Before You Fill Your New Raised Beds With Potting Soil Watch This

Sequoiah of Project Tree Collard shows you step by step how to use less potting soil mix in your new raised beds. She demonstrates a hugelkultur inspired technique of using dead wood logs, twigs, and nitrogen-rich greens/manures or kitchen scraps in the bottom of the raised bed. This feeds the soil slowly as it decomposes and also saves you money on potting soil.

[@Perseverance4477]

Nice job!

[@debbrumley5623]

i do this , and just as mounds on the ground (hugelkulter) as my ground is chalk rock, it works so so good for me !

[@projecttreecollard]

i have been doing it in the ground too:)

[@HomeandGardeningbyGrace]

Looks beautiful.

[@projecttreecollard]

thanks!

[@anitatom8569]

LOVE your videos! Do you sell these raised beds?

[@projecttreecollard]

thank you! these are made from salvaged wood and metal from a barn structure

[@christineP68]

I did this with my raised beds but didn’t know the wood had to be dead. Do you know the consequence of using more freshly cut branches?

[@projecttreecollard]

Its probably okay but will take much longer to get going in feeding the soil. To quote Robin Sweetser, "The rotting wood hosts beneficial fungi, bacteria, insects, worms, and microbial growth that create nutrients your plants can use." You are creating an ecosystem in which the beneficial organisms will thrive.

[@JoshuaShepherd]

Any idea how long the deadwood might take to decompose? Great videos- cool to see you take on a very different climate in Grass Valley. I moved from the bay to AZ. Steep learning curve into desert gardening.

[@projecttreecollard]

I think it depends on moisture and microbial soil life. I am guessing 2 years in those beds. Its now been 6 months since we built them and the soil level hasn't really gone down much. Yes...steep learning curve here as well!

[@debbrumley5623]

got a question ? I am here outside Dallas and although I covered the tree collard when it got down to 27 it has freeze damage ? can I just cut of the damage ?

[@projecttreecollard]

cut as little as possible because more freezes may happen. If it is split open badly or rotting, then cut it out...otherwise wait and see if it recovers