Segment 4 of S4E12 Garden questions answered mid late May - The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener radio show

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In segment four Joey and Holly answer your garden questions.

Q: We have a large property but I want to simplify some gardening and want to plant lettuce etc. in pots like you said.
I have a large pot that is maybe 20” high or more and almost 2’ in diameter. My question is do I fill the whole pot with
potting soil or do I put dirt in the bottom of the pot to save the potting soil?
Also, I have had a compost tumbler for years but hardly ever use the compost. Does it have to be totally composted before using it? Maybe I could put the un-composted stuff in the bottom of that big pot?
A: with the large container if it is 20 inches deep you can put filler in the bottom of it such as milk jugs or soda bottles but the lids on and sit them in the bottom you can take planter pots and sit them in the bottom on the planter sit them with the bottom facing up so the do not get crushed. you can also fill it with dirty it you do this you could fill it up to half full to 15 inches then take paper and put a layer on that soil before adding the potting soil to keep any weeds from coming up. The compost does not have to be fully composted if you are going to put it in the container you do want it to be about 80% broke down before using it and the rest will break down in time,

Q Why did you put your beds parallel to the fence for the front yard? I have a large space to add more beds. Does it matter if they are north/south verses east/west? The space is on the south side of our yard. The beds I have now are east/west. Thank you!!
A: Thank you for watching we put them in the direction because that was the way our traditional ground garden was laid out and if we would have went the opposite direction of what the video shows we would have gotten fewer beds in that area. We have found that if you are in mostly full Sun throughout the day it really doesn't make that big of a difference if you're East or West or North the South facing beds the Sun will go over them regardless. If you are facing some shade situations then it's best to adjust the beds accordingly before building them in order to accommodate the shade. We will have some that shoveled tomatoes shade out very minimal amount of time other vegetables. But it will be to the point where it will not affect the overall growth or production of them

Q: Quick question for you - I am in the beginning stage of building a raised garden. The space that I am using has had wood chips/mulch on it for about 3 years. I moved all the old wood chips so I can pull up the weed block and level the ground. Can I use the old wood chips to help fill and level the ground, then put down the weed block? Thanks for your gui(continued)