How to improve this garden bed?

[SteveC]

Hi all,

I am wanting to redo my garden bed (see attached).

Current plan is to cover it with soil conditioner, mulch then plant new plants.

Main problem is most of it is clay once you go down about 7-8cms. I plan to dig the conditioner in either by hand or using a rotary tiller. problem is tillers are expensive to hire and I am on the age pension.

Soil conditioner will be this, https://www.mbsnsw.com.au/product/soil-conditioner/. Our daughter's partner works there and can get me staff discount.

Any ideas? 

Regards,

Steve

[JacobZ]

Hi @SteveC,

Understandably, a Rotary Tiller might be a bit expensive to hire, but it would certainly speed things up a lot, so it is worth considering. If you were to do it by hand, I'd suggest using a combination of a mattock to break up the soil and a garden fork to turn and mix it.

Adding a soil conditioning mix high in organic matter is a great way of improving your garden beds. Mulching over the top will help to suppress weeds and add more nutrients to the soil as the mulch breaks down over time.

I'd also suggest adding some Gypsum Clay Breaker Soil Improver Granules while turning the soil to help break up the clay. 

The combination of turning the soil and adding organic matter and gypsum will do wonders in improving your soil structure and promoting better drainage, which will, in turn, make it a much more productive and beautiful garden bed.

Allow me to tag our experienced gardeners @Noelle, @mich1972 and @robchin to see if they have any tips they can add. 

Jacob