Raised Bed Gardening
A raised garden bed can be a fine idea if you have deficient soil or very heavy clay soil or find gardening tiring as a consequence of a physical problem. Even though it will take more time to create a raised bed, or in the beginning be more expensive if you go for a raised garden kit, it will more than pay for itself. Cedar raised garden kits are particularly popular as they are resistant to water and very long-lasting. A raised bed has a number of clear advantages over regular gardening and may make your gardening a good deal easier, more pleasurable and even more productive.
Advantages of Raised Gardening
* In a raised garden you have extensive control over the the make up of the soil so you will be able to raise plants that may need specific pH’s and nutrients without problems
* The soil can be purchased free of weeds so you won’t need to do much weeding.
* In a raised bed plants are a great deal simpler to look after and usually grow better. The soil doesn’t become compacted from persons walking on it, so air and nutrients can get through to the roots much easier.
* Raised gardens warm up quicker in the Spring so you can plant much earlier allowing you a much longer growing period.
* It is much easier to nurture a raised garden than a conventional garden as you can construct the garden at a convenient height. For individuals with physical problems, or are in wheelchairs this is often the only way they can take pleasure in gardening.
* Raised gardens are a great deal kinder to knees and backs! You won’t damage your back or knees from working in the garden.
* In a well made raised garden, drainage is better than in a ordinary garden. You will not get saturated soil and your plants will grow better.
Where to Place Your Raised Garden
Before you settle on where to place a raised garden watch your plot for at least a full day to check which areas receive more daylight or which are in shadow. Are you going to grow sun loving plants or those which favor shade? Find an area where you can have space on all sides of the garden to make cultivation more convenient. It would also be helpful to have paths surrounding the garden to make moving near it with gardening equipment easy. If you are installing one for a person in a wheelchair you have to make certain that access is easy from all sides and it is the correct height.
How to Fill Your Raised Bed Garden
After your garden is finished load it with high-quality earth and compost. A blend of 50% compost and 50% soil is generally suggested. Top soil is generally obtainable to buy in bulk but be wary of the quality as there are no standards in place. Top soil can fluctuate a greatly in it’s components. Garden centers also sell soil in bulk and you can be positive that it is good. You might use top soil from your own garden but you will need quite a lot and it might not have all the nutrients necessary. It will also without doubt have weed seeds and probably stones.
For saving money you may possibly need to mix garden soil with purchased soil but make sure you mix it completely and if at all possible have a soil test to guarantee the nutrient levels and pH are good enough. Whatever option you select mix in a small amount of sand as an aid to drainage. You will also need to top up the soil intermittently as it compacts down and put in some organic matter regularly. An excellent suggestion is to produce some ground cover plants during the winter to protect the soil which you can then dig in in the Spring to add nutrients.
Conclusion
Raised gardening has countless clear advantages over traditional gardening for all of us but particularly for the elderly or individuals with physical problems. Whether you decide to put together your own raised garden bed or select from one of the various raised garden kits obtainable you will be sure to get many years of pleasant gardening.
