Raised Vegetable Garden Beds
RAISED VEGETABLE GARDEN BEDS - THE WAY TO GO
By Maxina D Williams
Raised garden beds are a relatively new concept and what a revelation to those of us who find gardening at ground level, particularly getting upright again, such a chore! They are a boon not only for the elderly but also for those who are disabled or affected by arthritis. However, these are only some of the great benefits of this innovation.
As these garden beds are elevated, not only do they have better drainage than the traditional garden but the soil will warm up quicker in the spring and stay warmer longer into autumn, thus providing a longer growing season, most beneficial in colder climates. They also enable you to plant earlier in the season, for better germination.
Raised garden beds are ideally suited to growing vegetables because they will be free draining and easily accessible for inspecting and maintaining your plants. Being able to harvest your vegetable crop from a manageable height is a joy as well, particularly if you are confined to a wheel chair.
An added bonus is being able to walk completely around your garden bed and being able to easily reach all your plants. Constant walking through a ground level garden can have the effect of seriously compacting the soil, thus affecting adequate drainage. Having two or more raised beds arranged in a pattern of about a metre (three feet) apart will allow you to have easy access and the paths between can be paved or gravelled to enhance the appearance of your garden. This will also allow easy access for your wheel barrow or a wheel chair.
Where to locate your raised beds can be very important. Ideally, the beds should be placed in a sun trap where they will have at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day.
Being able to have complete control over the quality of your soil is a real bonus with a raised garden bed. The soil content should consist of a mixture of fertile,crumbly soil enhanced with lots of compost and cow manure. As most vegetable crops love rich fertile soil I always add generous amounts of pelletised chicken poo as well. All of the ingredients should be well dug over in expectation of a bumper crop.
Another thing to be considered when growing vegetables in a raised garden bed is companion planting. Companion vegetables and herbs will help control insects and help improve your soil quality. For example, carrots (which I like to grow from seed as you are less likely to have problems with misshapen product), parsley and onions are beneficial for growing with tomatoes.
Something else to be aware of is resisting the urge to overcrowd your seeds. Concentrating too many plants in a given area will harm their growth. You should also rotate your vegetable crop each year to discourage nasty pathogens and pests.
Studies have shown that elevated garden beds can yield up to twice as many vegetables as traditional beds so this is the way to go if you are serious about growing your very own fresh vegies.
An added bonus is being able to walk completely around your garden bed and being able to easily reach all your plants. Constant walking through a ground level garden can have the effect of seriously compacting the soil, thus affecting adequate drainage. Having two or more raised beds arranged in a pattern of about a metre (three feet) apart will allow you to have easy access and the paths between can be paved or gravelled to enhance the appearance of your garden. This will also allow easy access for your wheel barrow or a wheel chair.
Where to locate your raised beds can be very important. Ideally, the beds should be placed in a sun trap where they will have at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day.
Being able to have complete control over the quality of your soil is a real bonus with a raised garden bed. The soil content should consist of a mixture of fertile,crumbly soil enhanced with lots of compost and cow manure. As most vegetable crops love rich fertile soil I always add generous amounts of pelletised chicken poo as well. All of the ingredients should be well dug over in expectation of a bumper crop.
Another thing to be considered when growing vegetables in a raised garden bed is companion planting. Companion vegetables and herbs will help control insects and help improve your soil quality. For example, carrots (which I like to grow from seed as you are less likely to have problems with misshapen product), parsley and onions are beneficial for growing with tomatoes.
Something else to be aware of is resisting the urge to overcrowd your seeds. Concentrating too many plants in a given area will harm their growth. You should also rotate your vegetable crop each year to discourage nasty pathogens and pests.
Studies have shown that elevated garden beds can yield up to twice as many vegetables as traditional beds so this is the way to go if you are serious about growing your very own fresh vegies.
Maxina Williams loves anything to do with gardening and outdoor living.
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Article source: http://www.gardenswings-n-things.blogspot.com
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GardenThings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/gardenswings
Article source: http://www.gardenswings-n-things.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxina_D_Williams
Visit http://www.exterior-accents.com for a range of Raised Garden Beds (US)
Or http://www.gardenexpress.com.au (Aust.)
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