#39. Raised Bed Gardens for Vegetables
The raised bed garden method is probably the answer to a prayer from gardeners facing poor soil conditions. The basic concept of the raised bed garden is a garden built above the ground. With this type of garden, you have complete control over the soil in terms of its texture and other properties.
In a raised bed garden, you can use native soil if it is good. Putting together raised garden beds is not difficult. You can build your own from scrap wood you have or visit one of your Home Depot stores to buy click together kits. Raised beds can be made from wood, stone or plastic.
If you prefer not to invest money in store-bought beds, you can also have a free-form bed by quite simply piling up the soil several inches high. It may be a good idea to use wood or stone bricks to keep the form of the bed.
Why choose a raised bed garden? Apart from the enormous benefit it brings to people who have terrible soil in their gardens, there are other benefits to growing your vegetables in a raised bed garden. Raised bed gardens have the benefit of warming up faster in spring; the beds drain better, you have full control over the soil in your garden and raised beds actually require less maintenance than conventional beds do, once the construction bit is over.
Here are a few things to consider when preparing your raised bed garden for vegetable growing.
• Plan the layout very carefully right from the start. Consider future expansion, ease of accessibility and the weather elements. Once you set up a raised bed garden, it will be quite a problem to move it later.
• Keep each bed separate, don't connect them or you will have an even bigger problem moving things around. Go with small, unattached beds, this will allow you greater mobility.
• Leave enough space between the beds for easy access to your plants. The ideal amount is two feet between the beds. If you are planning a big vegetable garden because you have a big family, have the space or simply enjoy gardening, you may need to use a wheelbarrow. In that case leave three feet between each bed. Always keep in mind comfortable movement when you plan the garden.
• Sunlight is vitally important for vegetable growing. Most vegetables require at least eight hours of full sun. Make sure you position your beds in the best possible way to catch the sun. You can always plant tall plants to cover the smaller ones that do not need too much sun.