5 Garden Bed Leçons From The Pros

Preparing Garden Beds For Spring Planting

In this article Jesse Frost walks you through the steps to prepare beds for spring planting. There are a number of important things to consider include the length of the bed, the depth of the soil and the width of the path.

Line your garden with organic mulch such as grass clippings, or straw. This will help smother weeds and help retain moisture.

Easy to Assemble

Garden beds are a great way to plant vegetables and flowers in poor soil. They can be made of various materials that include natural rot-resistant wood stone, woven willow recycled composite plastic lumber, and concrete. Some are designed into furniture that adds a functional and attractive touch to your home. The majority of kits come with everything you need to build the beds, including pre-cut pieces for edges, bottoms, and stands. The assembly is simple and requires only some basic hand tools.

It is best to start the process by sketching your space and figuring out the number of beds you will require to plant all the flowers and vegetables you want and how wide you want to make the paths between them. Design the shape and layout of the beds, taking into account the sun's exposure. Google Earth overhead photos can be used to determine the direction and intensity of the sun in your garden.

Before you begin assembling the beds, clear the area and level the ground on which the bed will be placed. It is a good idea to lay down a layer of mulch or compost, for example straw, leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips that can be transformed into rich compost in time. This will help suppress the weeds and help keep the soil moist and add nutrients to it.

When building the beds, be sure to avoid using pressure-treated wood such as creosote or pentachlorophenol-treated lumber, as these chemicals may leach into and injure plant roots. If you choose to use treated wood, put an extensive layer of plastic between the wood and the soil where plants are growing to avoid direct contact.

Before adding soil and covering the area with a thick layer or several layers of newspaper or metal hardware cloth if you have a lot of weeds and tall grass. This will also stop creatures that burrow, such as moles and voles, and it is easy to get rid of after the weeds have been removed.

Durable

Raised beds are an excellent method to grow vegetables and flowers in your garden. They are easy to build and are also sturdy and will last for a long time. There are many different types of garden beds that you can pick from, but wood is the most popular material. Galvanized metals are also becoming more popular. So, which one is right for you?

Certain materials are better suited for constructing a raised bed than others. For instance, beds built from recycled materials like old fence posts or railroad ties could be a good choice however they're not as durable as wood or galvanized metal beds. They also tend to deteriorate more quickly in humid climates.

vegetable gardens  could contain harmful chemicals, like chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) which will release into the soil and even your food crops. Even repurposed stock tanks can be problematic, since they'll start to rust over time.

Galvanized steel is easier to maintain than wood. It is also lighter than other materials, making it easier to move around the yard or around an allotment. It's also a great option for those who plan to move to a different home, since galvanized raised beds can be disassembled and moved.

There are other choices of durability for garden beds, such as brick, concrete and stone. They are fairly inexpensive and can add a nice look to your landscape. Use non-porous landscaping materials to prevent the spread of rot.

Resin and plastic are also durable materials which can be used for raised garden beds. They are not as expensive as wooden garden beds and they won't rot or warp in extreme temperatures. They are available in a variety of colors that will complement your landscape while others are natural-colored. Some brands even advertise that they'll last clean for a period of 15 years.

If you want to create a more rounded appearance you can use circular or curved flower beds. These styles are especially attractive in a garden that has slope.

Easy to maintain

Many gardeners build raised beds to help with gardening. This could mean removing the need to kneel or squat for long periods of time, and keeping the garden soil from becoming too muddy following rain or strong winds. It's crucial to plan the bed in a way to accomplish the goal you want it to. The bed's height and the plants you select will determine the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking nice.

A low-maintenance garden should be filled with sturdy plants which will return year after year. You can also layer your planters. Plants that are taller should be placed in the back, with the smaller and ground cover plants in the middle. This helps the bed look lush and full. The addition of evergreen plants will provide color in the winter.

If your raised garden is going to be used for growing vegetables, you'll want to raise it to accommodate the different requirements for the depth of roots of vegetables. The beds that are raised should be at least 4 feet wide. It's difficult to reach deeper than four feet without stepping on the soil. It is also important to consider how far you can stand from the edge of the bed when preparing to harvest your veggies.

Raised beds for vegetable gardening must be lined with an hedge against weeds. This will prevent the soil from spilling out after a heavy rain and will help keep weeds at bay. A plastic liner helps protect the soil from animal feces and other debris. If you're concerned about the liner being too hot, consider using breathable, biodegradable fabrics like netting or jute instead of plastic.

Mulch is a different method to reduce the work required to maintain the raised bed. A layer of organic materials such as compost, shredded leaves or commercial mulch bags, will keep the soil cool and decrease the evaporation. Mulching can also help keep the weeds out.

A low-maintenance flower bed should feature shrubs that don't need a lot of care once established. A few great options are the hollyhocks (Helianthus annuus), honeysuckle 'White Delight and sage (Salvia elegans). Also, be certain to select shrubs that can thrive in the lighting conditions of your garden area. For a border that is sunny opt for flowering plants such as Philadelphus "Belle Etoile" and hydrangeas such as "Annabelle.' For shady areas, you can try heuchera, Sarcococca hookeriana or mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis "Soft Caress'.

Great for Kids

Garden beds are great for kids because they allow them to have their own personal garden of vegetables and plants that they can tend to easily. Gardening can also encourage physical exercise in the sunlight and fresh air. This can improve overall health and cognitive functions. Gardening can provide many educational opportunities.

Planting vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and green beans can be an excellent way to teach children about nutrition. Kids can then enjoy their hard work by eating the vegetables which they have grown and cared for.

Another way to get kids to be involved is to create a themed herb or vegetable garden. For instance, a pizza garden could contain all the ingredients needed to make a delicious pizza. This could allow kids to learn about cooking with ingredients they grow themselves. It's also a great opportunity to discuss the importance of eating foods that provide brain-building vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

Gardening is a wonderful way to teach children about the cycles of nature's world and the importance of the sun, water and soil in the growth of plants. It's an excellent way to teach kids about other sources of food and the importance of to make sure we don't waste our planet's precious resources.

In addition, kids will enjoy the opportunity to observe their own garden develop from a tiny seed to a fruiting plant. It's a great way to encourage social interaction as they will be working together in the garden. They'll also enjoy sharing the excitement of waiting to see whose plant will grow first.

To promote even more learning, choose a raised garden bed that is able to accommodate your child's specific needs. For instance, a raised garden bed that's 2 or 3 feet wide will give ample space for children to easily reach into and tend to their own garden of vegetables and flowers. This size is also ideal for gardens that require a lot of physical work, such as carrying a wheelbarrow, or moving soil that is heavy.