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Bed Depth

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Issue on behalf of a List Member.
Situation.  Clay, hard packed.  Someone graveled on top of that, next owner
added what is now 1" of dirt, and grassed it.

Proposal 1)  Put nearly 200 SqFt of raised beds, 10" deep, on this.  The
member had seen decent to good results in a somewhat similar situation where
only 3" of soil was dug into.

Proposal 2)  At any reasonalble expense in terms of time or cost (Please
define what is reasonable and what is going too far in your reply, in your
opinion, and why, if appplicable) dig into the existing soil first.

Remarks:  A friend's rototiller has had a damaged blade attrempting this dig. 
This is not a sturdy young fella.
------------------------
My reply included an offer to take this to List...

Also I said I have had experirence w this and felt a rented rototiller which
ended up w a damaged blade for a rock in the soil would be subject to no ills,
as the blade may have been weakened when rented, and rocks are to be
expected.

I would favor a pick. to 'crack' the surface.  A year later, if this is not
predug, an attempt then would be a hassle but the rock imbued soil would be
more pliable at that time.

Or a second layer could be added to ake the beds deeper, having raised the
issue of tomatoes which would have spreading roots occur, tap rooted plants
like broccoli may adapt or not, and overall yields and spacing suffer, and
carrots would be a shorter version as required to be planted.

Result is 145 bags of quality top soil premixed or made to total the 4ish cu
yds required, when fluffed, with maybe 5-10% as composted manure.  (About 5
-1000lb car loads with 25 bags each trip, 40 lbs per bag, $1 per bag/cu ft.
$145 plus materials for bed walls.)

Last thoght the member had was doing 1-2 beds a year instead of the planned 4
beds, totalling the 200ish SqFt, or 176 CuFt, 145-ish fluffed, estimated. 
Time to build will be required.  Well considered opinions appreciated. TIA
Bill

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