skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Making a raised bed

11 years ago

Hi

I am planning to make a raised bed vegetable garden for the first time. I have a friend who has chickens and has fresh manure mixed with straw. Can I put this down on top of the base layer of newspaper and then build up from that assuming that the fresh manure will have broken down by the time the roots of the vegetable plants reach that layer? Or does it not work that way? Is there any concern with bad bacteria still getting into the vegetables?

Thanks for any advice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

galinas
11 years ago
I wouldn't risk with fresh chicken manure - it is too strong. The best way is to compost it with straw or leaves first. Or make a really high bed, to make sure roots will not reach it - but then it is a waste of manure... Also keep in mind that decomposing manure produce heat - if you in the warm zone it could be not good even if you put it deep down. I wouldn't be concerned about bacteria at all - birds are flying above your garden anyway and poop there... Just wash your veggies - as usual.
Related Professionals
Jacksonville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Utica Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kenosha Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Santa Barbara Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Springfield Landscape Contractors · Boston Landscape Contractors · Hempstead Landscape Contractors · Eau Claire Landscape Contractors · Edmonton Landscape Contractors · Montgomery Accessory Dwelling Units · Gainesville Accessory Dwelling Units · Buffalo Accessory Dwelling Units · Wausau Accessory Dwelling Units · Amarillo Accessory Dwelling Units · Amherstburg Accessory Dwelling Units

Related Stories

FARM YOUR YARD How to Build a Raised Bed for Your Veggies and Plants

By Annie Thornton

Whether you’re farming your parking strip or beautifying your backyard, a planting box you make yourself can come in mighty handy

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Raised Beds Lift Any Garden

By Danyelle Mathews

From good old-fashioned wood garden boxes to modern metal troughs, raised beds can make any landscape space look great

SPRING GARDENING Inspiring Raised Beds for Fall and Spring Planting

By KitchenLab Interiors

Make Your Next Vegetable Garden Even Better with Beautiful Boxes and Paths

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Materials for Raised Garden Beds

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Get the dirt on classic and new options for raised vegetable and plant beds, to get the most from your year-round garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Build a Raised Bed to Elevate Your Garden

By Danyelle Mathews

A bounty of homegrown vegetables is easier than you think with a DIY raised garden bed to house just the right mix of soils

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Pros and Cons of Making Your Bed Every Day

By Leonora Sartori

Houzz readers around the world share their preferences, while sleep and housekeeping experts weigh in with advice

BARN HOMES 12 Bar-Raising Barns

By Becky Harris

Homeowners make hay out of renovated, reclaimed and newly raised outbuildings

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Abundant Garden Makes Room for Plants

Gardens focused on plants provide joy and solace with their billowing layered beds, overflowing containers and walls of green

PETS Raise the Woof: Doghouses Delight at Barkitecture 2012

Designs at an annual Austin fundraiser are whimsical, practical and downright luxurious — no bones about it

WINDOW TREATMENTS Roller Shades Raise the Curtain on Style

By Mary Jo Bowling

The humble window treatment is stealing the scene with fresh patterns, color and pizzazz

Sponsored

Inspired Closets Columbus

Innovative & Creative Custom Closet Designer Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Garden Tales >>> July 2026

18

Bean disappointed

6

Wish I hadn't been so smug

16

leaf sizes on mint?

2

metal raised beds for veges

8