FREE FILL How to FILL RASIED GARDEN BEDS

[@thrive-like-a-viking]

Mark I love watching your videos man its so clear to see you are such a genuinely good person and your passion for growing is just wonderful to observe.... thank you so much for your time and knowledge my friend

[@iamorganicgardening]

I appreciate that so very much. I am trying to make gardening easy as possible. THANK YOU.

[@conguerican]

Thank you very much Mark for all you do for us newbies, and pros alike. I think you are the only gardener who brings science into their videos and do it in an entertaining way. You don't only TELL us what to do, but SHOW us why. Your videos are really the best. Following your advise I made those beds and now I can fill them, again, following your advise. And now, as Australian Mark says: Let's get into it!

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you to Say. THANK YOU so very much. Australian Mark says: Let's get into it. Love that line.

[@Dovey62]

I have been using Autumn leaves, probably for 35 years now. They are true garden gold!

[@iamorganicgardening]

I fully agree with you. Thank You for sharing .

[@Dovey62]

@@iamorganicgardening You're welcome!

[@GreenLove1]

I LOVE Fall Leaves. I have many majestic California Oaks in my backyard, and every Fall they cover my entire backyard with the gift of a carpet of leaves - sometimes I look outside and it seems like those leaves are falling like rain!! The only problem with oak leaves is that they take a bit of time (aka years) to properly break down. A technique that I have been using that works amazing is to run my lawn mower over the pile of leaves before putting them in their destination (raised bed, compost bin, mulch etc). This way they break down in literally a few weeks and produce that fungally dominated black gold soil that my vegetables absolutely love. Thanks for a great video - breaks my heart to see all those fall leaves being thrown away, that is nutrition that your trees have taken from your soil ! You have to put it back!!!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so much for sharing.... how you are using those beautiful leaves .

[@Robert-lz5nv]

Thank you so much for this very informative video. Upon discovering that we really do need air around the base of the (ground) to assist in the circulation for deterioration of the leaves, and wood. I built the bed, and laid down 4 sections of 4" PVC pipe right on the ground with 1/2" holes drilled all into each PVC pipe piece. I then placed a 'tight-nit' piece of fiberglass screen over each end that sticks out of both sides of the raised bed and held the screen into place by using a PVC coupling on each end. Air will constantly circulate all through the bottom, and the screen will keep the critters out. This system really does work folks, and it will make the filled bed deteriorate with a reduced time of deterioration by over 60%.

[@naturegirlmia]

This is so true!! Live on a small farm in central Ohio. Lots of leaves, some aged chicken manure, a cover crop of either red clover or wheat going into the fall and a little Charles Dowding along with your GREAT vid..gets it done. Use black plastic to put the cover crop down towards Spring and our veggies thrive. Have not used my tiller in almost 4 years. Lots of worms as well!! THANK YOU!! Kevin.

[@iamorganicgardening]

VERY NICE.. THANK YOU so very much for sharing your gardening style. Bravo.

[@brunkesbackyardgardening8638]

I took my mower and really shredded my leaves then ran the leaves through a quarter inch sifter. I made 3 4x4x3feet deep added a butt load of coffee grounds and cut grass from my lawn. Not sure I’m doing the correct thing but I have turned it 3 times in four months. My dad says I’m nuts lol

[@brunkesbackyardgardening8638]

I live in central Florida

[@iamorganicgardening]

All is good, just watch that your temp stays low . Below 100 degrees on a 80 degree day. If it is high turn to cooldown .

[@GreenLove1]

You should have nicely broken down compost already if it's been 4 months!

[@az55544]

Winter rye needs to be filled under before it gets too tall in the spring. Tilling ruins soil structure and is a lot of work by hand. Instead, plant a winter kill cover crop like field turnip, peas, or buckwheat.

[@savagehippie420]

I would add some very well decayed wood in a layer on top, maybe even followed by some grass clippings, and then stones/gravel in an amount to create a dense break-down layer and loam in a big layer for microbial dominance over the fungi, then grass clipped mulched for the final result, add a good cover such as clover marigolds,whatever weedy plants you like generally, just be mindful of it's needs and mulch it once used. Just make sure you work in big soil amount, the gravel will layer everything below it as only slightly anaerobic, so be mindful of moisture, and keep things clean, no other additions unless you know what your doing, don't even top dress yet, just wait for naturalization would be my guess everything will fluctuate then acclimatize, be mindful of your roots density and location towards this. quote for usage please. thanks. Hehe xD

[@craiganderson3952]

I love how you mentioned Mark ( self sufficient me) being Australian it made me smile. Yes I seen the episode. Both you and Mark are fair dinkum blokes!! ( translate from Aussie to English, Good Guy's!)

[@iamorganicgardening]

Mark ( Aussie ) and his gardening channel is fantastic. Very happy for him having so many subscribers. Bravo.

[@LaurenceMartinSask]

Thank you for so much wonderful information in your videos. I am really focused on and passionate about soil health. We live in the Canadian Prairies, zone 3, and our soils are hard clay. Plus 10 years of drought and there is quite some work to do to improve the soils. 6" of precipitation in the last 12 months and I have spent the last weeks trying to keep up with watering, but it is a lot of watering... We are lucky, our aquifer is connected to the river close by that is fed by the icefields of the Canadian Rockies. So no shortage of water, but the goal is to change our soils so we need a lot less watering. 3 years ago I discovered the incredible power of fungi through the work of Paul Stamets, for the soils and the humans. We started to do regenerative gardening 3 years ago, then started to cover crop last year. Our constraint is our very short season. So a number of challenges that I find exciting because it pushes us to be creative. I am even having an eye on techniques on how to transform a desert into a lush land, as is one in different parts of the world, I grew up in Africa, so drought is something I am used to. So lots of beautiful adventures with our land. I definitely understood very clearly through one of your videos that the key with cover crops is the roots. Thank you. Everytime we are done with a vegetable i fill in with a cover crop, not knowing how it will turn out because our first frost is around the corner. Our harvest is good, despite the challenges. Thanks again.

[@julietripp465]

I absolutely love this video. I've watched it so many times. I also filled a 20 gallon garden pot for my son using Mark's method. I can't believe how many earthworms are already in it.

[@iamorganicgardening]

That is awesome! THANK YOU.

[@mssavedin92]

that is such a GREAT idea!! I am totally going to do that. Thankyou

[@tammytrawick9713]

Great idea! I’m going to try it!

[@gailthornbury291]

Thank you for this timely lesson. I have a lot of new raised beds this year and have been doing something similar- filling with layers of old cow manure, leafmould, home made compost and grass clippings. I’ve been putting a layer of purchased compost on top to suppress weeds. But I didn’t think of a cover crop. Going to do this with some of these beds as an experiment. If I was trying to fill all these beds with purchased bagged compost I would be bankrupt.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Just a small try will show you why it works. Think of all those roots aerating the growing mixture . PLUS and fantastic organic matter. Thanks for asking. Please add in some of your own native soil ( sand , silt and clay ) They are all minerals.

[@corinnashirk7732]

@@iamorganicgardening ppl

[@paultryba7228]

Mark is doing something a little different here By eliminating the nitrogen ( grass and manures ) it is not going to heat up as much. Why this is important is he will not have to turn it, also at high temperatures over 170, you are turning compost into carbon and killing the beneficial so that being said you will have to continue to turn the pile and mix in the other materials to cool it and add the oxygen. When he adds the cover crop he is using the roots to bring oxygen down and save a lot of labor.

[@Owl4909]

I used to log here in NC. And i noticed huge poke berry plants in very large piles of organic material and topsoil from that trct of timber that gets drug in and get pushed out of the way during logging operations . There kinda like huge composting piles. I grew plants in some of them and they extremely well . Never saw any of them hurting for water either as there is so much organic material of every kind. I recreate some in my own design nowadays and am very happy with it.

[@iamorganicgardening]

You have a great eye to see what nature does. It works very well on its own. BRAVO and THANK YOU for sharing.

[@jackandlenora1983]

i'm so glad I found this. I will start saving my leaves and pine needles. Thanks and GOD BLESS

[@iamorganicgardening]

Wonderful! Happy Gardening

[@jarnevanbec2886]

My philosophy is I never move any organic waste out of my property. Either I compost it, use it as mulch, chip branches. Larger wood is used for fencing etc, or stacked for summer evenings in the fire pit.

[@danielfisch655]

Great information, I’ll have to try using leaves in our new raised bed. I usually use our leaves to mulch our fruit trees. Thank you for sharing another informative video.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad it was helpful and useful to you. THANKS.

[@forestfamilyadventures8956]

So funny I stumbled on your channel.. I must say I did this exact thing In my garden 2 years back and I walked around collecting moles heaps of soil to use in my leaf old.. I had zero cash so I made do with what I had.. Thank you for you video..dont be scared juts do! It's easier than you think

[@iamorganicgardening]

That is awesome to hear from you and you sharing more easy and free it is. Now other viewer's have proof. THANK YOU so very kindly. Happy gardening.

[@ebradley2306]

Good to know about the hugelkultur. Picked up a metal raised bed and put it over my big mostly broken down leaf mold pile. After I dug some trenches into the bottom in my native gumbo clay and placed some logs in there. Can garden all year so will plant something soon to bring the oxygen down to the bottom of the pile. Added the native clay soil back into the leaves. The bed is pretty deep so the logs don't interfere with the plant root area.

[@upupandaway5646]

Smart man,I collect as much as I can every year up to 50 bags every fall ,chop them up ,as I collect 10 big garbage bags of old veggies and fruit from a big produce store ,thank you for your information, take care from vancouver ,Canada

[@iamorganicgardening]

Good stuff. 50 bags AWSOME . Nice to get add the other veggies also. You mush have a amazing garden, THANK YOU for sharing.

[@joannecordone6831]

I use leaves in my compost to balance out kitchen scraps. I know the power of compost, as it usually grows some of my best volunteers. I actually was able to get more leaves this year, and I am adding a new raised bed. I will be putting in a layer or two of leaves. Thanks for the tip.

[@joannecordone6831]

6a Buffalo NY

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great to hear about as you say your volunteers. Get as many leaves as you can. Never a waste of time or effort. Always here to help.

[@annestudley8235]

Thank you for the detailed explanations - I learned a lot in this video.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great to hear! THANK YOU so very much. Here to share.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Thanks for clarifying the pine needle myth…living here in southern Georgia they are plentiful …and I use them as weed deterrents as well as mulch mixed in my soil…a win win…stay blessed thank you for sharing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome. Thank You. Many blessing

[@lifesprodject5265]

Finally some good old fashion utilizing the natural resources AND FREE WAY TO USE NATURE FOR NATURE! SUBSCRIBED!! THANK YOU...

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU for your sub and kind words.

[@MrBucidart]

Mark, how can I say thank you for all of the great information that you give all of us at no charge ...... and I am still trying to find a microscope at a yard sale.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I appreciate that so very much.. It will happen soon at the garage sale. And THANK YOU.

[@geofflowton4165]

your spot on about putting logs in your raised beds i pit tree bark it was very thick almost a year it was the same as it went in the small pieces broke down lesson learned

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome.

[@tallcedars2310]

Great video on creating excellent organic soil for beds. All that is available free to collect here; bagged leaves from our yard, soil from the forest to give it some added bacteria and fungi, manure compost & garden soil. Today happens to be above zero and the snow has melted which gives me a chance to rake more leaves to put on the bed. Unfortunately the soil is frozen but will shred the leaves for application next spring. Absolutely love the pictures of bacteria, fungi, protozoa & nematodes, very helpful as I learn about healthy soil. Am starting to actually think about all those while I work in the garden, but repetition is good for me to really have it memorized. Side note, the wood bed we made from your video gave us an abundant harvest of carrots! Weeding was very easy and harvesting was clean and comfortabe. Thank you so much Mark, you are awesome! All the best from northern BC, Canada.

[@iamorganicgardening]

So very nice to hear from you. I know that you are use to snow but is hard to understand still for me when the grass is still so very green here. THANK YOU for sharing all your gardening thoughts. Stay warm, and ENJOY.

[@rufia75]

Great video. Only thing is that I remember reading and learning that annual vegetables grow much better in a bacteria dominated soil, whereas perennials and trees grow much better in a fungal dominated soil. That being said, one of my main free available organic matter sources for my backyard garden is wood chips, but you use what resources you have available. Trying to grow my compost pile/system to have more bacteria introduced into my veggie garden. Also, the thing that those huge logs from Mark's raised beds are still doing is retaining moisture for his plants so he doesn't have to water as often. Of course, he only did that in a very tall raised bed, so it's fine. They do take a very long time to break down, but in that situation it's completely fine.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I never heard that you want a bacteria dominated soil. Can you inform me what book is that in? Bacteria dominated soil is what weeds like.

[@anikahanisch627]

I'm in Montana, and the bacteria vs fungi dominant concept is well known here, especially in farm and range management circles. Essentially, fungi dominate regions that are more forested (think rotting logs and wood chips). Bacteria tend to be more dominant in grasslands (think dry grass stalks and leaves of small forbs). Regarding the "weeds like bacteria" concept - yes that's true, but simply because the species we call "weeds" are frequently opportunistic prolific-seeding *annuals* that like to grow in recently disturbed soil. That's weed definition is also a good description of most annual veggie species. They too tend to appreciate a more bacterially dominant soil. It's not an either/or proposition of course. (We get so binary sometimes and nature just laughs.) All healthy soils contain both bacteria and fungi. But annual agriculture species prefer more bacteria than fungi. Too much wood chip (as mulch or top dressing) can throw that balance. The simplest remedy is to work in some straw (as long as it's herbicide free!) and... leaf litter! The leaf litter, though it comes from a forest biome, can be balancing in either an annual garden bed or a 'perennial food forest' arrangement. Super nutritive and microbially balancing wherever you use it (at least in my experience.) Good stuff--as you well know! You could Google soil scientist "Nicole Masters" to learn a bit more about the bacteria / fungi balance issue. It's fascinating! -Anika Hanisch, PDC, International Women's Permaculture Design Guild

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@jeil5676 You do not what bacteria to grow to much.. You have all the bacteria you you need from the start. You need to grow more fungi. Like I talk about in the video your goal is a 1 bacteria to 1 fungi ratio. Just Google it.

[@kathynix6552]

Look up JMS - a man from Japan has been encouraging farmers to use it to build up soil microbiome cheaply, quickly and easily. His whole system is called Jadam

[@sharonhochberg3671]

I thought the man that talks about JADAM is from Korea.

[@michelemarble6799]

Great information you should check out regenerative farming technique I think you would find that very interesting. Great similarities with what you were teaching as well. What do you do in the spring with the ryegrass? I live in Maine and would want a cover crop that would die off with the winter. I have raised beds and practice no til gardening.

[@jerrymccarthy5826]

I have the same question here in mass

[@kathykerwin1294]

I would like to know as well

[@mssavedin92]

very valuable and simple instructions. I wish i saw this last year. We collected a ton of leaves BUT put them in black plastic bags ...Two weeks ago, I emptied all the bags into a wooden pallet stall...its about 3 feet wide by 3 ft tall and they are slimy and kinda compressed. What can I do with these now? Thankyou so much for this information. I get it!

[@kathynix6552]

The slime is bacteria which is great - just need to add aged woodchip to balance with fungi.

[@sharonjennings1282]

Great info and as usual, your Jersey accent makes me homesick. Thanks!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Cool, thanks

[@paultryba7228]

Finally, a guy who knows what he is talking about. You could add compost or compost tea to jumpstart biology. Your videos are solid.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Yes, a great addition. THANK YOU.

[@RELSIMON]

Thank you Marc! Your videos have been a game changer for me.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great to hear and THANK YOU for your kind words. Here to Help. Enjoy the rest of your week ahead.

[@johnny0253]

hey i been adding leaves to my garden for 5 years,,,,lots of them.....i compost them and add it in the spring,,,,,,i just had a soil test done and they recommended me adding lots of those minerals,,,,,boron/ sulphur/maganesse/ zinc/ etc etc,,,,,,,,,,

[@iamorganicgardening]

Now you have proof you do not have to.. They are in the leaves already. Enjoy.

[@johnny0253]

@@iamorganicgardening i have proof of what?? if there was minerals in the leaves i wouldnt need to be adding any store bought minerals......there might be minerals in them leaves but probably not enough to make a difference

[@kathynix6552]

That is why Mark says adding soil or sand is important to add minerals into the bed

[@graceteshima]

In the spring, do you TURN OVER the winter rye into the soil? Thanks, Marc!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Never till. Just cut down to soil level.

[@jamesstorm5892]

Another great video, Mark. I learned about leaf mold.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you enjoyed it and glad to share with you. Many Thanks.

[@robertbrawley5048]

Winter rye is not available to me the Southern States store is 12 miles away and I'm not into ordering every thing . Would dry lima beans at the grocery store or other dry beans act as a cover crop . They grow well in the 7a zone area in the winter time in Northern va

[@iamorganicgardening]

Any thing that grows and has a living root all winter can be used. Thanks for asking

[@NewMindGarden]

Wow great voice.. and the video.. 🌿🌸

[@iamorganicgardening]

WOW, Thank You. New camera and wireless mic a viewer sent me to help my channel.

[@NewMindGarden]

@@iamorganicgardening wow.. GREAT 👍😊

[@maylemom]

Thank you for your videos. I'm rather new to setting up a garden and you have taught me LOTS! This is the first year I have planted a cover crop. We have an excellent seed company near by that creates their own mix for our area. When I purchased, he said to make sure to plant it by September 15, which I did. Now the leaves are falling and I'm gathering them from all my friends. The cover crop has grown an inch or two. 1)Can I put leaves over the top of them? or will I kill what has already grown? 2) I have gathered lots of leaves. Can I add them in the spring? or is it best for the fall only? 3) For the spot where your zinnias are growing, how long did it take the leaves to decompose to that consistency?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Let the cover crop be.. Do not add leaves it will kill them. Collect and save as many leaves as you can and store outside in wire or wooden bins. Add in the spring as top mulch also good. I place 2 feet of leaves on 1 acre last fall ( Nov 2019 ) And grew potatoes early spring planter April. Harvest them and then planted zinnias and moved all to the leaf mold to next field behind it this August. I just left that one plant for show.

[@johnmarshall2576]

What do you do with the cover crop when its time to utilise the bed for your vegetables ??

[@Nexus-ub4hs]

Fantastic video, so much information and very helpful! It was my first year growing veg, and making raised beds quickly on a budget. I did do hugelkulture but not with big logs, smaller branches and a mix of stuff, cardboard grass cuttings and kitchen waste and a lot of soil on top, compost was hard to get so only planted around each plant (companion planting). It worked pretty well, did sink a bit as expected. But since the beginning of August till now, there’s been more or less non stop rain and lower than average temperatures which has left the plants in other beds and pots confused I think and slowed. Such is life lol, all a learning curve. Many thanks again!

[@iamorganicgardening]

It is all about the weather. As a farmer also I have many times I lose crops. Just keep trying. Thanks for sharing.

[@phildevaney498]

Our village comes by and picks up brush and wood, etc, and chips it. They then leave it in a pile where residents can access it. I noticed that on the back side of the pile the wood chips have composted and turned into, what looks like, dirt. Can that be used as the soil which goes on the leaves, as per this video? I'm actually curious if it can be used for filling a raised bed period.

[@iamorganicgardening]

That back part in the pile is still and will never be soil. Soil is sand, silt and clay. You can use that instead of leaves.

[@TheZachary86]

3:35 dried leaves 2 inches 4:45 soil 2 inches 6:35 2 inches of leaves

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very much.

[@gloriastanley15]

*

[@deborahchristmas8752]

So does the winter rye get killed off with the freeze? This is awesome information, Mark. I was just pondering how to fill up garden beds without having to spend money on topsoil.

[@earlshine453]

If you are without topsoil dig out out a trench in the raised bed and set the soil apart for the layering. Throw anything compostable in the trench, like scrapped cardboard, kitchen and garden waste, in general the stuff you would put into your compost bin. Winter rye is frost resistant, but you will have to kill it in spring before it goes to seed, by mowing it and covering it with cardboard or plastic for some weeks. I also added yellow mustard and phaecelia to the seed mix (these don't survive the frost). Hope this helps.

[@iamorganicgardening]

No, It stays green and living all winter even under snow and could grow up to 5 feet tall until July in our 6 b zone.

[@samjones3106]

I used corn as a cover crop. I figure the freeze will kill it off and save me some work. Daikon radishes work good too and are easy to kill off.

[@sararichardson737]

Such a happy Zinnia. Points!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU kindly.

[@d65-m1x]

Mark I got 80 yds of mulch earlier this year. I pile up 4 or 5 tractor bucket loads in by my chickens. i then throw fermented whole grains, food scraps, and grass and weeds on top. chickens scratch, peck, and poop on the pile. they knock it down, i turn it over and pile it back up. after 5 or 6 weeks it is pretty much black gold. can i layer this with leaf mold or is it too rich? oh yeah i just got a dump truck full of leaves 😁. thx

[@iamorganicgardening]

The biggest thing you have to be concern about is the temp. Yes you can use it. Must be below 80 degrees and use a cover crop to keep air flowing at all levels

[@d65-m1x]

@@iamorganicgardening my compost thermometer is 15 or 18 inches long. am i taking the temp that far down? your thermometer only seemed to be maybe 6" or so. thx

[@bfulton7180]

Good info Mark. I'm doing this very thing this week.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Excellent! THANKS

[@aburggra]

Another great video! Thank you so much for the insight about planting a cover crop and mixing in soil. I just started collecting leaves. Was just thinking about what to do with the leaves and where to leave them and I just received my bag of winter rye seeds last week. I bought perennial rye, secale cereale var. multicaule (called (Wald)staudenroggen in Germany) i.o. the more common annual rye, secale cereale. So your video came just at the right time. I've already sown some hairy vetch, vicia villosa, together with rye elsewhere (although for the vetch it says: 'sow in September latest', but I'll see how it goes).

[@iamorganicgardening]

All sounds good. Gardening is all about trying. THANK YOU so very much for sharing.

[@jjyemg2397]

You did a nice job on this. Here is a thought on burying logs and sticks. It DOES do something besides taking up volume. It holds moisture to keep roots from drying out

[@iamorganicgardening]

It all depends on the type of wood. Oak will take forever. With all leaf mold in this bed it will hold 3 times more water than wood. Thanks.

[@jjyemg2397]

@@iamorganicgardening nO WAY, BUT A GOOD TRY

[@samuraioodon]

can you use woodchips in places of the leaves?

[@robc2536]

I'm seeing the bags of leaves begin to pop up on the curb around my area. Time to drive around and load up the van. What's your opinion of throwing some wood-chips or small twigs in the pile to help create air spaces?

[@iamorganicgardening]

That is fine to do with wood chips and small twigs. It is all to do with microbes in your bed. They need water and air and food. Wood chips never tie up nitrogen. It may be to fungi to grow certain crops. It can always be fix by adding worm casting. They bring in all the correct workers and make all plant available nutrient's for all garden vegetables.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Who was the gardener. Love to what the video . Thanks in advance.

[@GreenLove1]

@L B I had possibly a related issue. My woodchips were initially spread on top of the grass to kill off some of my lawn. I made furrows (about 6 inches deep);and put good potting soil in the furrows and planted seeds ... They grew well but after a month or so, started turning yellow. Possibly hit the decomposing grass, woodchips etc, but it does seem that wood chips use nitrogen while they decompose - which takes years. Eventually they will turn into the best soil ever, but for now, I prefer to use it as mulch, and to cover my walkways.

[@dwarfgh]

I've been looking at building a raised bed using galvanized steel. I'm not so concerned about the zinc leaching into the soil, but I would like to know what your opinion is on cadmium and lead leaching into the soil. Thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions from your students.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I am Sorry.. I do not know.

[@DovidM]

Good question! Zinc ingots often contain cadmium and zinc. Galvanized steel pipes used for delivering water in homes do release unacceptable levels of cadmium and lead into the water. I don’t know if the same holds true when using galvanized tanks in the garden but I would personally only use them for ornamentals.

[@winnipegdigitalpsychogeogr5958]

Thanks for a clear and informative video Mark. I am just filling a couple new raised beds now (have always been doing a small soil mound on ground) and wondering if any seeds from "weeds" in grass clipping will end up in the bed and germinating in the spring? I particularly appreciate your tips for planting a winter cover crop to get the growing medium working and introducing growing cycling prior to spring planting while keep the growing medium aerobic . Thanks again!

[@iamorganicgardening]

If weeds do grow. How is the time to get leaves to use as mulch for free next spring so you do not have weeds. And THANK YOU for watching.

[@backcast4220]

Great video, can you explain what you do with the cover crop in the Spring and how you plant seeds or seedlings

[@iamorganicgardening]

Will do! This is one of many playlist on winter rye, what to do : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZS0fqCtqqaZl6c .

[@iamorganicgardening]

And also this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGnLhZ1jgayUhJI

[@XyZ98768]

I'm a new subscriber to your channel and have been binge watching your videos. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge! We just moved to zone 6B and I'm trying to figure out the best way to set up a garden ASAP. What would you suggest?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome, THANK YOU for the sub. First is truly you choice on what you wish your garden to look and work like. Planting direct into real soil, Raised beds due to less bending( your height of bed your choice ). Budget. Container gardening.. etc.. Easy way to go is just buy some soil ( not potting mix with peat moss ) it will be a mix sand, silt and clay. And just make a mound 3 feet wide and 8 inch tall with a curve top. Your choice of length. Best fertilizer is worm casting to use.. Plant the mound and cover with some type of mulch. That easy. Make sure the area get 8 hrs of direct sun and water source near by.

[@jSheapullen]

Thank you for sharing. Love the info...am on it!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU to sharing your very kind words.

[@johnjude2685]

Loving your teaching,Sir thanks

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you. Always here to share and help. THANK YOU.

[@savagehippie420]

Awesome video man, I've started layering soil too in a way, the anaerobic is very useful for breaking down, and also for attracting predator bugs if you attract a good amount of others, I've just got a naturalized spawn mushroom in my bed from the loam and huge-kulture layer filled mostly with leaves to decay, my plants even grew in the leaves at a stage but it was well mixed, my cannabis provides places for spiders, and mantises, and my gooseberries are just across coming up along with some blueberry, marigold and a few other natives fat plants etc: I make little tracks for them for moisture retention to develop down deep,and for the look of course. You definitely get what you put in and how you do it. Grass clippings is great for me so far. just gets pulled.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Hello, Due you mean aerobic ? Anaerobic is not good do to the lack of oxygen . THANK YOU for all the other information. Glad you shared.

[@tammytrawick9713]

Hi Mark! Quick question. I have a compost pile that went cold probably due to me having too many leaves in it. I went to gather some to use as mulch but it was very fibrous with tons of roots in it. Nothing was growing out of it though. Is this ok? I was scared to put it in my raised bed in the event it was some sort of invasive vine????

[@iamorganicgardening]

If you remove the root all will be good. do not leave and roots in the mix. Just take your time removing it , check twice.

[@tammytrawick9713]

@@iamorganicgardening thank you so much!

[@dorothyhill905]

Thank you for the very informative and easy to understand video. I have two questions as a new gardener. I already started filling and using a raised bed garden this past summer. Can I follow your instructions although I already have other raised bed soils and supplies in my raised bed that is not at capacity, yet? Also, is it necessary to cover my raised bed with tarp or some other cover just in case there is too much rain or too cold winter? Thank you for your response.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Answer to first ?. Yes . . Never cover you bed with a trap. I understand there is lots of videos that do this to reduce weeds maybe. But mulch does this just like nature does . Rain is good to grow microbes and to store water in your bed also for next year use. Plus you need fresh air to go in the soil and also be release back you. Traps slow this down. It is always your garden your choice. Enjoy.

[@jean-pierreposman7282]

Good information. Thanks. I did'nt know that playground stand also was good for the ground and the worms ...

[@iamorganicgardening]

You bet it is. It is a mineral that the microbes break down.

[@kathynix6552]

River sand probably bettet

[@tammytrawick9713]

Hi Mark! I am doing this now with all of my fall leaves! I have a ton! Since it is warming up fast here in Louisiana, can I plant something like crimson clover or another cover crop other than winter rye? Any suggestions?

[@iamorganicgardening]

When is your last frost date? What is your soil temp lately?

[@tammytrawick9713]

@@iamorganicgardening I should be past my last frost date. My soil temps are around 70-75

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@tammytrawick9713 So instead of clover you can plant sugar snap peas

[@tammytrawick9713]

@@iamorganicgardening thank you so much! I always learn so much from you!

[@joycesmith1270]

Thank you so mush, I really learned a lot,

[@bkershaccount]

i love your channel so much. thanks for all the info and help. when it comes time to plant in the bed next spring, what do you do with the rye?...how do you prep to plant in the bed? do you water rye any during winter? when it comes time to plant, your veggies aren't too low down in the bed from the leaves decomposing? if i don't have an area in my garden to get native soil, can i go out get some local soil? do i need to be worried about any diseases if i just go dig up some 5-gallon buckets of native soil somewhere near by, like a friend's yard in the country? can this only be done fall into spring or could i do it once till spring and then do it again with stored leaves so the next spring it would be a full bed instead of half-gone?....is winter rye only for winter?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Winter rye playlist this year. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZS0fqCtqqaZl6c. You only have to water it if needed due to no rain or snow. That is why you you need to save more leaves for the spring time. Yes, your friends yard is fine as long as no chemicals are use in the yard. It is only have gone a year later not when you plant next spring. Yes, collect and store as much a you can outside. You can plant winter rye in the spring also.

[@sqwrrl]

Awesome, thanks so then what to do with the winter rye grass when I am ready to plant in the spring? Will it be dead or do I need to turn it under

[@iamorganicgardening]

Cut down just below soil level 30 days prior to planting your seeds or transplants. Do NOT Till in deeper than 1 inch.

[@gmo3686]

Excellent video!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very much.

[@wayneshufelt3393]

Where I live, temps can get down to -25C or more and winter can last into April. Will this system work under these conditions. I'm new at this and and to start growing next spring.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I know a farmer in North Dakota that does this on 3000 acres and all is well. Thanks

[@TTSocialMedia]

Its April and Im in Northern CA; too late for cover crop right? but thank you, this is wonderful and you've given me the courage to try it out this autumn.

[@iamorganicgardening]

It is worth the try.. THANKS

[@patpayne3352]

When I am ready to plant, do I pull my cover crop or just cut at ground level?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Just cut it down to soil level. THANK YOU for asking.

[@persuethedream9862]

Yes, thank you for asking. I was wondering about that too!

[@darrenlewis7001]

Great video. I guess by adding some soil to a compost pile will make it so you don't have to turn it as much also?

[@iamorganicgardening]

This is not compost. It is leave mold ( all brown material ). It Should not build heat at all. The grass clipping is just a warning to watch out for. THANKS for asking.

[@brittonbethelbaptistchurch8353]

Mark, is it necessary to shred the leaves? Or can you use them whole?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Whole is just fine also. Thanks

[@wuiwu6900]

what will you do with the winter rye when spring arrives for planting?

[@bighammer587]

Wut wu, I have the same question... this step seems to be glossed over! Anyone??

[@stanneufeld2163]

Mark, you mentioned alternating soil with leaf mold. I assume you can also use compost instead of soil ?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Can you use compost instead, Yes... BUT you will have to replace in every year. Soil will stay there for the next 100 + years and has all the minerals you need. Compost does not.

[@gabbygertie8709]

My back yard soil is more like a gravel pit so we are building raised beds early this spring. They will be 18 inches high, 4x10. I have no idea what kind of dirt to put in these. Do I use a fill dirt for the first 10 inches and then buy screened black dirt for the top 8? The city has compost for free from yard waste can I mix that in with the black dirt? I'm concerned that the compost might have walnut, oak, or elm leaves in it that might be detrimental to plant growth. Trying to get my ducks in a row here in lower Western Michigan.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Fill dirt might be all clay.. Which is not a good start. Plus where is it coming from? might have dad things in it. Next , What is the cost of you screened black dirt? I would ask around on social media about how good the free compost is from the city. But rest assure the fall leaves you talk about do not do any harm. I have been using them for years. What you state is just a myth. I have use over 40 tons of them on my farm and all grows fantastic. Enjoy

[@gabbygertie8709]

@@iamorganicgardening thank you for your reply. I once put elm wood chips on my garden, different house back then, and my garden did not do well after that. Not sure what happened.

[@ale347baker]

So, I shouldn't bury my leaves deeply in the soil? I did already, and then I looked it up 😞. I buried it with about 5 inches of soil, then added more leaves on top as well. I just bought new soil in bags, it had some large sticks that I didn't remove, but otherwise it looked good. Then I added leaves, and more soil, then more leaves. Was this wrong? 2nd question: Can I cover the raised bed with plastic, or is it better to leave it open to rain and snow? Thank you!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Never cover the raised bed or any soil with leaves with plastic. It soil needs to breath

[@SistersBreakingBad]

I have a lot of wood chips still in bags from last year. Should I use that for mulch or just use it to make pathways and fill divets?

[@iamorganicgardening]

You can us for mulch.

[@jimrenderer6627]

Mark, can you use this method to grow fall & winter crops(Ruth Stout method) such as beets,carrots and lettuce ?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Are you talking about adding a layer of straw on top??

[@charlesbale8376]

Terrific information, enjoyed the video.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks

[@kathykerwin1294]

Hi Mark, I planted garlic a couple weeks ago in a 4x8 ft bed. Can I add shredded up leaves and dirt on top and plant a winter rye grass crop right over the newly planted garlic? Thanks

[@iamorganicgardening]

I would not do That. Garlic will be doing the same thing as winter rye. Keeping a living root in the ground. here is a video i did on that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpbRmYWNf8aer8U

[@josanders1428]

Love your show. What do you think of all these teas and stuff like Jadom?

[@iamorganicgardening]

I do not know anything about them.. Sorry.

[@richardbarksdale3810]

Thank you so much, you know I believe that God wanted me to watch this video today and I know He never will do me wrong ever. Thank you for sharing your video!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Wonderful to hear. THANK YOU.

[@reality_bites7887]

hey godboy

[@richardbarksdale3810]

@@reality_bites7887 Well you can never be to sure. Better to be safe than sorry!

[@jackiekitchennowordsneeded587]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you enjoyed it! THANK YOU for watching.

[@oregonk91]

Returning to this video with a question (such brilliant info btw): As I have arugula sprouting in my raised bed which will grow over the winter and give me a good winter/spring crop, I also want to add some leaf mold/mulch to the bed this autumn (November now in Pacific NW). I'm conflicted with not wanting to bury my little arugula plants but wanting to add a layer to the bed before next year. Thoughts on how deeply I can add (composted) leaf mulch?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Just do not add now. All is good as is. Just save and add latter when the arugula is all done. The arugula is like a cover crop and will do more for you soil health wise than the leaf mold. Enjoy.

[@kathynix6552]

Can you leave the extra leaf mould in its own separate pile to turn into valuable goodness for your garden bed once the arugala has finished

[@kannonmcafee]

What do you do with the winter rye come spring planting time?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Here is a playlist I did this year on that : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZS0fqCtqqaZl6c . Here is another one : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGnLhZ1jgayUhJI .

[@kannonmcafee]

@@iamorganicgardening Thanks, but that's really not going to work for me with a 10 x 20' plot in a community garden that would never allow such cover crops with seed heads forming. What kind of cover crop could I grow for my situation? Clover?

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@kannonmcafee Yes, any clover is good and cut back before it blooms and go to seeds.

[@junelewis5266]

Thank you! I love this! I have no money now, so I am so grateful for this info!Question: I have one tree that casts off seeds with their r leaves and they fall in the midst of all the other leaves... would they still remain viable in that method

[@oregonk91]

June, 2 thoughts about tree seeds ... they usually like to be on top of soil, so if they're buried, you're less likely to get growth if they do germinate. And secondly, we do get seeds germinating from compost, or weed seeds blowing in on top of veg beds, so we still have to weed. I often have maple seedlings all over my yard and I just have to be vigilant, catch them early and rake them to dislodge/kill them. Same in a raised bed. I wouldn't bother picking out the tree seeds, use the leaves and enjoy!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Yes you do... The comment your received is a great answer. Thanks.

[@junelewis5266]

@@oregonk91 thank you!

[@franksinatra1070]

I have a new raised bed I'm planning on building next month and was going to use the hugelcultur technique but not with huge logs like Mark down in Australia. I have a lot of smaller half rotted logs in my yard that I was going to put down first and some plants that I just pulled out of the garden on top of the logs. Then top off buy mixing leaves and and soil and a little compost. I wasn't planning on using a cover crop but instead just mulch with more shredded leaves. Does that sound like an effective technique?

[@iamorganicgardening]

You have to go more than that. Microbes need air and all over this planet is a living root to give soil and compost air. That is what I am trying to share with you in needs a living root to help it.. I know there is lots of videos on KZbin that does not plant a cover crop of winter rye. But it is very helpful if you do. But first you must have a way to cut it down at soil level next spring, like a weed Wacker.

[@franksinatra1070]

@@iamorganicgardening I have used hairy vetch as a cover crop but it is very high in nitrogen and should only be used where nitrogen loving plants will go or you could have problems. Is winter rye high in nitrogen also? Thanks.

[@irq001]

you mentioned that two cups of used coffee grounds can be added per cubic foot of leaves. I am building a circular raised bed 2 feet high and 5 feet diameter, which will have a volume of about 40 cubic feet. If I fill this bed with only leaves and no soil, should I be adding 80 cups of used coffee ground ? What is the size of this cup ? Thanks.

[@ChessKombat]

Hey Mark, Thank you for this wonderful video idea. If I were to use raised bed solution for perennials like strawberries, how would I be able to raise that soil level back up without smothering the strawberries? Would I need to pull them up and then replant?

[@iamorganicgardening]

YES, replanting is just fine to do. Thanks for asking.

[@nancy5721]

Would planting this cover crop prevent native pigweed grass from growing up through my raised bed? It is a horribly invasive grass that grows under my 1 ft bed frame and through the cracks at the corner joints and consumes the entire bed even with planted veggies. Halfway through the season the grass is as far along in growth as my planted crops. I cannot afford a tiller, plastic sheeting, or wood chips. I cannot even afford soil. I'm located in TN which is heavy clay in areas.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Sorry, No it will not.

[@venessamarquis2247]

how late in the season can you plant winter rye? (i'm in zone 6a)

[@charlenekociuba7396]

Thank you for the guidance as I am just where you are at, layering in leaves and soil. Good to know how deep the soil layers should be in comparison to the leaves. I did not know about the winter rye seeds but I'll pick some up today. It's important to do this right and I appreciate this timely video. Big question, I don't see you chopping up the leaves but assume you have done so. Will I be successful just putting in fresh leaves in a plastic can and use my lightweight weed eater to chop them up of course? Do you add on blood meal as well and is this applied to the leaves or to the soil layers? How would you amend an already existing raised bed? I noticed it has gone down some and want to raise it up again, ready for the Spring? Do you also put the rye on this or is that unnecessary? I'm zone 5 in Central NY and it is a very wet area most of the time and very soggy in the Spring. Any advice on that condition?

[@iamorganicgardening]

You can chop or not , works out about the same way. You can do that with a weed eater of just a lawn mower. There is more nutrient's in the leaves than bone meal. If you wish to ad something great it is worm casting that you can buy online. To help out any raise bed is leaves, native soil, worm casting and planting a cover crop to your liking. Thanks

[@acquanetteedwards9673]

@@iamorganicgardening thanks for that last little comment... cover crop of your liking. I have yellow clover and wondered if it would work. Thanks

[@suzannecpa]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@iamorganicgardening]

My pleasure! Always here to help and share. THANK YOU.

[@dinavoutour7796]

Love this! Thank you

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy Gardening

[@rachelle1]

So, what do you do with the cover crop when you want to plant in the spring? So you pull it up? Please advise.

[@iamorganicgardening]

You just cut it down right at soil level

[@mmsdcb9081]

Can you add chipped bark to the leaf bin? We have alot of poplar trees that shed their leaves and I’ve started a leaf bin. We also have branches . I did purchase a wood chipper and would like to chip the branches and put them into the leaf bin. Would that be ok ?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Yes, 100 %

[@mmsdcb9081]

@@iamorganicgardening thank you!

[@vinnettepope8255]

Awesome 👌garden tips and tutorial 😀

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@keithsage1593]

I dig out a trench 30 inches deep and fill with ground leaves 40 inches (packed)high cover with turned clay /soil it decomposes 2 years and its great my garden loves it.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Sounds great! VERY NICE. Thank YOU for sharing

[@debravictoria7452]

I'm so confused. So when spring comes and you're ready to plant, do you just plant on top of the cover crop? If you pull it out it would disturb the soil and kill the good stuff? New to all this.🤷🏻‍♀️

[@iamorganicgardening]

This video will help you. Easy to do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJuoanuOes2pjJY

[@debravictoria7452]

@@iamorganicgardening I'll check it out.👍

[@claud1542]

great vid. i added leafs to my existing soil bed. its amazing to see all the worms come and the fungi start to spread. i was wondering come spring time can top dress my leaf mulch if it isn't fully composted with my garden or is that too much nutrient? thank you

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU. you can always top dress, All plants will only take up what it truly needs in organic gardening.

[@omsubedi845]

Hi Mark, thanks for the detailed video. How to mimic this in a large scale, especially the topping with soil part?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Are you do it in raised beds? . If so or just over a large flat area. Due like i do on several acres. Place leaves down 2 to 3 inchs on soil and roto till in your soil level from below.. With 2 inch of soil , than place move leaves on top and rotor till mixing the leaves and soil from below you just did. Repeat until you get to the max height of your tiller.

[@jillkar49]

Mark I would like to plant some flowers and winter veggies in an area that has bahia grass. Can I just dig a space in grass , add compost and plant seeds? I'm south of Tampa Florida so do not get a freeze.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Yes, absolutely.

[@Corey-gb1rx]

such good information bless you sir

[@iamorganicgardening]

Many blessings to all your loved ones. THANK YOU.

[@lorettarussell5575]

I just found your channel yesterday, watched several videos and subscribed. I really learned a lot especially about leaf mold. I liked the raised bed made from wire lined with wood chips and filled with leaf mold. I am just starting to collect leaves to improve the soil, I have mostly red clay dirt most of which is hard compacted. I have a lot of what I have been told is buttercup weed that I have been trying to get rid of for many years mostly by digging it up plant by plant. Many have roots that are more than 12 in. long. I have to use a long screw driver go around the plant when the ground is moist to be able to loosen the ground to be able to pull them up. Do you have any suggestions for getting rid of this weed? This weed is mostly what I have instead of grass. Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

[@iamorganicgardening]

If you add 1 foot of leaves on top of your soil it should help 99% to get rid of it. Buttercups love poor soil. This link is some great info. www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/how-to-kill-buttercup-weeds.htm . THANK YOU for the sub.

[@lorettarussell5575]

@@iamorganicgardening Thank you for the information. I am starting to get as many leaves as I can get.