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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] Raised Bed Gardening
  • Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:35:33 -0700


Raised Bed Gardening
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1402,00.html

Raised gardening beds are higher than ground level, and seperated by paths.
Plants cover the bed areas; gardeners work from the paths. The beds ae
3'-5' across to premit easy access and may be any length. You can grow any
vegetable in raised beads, as well as herbs, annual or perennial flowers,
or berry bushes.

Raised beds can: solve problems of difficult soils; improve production;
save space, time, and money; and improve your garden's appearance and
accessibility. While that sounds like a tall order, raised beds can do it
all. Crops produce better because they grow in deep, loose, fertile soil
that is never walked upon. And you can grow twice as many crops in the same
space.

Raised beds save time and money becuas you need only dig, fertilize, and
water the beds, ignoring the soil in the paths. You don't need to weed as
much when crops grow close together, because weeds can't compete. Gardeners
with limited mobility find raised beds the perfect solution — a wide sill
on framed raised bed makes a good spot to sit while working; and a high
frame puts plants in reach of a gardener using a wheelchair.

The quickest and easiest way to make a raised bed is simply to add lots of
organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost, to your garden soil
to mound up planting beds. However, the traditional way to make a raised
bed is to double dig. The process involves removing the topsoil layer from
the bed, loosening the subsoil, and replacing the topsoil, mixing in
organic matter in the process. Double digging has many benefits, but can be
time-consuming and laborious.

If your garden soil is difficult — heavy clay, very alkaline, or full of
rocks — you may want to mix your own soil from trucked-in topsoil,
organic matter, and mineral amendments. Then you can build beds from ground
level, without disturbing or incorporating the native soil.

Shape the soil in an unframed bed so that it is flat-topped, with sloping
sides (this shape helps conserve water), or forms a long, rounded mound.
Frames prevent soil from washing away and allow you to add a greater depth
of improved soil. Wood, brick, rocks, or cement blocks are popular
materials for framing. Choose naturally rot-resistant woods such as cedar,
cypress, or locust.

Bed in a Box
If measuring and sawing are not your idea of a good time, there are dozens
of raised-bed kits available, in a handy array of sizes, shapes, colors,
and materials. Many are made from recycled plastic. Most snap together; a
few use metal connectors. We have used and can recommend kits from
# orcaboard.com
# raised-garden-beds.com
# gardeners.com
# composters.com




  • [Livingontheland] Raised Bed Gardening, Tradingpost, 03/26/2009

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