Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers in Raised Garden Beds
Growing veggies, herbs and flowers in raised garden beds makes them easier to reach and care for. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to reduce water waste and stagger planting times.
You can consider lining your garden to protect the soil and keep out pests. Newspaper or cardboard covered with straw or hay or mulch is a cost-effective option.
Easy to Build
Garden beds that are raised let you grow a variety of different plants at once. The beds can be constructed as big or small as you want. This makes them perfect for those who have a limited amount of space, but want to experiment with growing vegetables or herbs. You can even make an raised garden for your patio or balcony. This will allow you to grow these plants in areas with limited sunlight.
You can easily construct your own garden bed by using materials you already have. You can use old milk crates to build an easy frame around your garden. These containers can be moved around to meet changing requirements, for example the vegetables require more or less sunlight.
Wood pallets are another easy and inexpensive option for building an elevated garden. They can be found at your local junk yard or at a restore store. You can put them on the wall to create a raised garden for vegetables, or you can put them on the ground and divide them into rows with the help of cardboard or sticks.
When you are building your garden, consider line it with a tarpaulin to help insulate the soil, keep pests at bay and stop weeds from growing. Newspaper, cardboard and other recyclables work well as liner materials, Burke says. You can also add a layer of compost or organic material to your garden's soil. This will help it hold in moisture, improve its chemistry and increase its microbial activity.
Once you have built your raised garden on your property, move it in a sunny area. If your garden is situated on grass, cut it down by using a sod cutter. Then, till garden plants . Once the soil is tilled, put the garden frame on the top. Use a framing-square to check the corners and make any necessary adjustments.
You can plant directly into the raised soil if you prefer however, it is recommended to loosen the soil a bit first and make some amendments to ensure better results. For example, blueberries need an acidifier, and tomatoes thrive with some extra nitrogen. Because the soil is more exposed to extreme temperatures during the summer, it's vital to water the garden more often.
Easy to Maintain
Gardeners who cultivate vegetables, fruits and herbs in raised beds find they have to work less often. They can simply toss manures, compost, and other soil amendments onto the soil, which is usually lighter in texture than traditional soil that is cultivated at ground level. Over time the organic material is added to the soil, decreasing the need to till and enriching the soil with a rich mix soil nutrients.
Raised bed gardens are also easier to maintain than ground plots. Because they are higher off the ground it is not necessary to bend over so much when planting or weeding, especially as you get older. You can make them waist or thigh-high which is ideal for those with back and mobility issues.
Raised beds can be made richer in nutrients by using mulches that are combined with organic compost. This will help your plants develop better. Because the soil in raised beds is less compacted and rocky, it is able to hold more water.
Another advantage of raised beds is that they're easy to control the environment in keeping predators out and other critters. Install a wire mesh along the edges of raised bed to keep out gophers that dig in the ground. And if you want to plant a crop that requires special care or protection, such as blueberries, a raised bed is the ideal place to put it.
A consistent rotation of crops is essential for a healthy and productive garden. This gives the soil to replenish its nutrients and prevents disease from contaminating your crops. After the final harvest of a raised garden, you should prepare it for winter by covering the soil with one inch of organic compost or leaf mold (use materials from your own compost pile) and three to four inches of straw or dry leaves. The compost and mulch will break down over the winter, providing essential organic nutrients for your garden's crops next year. This will improve the soil's structure and make it more moist-retentive. You will need to water less frequently.
Easy to store
Whether you're growing flowers or vegetables raised garden beds will give your plants the space they require to grow big and strong. This allows them to establish a root system that allows them to survive droughts and other stresses that could cause them to fall. The taller planters also allow you to tend to the plants when you're not kneeling. It's no fun to have a bad back. Being capable of working in your garden and not have to kneel or bend is a huge benefit.
Another advantage of raised beds is that they prevent soil erosion. The heavy rains can wash away soil, leaving it deficient in nutrients and disrupting the microbe community. If you have raised beds it is less likely to have the amendments you've put in getting diluted and washed away.
Raised garden beds can be built to almost any size. They can be as big as a traditional flower garden or as small a window box. You can build an elongated raised bed that is often referred to as a "keyhole garden". A keyhole garden is a raised bed with a hole in the center that's filled with organic materials such as manure or compost. It also serves as a wick that holds water. This is particularly useful in dry climates.
If you're growing veggies in your garden raised it is vital to have full sun for maximum production. Vegetables require at least 8 hours of sun during the summer. There's no need to fret if you live in a shaded region. There are a variety of vegetables and herbs which thrive in light such as Arugula. Parsley, spearmint, and chives.
The frame and height of a raised bed serve as an obstacle to pests like slugs or snails. If you plant your veggie garden with borders of flowers such as nasturtium or marigolds, you'll attract beneficial insects and eliminate numerous insects from your garden. In addition, a border of vibrant flowers will add elegance and accomplishment to your meal-to-table experience.
Easy to Clean
Growing fruits and vegetables in raised garden beds can be more straightforward than gardening on the ground. Raised beds are easy to maintain and weed-free. However, they do require regular maintenance to maintain healthy soil and productive plants.
It's important to prepare the soil in your raised bed prior to you plant. Add organic material to the soil if it's heavy in clay or sand. This will increase drainage and improve fertility. A mix of two parts topsoil with one part compost works well. If you don't have a compost bin buy an organic compost bag or potting mix at your local home improvement store.
As the season progresses remove all weeds by using an electric weeder or hand hoe. If you are using herbicides be cautious not to damage the root of your vegetable or fruit plants. The use of herbicides is dangerous and could cause damage or death to your crops. Instead of spraying chemicals, it is better to physically pull the weeds.
To prevent future weeds from growing To prevent weeds from growing in your raised garden beds. You can use straw, shredded leaves, or hay. You can also purchase organic compost that is safe for food use or wood chip mulch. Organic matter will decompose and provide nutrients to the soil during the winter months, preparing the garden to produce an abundance of crops in the spring.
Installing drip irrigation in your raised beds is also an excellent idea. This will help you conserve water and prevent overwatering, which could lead to fungal diseases such as Septoria leaf spot. Installing a drip irrigation system in the fall or early spring is a good idea.
After the season is over it's a good idea cover your raised garden with a natural mulch. This helps the soil to retain water and nutrients through the winter, and also deter the growth of weeds. You can use shredded leaves straw, or commercial hay.