100% leaf compost in raised bed?

[shaynster]

I'm starting my first garden in a raised bed and I filled it with 3 or 4 year old leaf compost and mixed in a little peat moss. Will this work for growing tomatoes and green beans? There are some small weeds growing, so I'm guessing my plants should grow.

Thanks,
Shayn

 

[Tetters]

Hello Shayn, welcome Leaf mold is used as a soil improver, but if there is no soil to improve it will be useless in my opinion.

 

[Chuck]

I use leaf mold in my garden and this is all native tree leaves. I rake off all I can of this years leaf fall. What is left I scrape up with a square nosed shovel. This stuff is rotted leaves and fully composted leaves and it is old . A lot of it looks like dirt but when put into a glass jar full of water it is 75% organic matter and very little soil. I have been using this stuff for years. I tried using it full strength but the uncomposted material depleted the nitrogen too much. I have found out over the years that about 30% of this stuff mixed in with soil is the best use of this organic matter. And it does work........REALLY WELL

 

[shaynster]

I use leaf mold in my garden and this is all native tree leaves. I rake off all I can of this years leaf fall. What is left I scrape up with a square nosed shovel. This stuff is rotted leaves and fully composted leaves and it is old . A lot of it looks like dirt but when put into a glass jar full of water it is 75% organic matter and very little soil. I have been using this stuff for years. I tried using it full strength but the uncomposted material depleted the nitrogen too much. I have found out over the years that about 30% of this stuff mixed in with soil is the best use of this organic matter. And it does work........REALLY WELL

So if I was to buy soil to mix with this what should I buy top soil, garden soil, or?

Thanks,
Shasyn

 

[Chuck]

So if I was to buy soil to mix with this what should I buy top soil, garden soil, or?

Thanks,
Shasyn

Garden soil and a good organic fertilizer, molasses, maybe liquid humus and liquid seaweed or kelp.

 

[shaynster]

Thanks for the advise!

Shayn