Filling Raised Beds with Black Gold: A Free and Sustainable Method

In this blog post, I'm going to share a secret with you that garden soil and raised bed manufacturers wish you didn't know: how to fill your raised beds for free with rich organic matter. This method involves using kitchen scraps, leaves, and earthworm compost to create what is known as "black gold."

To start, remove some soil from the raised bed and set it aside. This will create a good depth for the organic material. Add paper towels and greens, such as kitchen scraps and carrot peels, for nitrogen content. Include growing mediums like coconut coir, which is an excellent bedding for worms.

Next, add a layer of dead leaves on top. These will decompose and create rich black organic compost. Thinly cover everything with soil to prevent fruit flies and other pests from invading.

After a few weeks, add more kitchen scraps and wheatgrass remains, and keep the raised bed moist to allow earthworms to thrive. They are efficient composters and feed on decaying organic material, creating worm castings that are beneficial for plants.

This method can be done throughout the year, but it takes longer in winter. It's essential to keep the raised bed moist and a consistency similar to a rung-out sponge. If you have rodent or raccoon problems, lay down wire mesh on top of buried kitchen scraps.

After four months, all the organic material turns into rich, dark organic fertilizer or "black gold," perfect for planting your spring and summer garden. Earthworms will not survive below freezing temperatures, so if you live in an area with freezing weather, this method may not work.

Filling your raised beds with black gold is an excellent way to recycle kitchen scraps, leaves, and organic material while creating a sustainable and free method for gardening. I hope you enjoyed this post and learned something new. Happy gardening!