Colorado Man Benedict T Palen Jr. - How To Start A Raised Bed Garden From Scratch

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

According to Benedict T Palen Jr., one of the most challenging ways to plant your plants and vegetables is through raised bed gardening. By following these points mentioned above, any person can go ahead and begin with raised bed gardening and reap the benefits. Happy gardening!