Raised beds are the most convenient way to garden. They are easy to work in and you can control the quality of soil, they require less weeding and make tending and harvesting easier. Plants get a quicker start in raised beds because the soil warms up earlier than it does in ground-level beds. The soil stays lighter and more aerated because it isn't compacted from foot traffic, so root systems grow faster and bigger.
Consider a raised bed if
you live in an area
where the soil is rocky
or mostly sand or clay.
Adding organic matter to
your soil is always a
good idea and will
always help make poor
soil better. But
sometimes a raised bed
is the best solution.
You can choose the soil
in your raised bed. You
can purchase rich garden
soil at the garden
centre or you can make
your own by taking
native soil from nearby
and amending it with
well-rotted manure and
compost until it is rich
and loamy.
The soil in a raised bed
warms more quickly in
spring that’s good in
short season and cool
coastal regions. A
raised bed also can be
made tall enough to aid
a back tired after years
of bending. And the
width of a raised bed
will allow you to work
your vegetable bed from
different sides.
A bed width of no more
than 4 feet (1.2 m) will
allow easy access from
each side. You don’t
have to worry about soil
compaction with a raised
bed. All of your
gardening is done from
the edge. You can bring
a chair, stool, or
wheelchair to the edge
of a raised bed. The
more narrow the bed, the
easier it is to reach
into the bed without
having to lean on the
soil.
© 2005-2010 www.Scot-Land.co.uk | Home | About | Fruits | Nuts | Trees | More >>>