeping it out of the beds.  The
grass would definitely hold the soil but would be such a nuisance that it
isn't worth it.  Also, it attracts grubs, slugs, et al.
As for phlox, I was thinking of growing phlox but have read many newsgroup
postings from people who find it unreliable (it often dies out in spots) and
difficult to get started.
What would I advise?  Clover.  I didn't start clover in my garden.  It just
started itself. The root system is fantastic.  The low growing white clover
especially will spread to form a dense mat.  It will attract the bees so
necessary for pollination.  You can dig in it, cultivate in it, walk on it,
but no matter what you do, you will not kill it. It is invasive but provides
nitrogen to your garden.  It is beneficial to the garden.
If you prefer something with showier flowers, the wild geranium (sorry, I'm
no good at names of things) will also spread and is also indestructible.  I
regularly take grass clippers to mine and shave it down.  It will rebloom
after you cut it back.  I have planted these hardy little geraniums in stones
(no soil, just stones) and it did just fine.  This also is invasive but easy
to control.  Easier than weeds, let's say.
Another thing you might try before you plant anything is to lay down a mesh
(like bird netting but with smaller holes) or hardware cloth over the slope.
 This will help keep the slope in place until your plants get started.
Good luck!

In a message dated 97-04-04 01:19:55 EST, you write:

>  -What is the best ground cover to use? I love phlox, but I'm sure
>    regular grass sod would be cheaper.
>  -Is it a pain keeping the cover out of the bed? I'm thinking of
>    using inexpensive plastic lawn edging at the top of the slope.
>  -Does using the slope/ground cover method make the bed as permanent
>    as using timber?
>
>  So, has anyone out there done just what I am attempting?
>

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