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Adding compost to raised beds

18 years ago

I want to add some compost to my raised beds. I found some bagged compost 'Texas Pure' that is produced by the City of Plano. This compost is certified by the US Composting CouncilÂs Seal of Testing Assurance Program. They provide a data sheet that indicates a pH of 7.96. Is this too alkaline for my raised beds?

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Pure Compost

Comments (7)

  • 18 years ago

    Wouldn't that depend on the soil that you are going to mix it with. Straight compost should never be the end-all of what you plant in, it should always be mixed with the present soil and only to a certain percentage....maybe 25%.

    The pH of your raised beds too would depend on what type of plants you have chosen to put into it.
    Clematis, peony, iris are just examples of plants that do very well in soil that leans to the sweet.
    There are others of course and if you feel a certain plant doesn't...or shouldn't be given such pH, then just change it by adding garden sulfur.
    But, be careful when changing the pH of soil overnight, it can cause much change in the habit of what's in it.
    Read the directions carefully on the label of any garden sulfur you buy or....go into the internet and ask about "garden sulfur".

  • 18 years ago

    Jeannie, thanks for your good advice. I will get a soil analysis and then determine what,if anything, may be needed.

    I have two large beds that are presently filled with vinca, and five beds that were filled with vegetables (tomatoes, sweet peppers, squash, potatoes, okra, eggplant, cucumbers). I am clearing the veggie beds now and thought it would be a good idea to add some compost and let them rest over the winter.

  • 18 years ago

    Follow-up comment and questions -

    About the pH - am surprised to see the compost testing alkaline. I thought that compost is always close to pH neutral (7.0) or slightly acid.

    I am thinking that it would be good to replenish the beds each year as the soil organics decompose and settle. Looks like the beds have settled about 3 inches over the last year.

    I have on hand several bales of 1-year old wheat straw that are decomposing. Under what soil conditions would the wheat straw be recommended as a soil amendment?

    Same question - the pH 7.9 compost?

  • 18 years ago

    I would suspect that this "Texas Pure Compost" isn't. While a pH of 7.9 is not all that much higher than neutral, 7.0, but is higher than any compost I make, so I'd suspect something was added maybe to boost the nutrient load since none of the compost I've made in the last 45 years has had detectable nutrient levels.

  • 18 years ago

    I'm not surprised at all about the pH level. Dallas area is extremely alkaline as is the water.

  • 18 years ago

    I was going to add what shebear did about the water. Mine is 8 to 8.5 out of the tap.

  • 18 years ago

    FYI......that high alkalinity in the water is why Garrett always suggests adding apple cider vinegar to his teas and sprays. And why everything looks and grows so much better when we have more rain.