How to establish new garden bed?

Ryancito

hi guys,

my backyard has just gotten landscaped and I left a little area for a garden bed, pic is attached. It's about 800cm long from the edging to the limestone retaining wall. At the moment there is just the original yellow sand as our home was newly built. 

My plan is to put in some waxy perennials or some basic annuals like vincas, with the 800cm depth I'm not sure if there is enough room for 2 rows of plants?

Also I'm obviously planning to add soil to the bed. I wasn't too sure how much of the yellow sand I would need to dig out?

What kind of soil mix is recommended and would I need to add soil improver?

Cheers

EricL

Hello @Ryancito 

I suggest improving the existing yellow sand rather than removing large amounts. Since sandy soil drains quickly and lacks nutrients, the key is to increase its ability to hold water and support plant growth. Instead of removing 30cm of sand, you can leave it in place and mix in amendments to create a more balanced growing medium.

To improve water retention, use Richgro 10kg Natural Sand to Soil Improver, which contains bentonite clay. Spread 1-2kg per square metre over the sand and use a garden fork to mix it into the top 20-30cm of soil. Water thoroughly to help the clay particles bind with the sand.

Next, add organic matter to improve soil structure and provide nutrients. Garden Basics 25L Compost works well for this—spread a 5-10cm layer over the sand and mix it into the top 20-30cm. For additional nutrients, incorporate Fine Farms 25L Cow Manure, ensuring even distribution throughout the bed to avoid nutrient pockets.

Once the sand base is improved, top it with a nutrient-rich garden soil blend. Garden Basics 25L Garden Soil Mix is a good choice. Spread 10-15cm of this mix over the improved sand layer, lightly mixing the top few centimetres to create a smooth transition. To help retain moisture and suppress weeds, apply a 5-7cm layer of Oreco 26m2 Sweet Garden Sugar Cane Mulch after planting. Keep the mulch a few centimetres away from plant stems to prevent rot.

Finally, water the area thoroughly to help everything settle. To maintain healthy plants, use a slow-release fertiliser like Osmocote 500g Citrus & Fruit Fertiliser every three months. With these steps, you can avoid major excavation while creating a thriving garden bed using the sand you already have.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric