How to Make A Raised Garden Bed?

Raised garden beds are rectangular or curved flower pots made of metal, wood, stone or concrete. It is a closed layout, full of soil rich in organic matter, used to grow vegetables, fruits and flowering plants. Let's discuss what a raised garden bed is and how to make one or more in the garden!

Requirements for making raised garden beds

1. Soil

The soil of the raised garden bed should be well drained, but also have a certain water holding capacity. Loam soil with a proper mix of sand and clay, rich in organic matters such as peat moss, compost, ground bark or sawdust, is very suitable for this purpose. You can also use a quarter of sand, a quarter of topsoil, a quarter of peat moss or cocoa peat, and a quarter of compost or manure. Mix all ingredients thoroughly before use.

2. Location

Choose a place that is level and receives at least 6-7 hours of sunlight, because most vegetables need sufficient sunlight. If the sun is scarce in your yard, you can plant vegetables that can grow in the shade - root vegetables and vegetables are suitable for this purpose.

3. Dimensions

Keep the width at 4-5 feet and avoid making it larger, otherwise weeding, covering and harvesting will become difficult. The length can vary from 8-12 feet, while the depth should be 6-12 inches. More soil will be required beyond this length, which will increase the cost and labor.

How to fill a raised garden bed

Prepare the soil formula explained above. Mix them with a shovel and remove any stones or rocks present in the mixture. Fill the mixture to the bedside.

Or, you can use the thousand layer method to fill the half bottom layer of the bed with organic materials such as chopped bark, grass scraps or decayed feces, and spread them evenly. Then, put the cardboard or newspaper on this layer and cover it with soil.

Planting on raised garden beds

Plant tall plants in the center and small plants near the edge, so that they can also use sufficient sunlight. To sow directly, poke your fingers into the soil and drill small holes. Scatter the seeds of vegetables or flowering plants in the hole and cover them with pot soil with fine texture. Finally, water thoroughly and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.

Plant Nursing in Gardening with Raised Garden Bed

1. Coverage

Use pine needles, bark, salt hay, and well dried grass cuttings. It helps prevent soil moisture loss and protects roots. For vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants and melons, use black plastic mulch.

Tip: Cover the soil at least 2-3 inches deep and keep it at least one inch away from the plant stem.

2. Watering

What do you plant on a raised garden bed?

You can plant container fruits, vegetables and flowering plants on the raised garden bed. The best vegetables to grow on a raised garden bed are root vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and collards. In addition, you can also plant strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and other fruits on the raised garden bed, as well as flowering plants such as hemerocallis and lavender.

Benefits of Raised Garden Bed

1. The soil in spring warms faster than that in ordinary garden beds, which is conducive to earlier planting and longer growth seasons.
2. Due to limited space, soil maintenance, watering and fertilization are controllable and easy to harvest.
3. It also provides better drainage and sufficient breathing space for the roots of plants.
4. Because plants are on a raised surface, no one will walk over them.
5. Due to limited space, you can modify the soil easily and more frequently.
6. If you have back problems, the raised garden bed is very suitable for you. Because they can also be waist high, they are also good for the elderly.