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Re: getting started

Go for it. I think any size 4 x 4 and smaller is fine. Not sure why Mel
used 4 x 4, but 2 x 2 or 2 x3 would be just as effective. As long as your
compost is really well, not just partially composted, it should be fine to
use all compost. I would buy a soil check kit though and test the compost's
acid level, maybe add some vermiculite.

We don't use peat moss any more for a couple of reasons:

1. It's not a conveniently renewable resource and we feel that the mining
of peat causes harm in a situation where other alternatives are easy to
find.

2. It tends to shed rather than absorb water.

3. It adds few nutrients to the soil, and nothing that cannot be replaced
by other sources such as coconut fibre, compost, manure, shavings, etc.

Have fun, hope it stops snowing enough for you to do some digging.


> is there a problem if I tweak
>the measurements of the beds?  I was planning to make a few - I can probably
>fit one 4X4 with the rose bushes but for the rest I thought maybe 2x2 or 2x3 -
>is there any reason these would be unworkable?  And regarding the soil - I
>have
>sandy soil well amended with peat and some compose - but would it really be
>good to use ALL compost to fill the raised beds?


Natalie McNair-Huff
Happily Gardening in Tacoma, WA Sunset zone 5; USDA Zone 7/8
Publisher/Editor Mac Net Journal http://www.blol.com/web_mnj/
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