New gardener new beds

[Can't Wait]

Hello first of hello to everyone on the forums I live in zone 6 North of Pittsburgh Pa. and I am working on raised beds for next year One I started with town compost isn't that good mostly sticks and small rocks. bought a bale of peat moss and added it along with several bags of humus with manure stuff is growing Ok still have 8 " of space to fill there. So lets get to question. I can get mushroom compost is it better for me to use the mushroom compost with peat or combination of Mushroom compost Screened topsoil and peat to get the benifits that I need. I can't buy any of the really nice screened compost like you see in pictures of the square foot gardending, Plus I have read where you want some regular soil to regulate drainage . Thanks for help Jim

 

[lesa]

Welcome!! If you aren't going to use those beds in earnest, until next year... you've got plenty of time to add organic matter to the area. No need to spend a lot of money, unless you want to. Leaves, lawn clippings, kitchen scraps, etc. will make a big difference. If you know someone with chickens, rabbits, or horses- their manure would be a big help too. Good luck!

 

[Can't Wait]

Thanks I am trying to get the beds filled may plant garlic this fall. I have to beds that are raised as in mounded plan on boxing them in once growing season is over there strickly top soil from my yard when I dug up for levling pool I plan on leaving it on bottom then adding peat and compost on top and mixing in with hoe

 

[NwMtGardener]

Welcome my family is in eastern PA, they got a dumptruck load of mushroom compost and it was awesome! I find that bed preparation is an ongoing project, dont think you have to "finish it" up just to put garlic in this fall, try it and see how it does!

 

[lesa]

The other thing is, you really don't have to box those gardens in. I know it is the fashion, at the moment. But, I have lots of raised (mounded) gardens, without wood- and they work out fine... I wouldn't hesitate to plant garlic- you can always side dress it in the spring, if you want. Happy Gardening!

 

[vfem]

What I've learned is gardeners who start off doing hard labor in this heat give up and don't want to garden. I honestly do little to NO gardening at this time of year, I weed a bit and water in the cooler hours.... but other then harvest and eat what I did in the fall, winter and spring, I don't push myself too hard at all.

Just remember that if you get frustrated with it!!! Had to warn my neighbor of the same thing, he doesn't listen well and is hating his last minute waiting and seems to grow more mad at me and my producing garden by the date. SO just take it easy and don't rush or wear yourself out.

I think you got it all well planned out and Lesa is right, you have time if you don't plant the garlic to amend with lots of organic matter that will rot well for you in time.

ETA:

 

[Can't Wait]

Well I am going with 1 yard mushroom compost 1 Yard screened Top soil which has organic mater in and mix with peat moss 3.8 cubic feet this will be doing 2 4x4 beds and another 16" x 6' herb bed I think this will be a good start I will work on the 2' 70' bed end of season it will take about 4 yards of the mixture