Getting Bed ready for next year. Advice please.

Williamgiddings25

Any advice please on prepping this bed for veg next year. 
I have a bag of compost plenty of top soil and some horse manure that I was gonna mix up and fill the bed with. 
Is this enough? Many thanks!!

Lizzie27

Yes, that's a good enough mix although you may find you need double the quantity as it doesn't seem to go far. The soil will naturally subside over the winter as it settles in so you may need to add more topsoil in the spring- which is better for vegetables than multi-purpose compost.
You could also add a bag each of horticultural grit and horticultural sand (not the builders type of sand) which helps with drainage, especially if you want to grow carrots.
Rather than leave the top surface bare over the winter, either cover it with black plastic or better still sow some "green" manure seeds (available at GC's - just ask them) which
helps to stop the rain from leaching out the nutrients, stops weeds from rooting and cats from pooing in your nice new bed. In the spring you can either dig it all up or cut the tops and dig it in.

Williamgiddings25

Many thanks. I’m gonna be growing my carrots in planting round guttering. Forgive me!!

Lizzie27

No forgiveness needed William, but you'll probably have to grow the round carrots I think if you're going to use guttering.

JennyJ

Isn't the guttering temporary, instead of a seed tray?

I've heard of people growing carrots in vertical drainpipes to get really long roots http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk/Exhibition-long-show-carrot.html

Williamgiddings25

That’s what I meant sorry. Vertical drain pipes