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Raised Bed Soil Enrichment

Organic matter will greatly increase the water-holding ability of any soil. (Image by Jessie Keith)

“What can I incorporate in my soil on an elevated bed to help retain moisture? It’s very hard to keep soil moist.” Question by David of Brookville, Ohio

Answer: Organic matter, organic matter, organic matter! Amendments rich in organic matter have high water holding ability and keep soil porous to create the best possible environment for root development. Amendments with excellent water-holding capacity include compost, peat moss, coconut coir, and earthworm castings. (Check out Black Gold’s suite of OMRI Listed soil amendments for organic gardening.) Add products such as these to your raised beds in the beginning of the season at a 2:1 ratio of amendment to soil. Then mulch with a thick layer of compost or straw to keep weeds down and further hold water. If you do this, your beds will hold water really well!

Happy Gardening! Jessie