Which order of materials

[DiParticipant]

Hello Charles and fellow gardeners

I plan on covering beds in autumn with a number of materials. I read that 2″ would be sufficient but as i have access to plenty of material it makes sense to me to use it. This is just the end of my first year with no-dig and feel whatever efforts are made to build the soil condition with be beneficial.

I have: green waste; well rotted manure; 3 y.o+ leaf mould and own compost. Which order would you recommend we layer, please?

I must say that we’ve been absolutely thrilled with our yields this year. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and advice, Charles.

[charlesModerator]

Nice to hear that your crops are good.
Lucky you having all those composts.
I wonder how old and how woody your green waste compost is. Of the ones you list, I think its the least valuable, with few fungi etc, so would use it on a one inch layer only.
For the others, a rule of thumb is to use your finest compost as surface layer, for easier sowing and planting, and weeding too.

[DiParticipant]

So, if i understand correctly, this would mean green waste down first (it’s raw as you suspected), followed leaf mould, compost and composted manure.

As to the crops, they’ve been delightful. The advise you gave re aubergines that were slow to set fruit was useful. Strong 1.5M bushes are carrying 10-12 fruits at a time, and still with equal number of flowers. Luscious!

[charlesModerator]

Your plan sounds good.
As for those aubergines, the warmth in France makes a difference! Great that you are growing with it so well.

[Author]

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