Question
QUESTION: Hi Mark.  I'm new at gardening, and attempted to build a low wall for my garden with rough flat pieces of stone.  The garden we have is now hidden behind the 2' wall, and I would like to raise the level of the soil & plants.  What is the best way to do this?  (Do I have to somehow rake up the mulch, dig up my plants, and add garden soil?)  When should I begin?  I have perennials for a shady garden, and I live in zone 6.  Thanks so much for your help!

ANSWER: Hello,

If you are going to raise the soil level by 2 feet,then you will have to remove the existing plants and replant them in the raised bed.  Garden soil can be built up substantially with organic matter such as leaves,mulch and green manure plants (plants grown for the organic content they add to the soil).  Other materials such as sand and clay are desirable to add to the mix.
This process can take quite awhile so you might want to have topsoil brought in,although this option is more expensive.  If you have the topsoil readily available,you could be up and ready by this spring,but building the soil up from organic material could take several years.  You will have to amend the soil with the necessary mineral and organic matter to get the right mix for your particular plants and then fertilize.

Although raised beds warm up better,they dry out faster than soil at ground level and so require more watering.
Good luck.  Write back if you have further questions.

Mark  Harshman
http;;//www.harshmandrafting.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - this is helpful.  So if I decide to build up the level over several years by adding organic matter, then should I still dig up the plants and replant after adding the other materials, or can I just add them on top?  Thanks again!

Answer
Hello,

You cannot add two feet of soil to your existing plants. That would smother the roots and kill the plants. Plant roots need to be a certain depth from the surface to perform their functions for the plant.  Even if you were to place this soil on the plants,walking in the garden would compact the soil around the plants and kill the roots in that way.  

Mark Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

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