How to prepare your Makkelijke Moestuingrond

Option A: using a bucket or tub

Watch the video (in Dutch), or read the step-by-step instructions below.

Step by step

1. Put one cocopeat block in a bucket (or two in a tub)

Fill the bucket with water. You will see the block absorb the water and slowly expand.

2. Wait a few minutes until the block has fully expanded

Start loosening the cocopeat fibres in the bucket.

3. Empty the bucket into your raised bed

Repeat this with all the cocopeat blocks.

4. Pick out any dry pieces from your raised bed

Place them on top of the loose fibres.

5. Pour some more water over the dry pieces

6. Use your hands to loosen everything thoroughly

7. Take the worm castings

1 square = 1 bag of 1.5 litres of worm castings
4 squares = 1 bag of 6 litres of worm castings
8 squares = 2 bags of 6 litres of worm castings
16 squares = 4 bags of 6 litres of worm castings

8. Spread them across your raised bed

Repeat this with all the bags.

9. Take the plant food

1 square = 1 bag of 30 g of plant food
4 squares = 1 bag of 125 g of plant food
8 squares = 1 bag of 250 g of plant food
16 squares = 2 bags of 250 g of plant food

10. Spread it over the worm castings

11. Mix everything together thoroughly

Mix the cocopeat, plant food and compost thoroughly throughout the raised bed, making sure you reach right down to the bottom.

Spread the mixture evenly across your raised bed.

Extra tip: it is even easier, and better, to put the compost and plant food in a tub or bucket first and mix them together thoroughly. This helps you distribute both evenly through the cocopeat.