Organic gardening with raised beds can be an excellent way for you to start your plants, vegetables, flowers, etc, according to Benedict T Palen Jr. As a result; you can easily manage the quality of soil and its water permeability. Besides, it does not give you any pressure about the process of gardening. The raised garden beds are ideal for newcomers or for those who have a very small yard. This is the first in the series of a How-To guide on raised bed gardening and in this post, we’ll be taking you through the process from the beginning.
Raising Garden Bed:
Why and How?
Garden beds provide
numerous advantages. The use of raised beds provides several advantages. These
enable one to select the right type of soil for the specific plant, prevent
compaction of the soil, and control drainage. In addition, gardening with
raised beds is easier than with ordinary ones because the beds can be designed
at various heights for convenience, according to Benedict T
Palen Jr.
Step 1: Choose the
Right Location
The first thing, is
to select a site. Where to build the raised bed garden? Many plants, especially
vegetables, REQUIRE lots of sunlight in order to GROW well. Select a region
that receives direct sunlight for up to 6-8 hours on a particular day.
Moreover, it is important for the place to be flat for easy access for watering
the plants and for the soil to be relatively soft.
Step 2: Be Sure of
the Size of the Bed You Need
A normal typical
raised bed will have a width of about four feet and a length of about eight
feet, but this can always be altered depending on the space available. The
width must permit the middle of the bed to be accessed and worked without actually
getting into the bed in a manner that can compact the soil. The ideal bed
height should ideally be between 6 and 12 inches, although, if growing root
crops such as carrots, you can go as deep as 18 inches.
Step 3: Build the
Raised Bed Frame
After that, you will
also be required to construct the frame of the raised bed. Some of the
materials that you use include untreated wood, bricks, or stones. Cedar and
redwood are good choices as they differ greatly. When choosing your wood,
always ensure you do not use any pressure treatment woods as they harm the soil
through chemicals.
Step 4: Prepare the
Soil
Well-drained soil is
important in any gardening activity. You start by putting cardboard or
landscape fabric at the bottom of the bed to avoid instances where weeds may
grow. Then, plant the raised bed with a combination of garden soil, compost,
and any agricultural waste that can decompose.
Step 5: Planting
Your Garden
After the bed has
been filled with the proper type of soil, it is time to start planting. From
climatic geography and season, select what you want to grow. Stake out the area
to be planted and space the plants as it is advised in the standard spacing.
Conclusion