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Raised bed fill (Sisters OR) #867779

Asked May 09, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT

We are trying raised bed gardening for the first time and live in Sisters. We have plans for a raised bed and cloche from the extension website. However we are unsure how to fill and layer the bed. Does gravel need to go down first, or some kind of barrier to help drainage and keep voles or other animals from tunneling up? What kind of soil mix is best for our area? This will be primarily veggies like squashes, pumpkins, root veggies.

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Rachel,
Thank you for your question about soil preparation for your raised garden beds. Following is a link to the OSU Extension publication Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon.

“This guide provides region-specific tips and techniques for more successful vegetable gardens, including topics such as site selection, soil amendment and preparation, irrigation, weed and pest management, seed starting, direct seeding, and season extension. It also contains planting guides for over thirty vegetables commonly grown in Central Oregon.”

Raised bed soil preparation and rodent exclusion are discussed on pages 7-8.
Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) | OSU Extension Catalog | Oregon State University

If you need additional information, I recommend you call the Deschutes County OSU Extension office in Redmond at<personal data hidden> and ask to speak with Amy Jo Detweiler (oregonstate.edu). Amy Jo welcomes your home garden questions and is a great resource. 


Susan P., OSU Master Gardener Volunteer Replied May 10, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT

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