raised beds on grass

[growbag]

Hi, we're planning to build 2 raised beds in our garden, about 1m x 2m, and 30cms high, in order to grow vegetables. We're putting them in an area where there's already lawn, and don't know if it's ok to build them straight on top of the grass, or should we dig the grass up first? And if we have to dig the grass up, can it somehow then be incorporated into the raised bed - presumably we'd need a skip to get rid of it otherwise.
I'd be grateful for any advice.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Growbag,
My advice would be, just dig the grass in and turn it over and it will soon rot down natueally and should in fact add to the depth of your top soil.
This may also be a good time to improve the drainage (if it needs it) by adding some horticultral grit. Or you could add some well rotted manure which will be like double digging without the need for trenching! Good Luck Tbird+

[Lonnie]

Hi growbag,
Take Tbirds advice, at home I only use raised beds, have done for some years, but when I put them up, I did it in excactly the way she describes.

[growbag]

Thanks for the advice. I'm relieved we don't need to get rid of the turf!

[Thunderbird+]

I'm a Man who's all for saving time and labour if I can and with a foot of top-soil on top of you're turf, I dont think there is much chance of it growing through, but having said that I think I'd still feel inclined to remove any deep rooted perenial weeds like dandelions or dock's etc, If you come across any while you turn it in with a fork.

[tomwakeman]

If the beds aren't going to be at least a foot deep, i'd scrape off the surface of the grass and stap it up in a corner (e.g. grass to grass, soil to soil)-leave it a year or so and it mulches down really well into peat, which you can dig into your garden the following year. Don't skip it though!