Raised Vegetable Beds for the Organic Garden

[inishindie]

Hi

I started growing vegetables in raised beds a few years ago and my yield increased massively. I was so impressed that I ended up writing and ebook on the subject. What started out as an a4 leaflet grew into 25,000 words and 80 images.

The book has everything you need to make and maintain a raised bed.

Here's the first chapter...which is why I think raised beds are great!

Advantages of Raised Beds


1. They help to define the edge of your beds and the paths.
2. Soil works better if it isn’t trodden on and compacted so if the beds are small enough you never have to tread on them to weed or harvest.
3. Raised beds have clean paths made from grass, woodchip or gravel help to stop you trailing mud into the house.
4. The soil and plants stay where they are. The soil doesn’t creep out onto the paths like it does in beds that are just mounded up with soil.
5. With raised beds there is better drainage. This is particularly an advantage in wetter gardens with clay soils, eliminating the chance of root rot. Drier soil can also lengthen the growing season.
6. The soil in a raised bed warms up more before seed sowing because of the sun shining on the sides. This is better for the germination of the seeds.
7. With a raised bed you can choose the type of soil that you want in the beds. Sandier soil for carrots, richer soil for pumpkins. Every year you can condition and improve your soil for crop rotation by adding bulking agents like compost and manure.
8. With deeper raised beds there will be very active root development of the vegetables. This means that you can plant closer together. This helps support taller vegetables and helps to keep the weeds down.

9. They can fit into any shape of garden. Wood can easily be cut to fit even the oddest of angles.

10. You can keep your vegetable garden to a manageable size. It is better to start with one or two small beds to build up your confidence and enthusiasm rather than too big and feel overwhelmed.

11. No heavy digging is necessary after the initial preparations.

12. With raised beds you can try out square foot gardening. All this means is areas are marked out (usually in one foot squares) on the raised bed and planting different vegetables into each square. One tomato plant could take up one whole square, four strawberry plants in another, and up to sixteen radishes in another. Compact planting in rich soil helps to suppress weeds.

13. Raised Beds can be built to any height you desire. This is particularly beneficial if there are any mobility issues with the user. Beds can be specifically designed at the correct height for wheelchair users and firm paths in between the beds allow for total access to all parts of the bed and vegetable garden all year round.

14. It is very easy to grow climbing plants like peas and beans as hazel rods or bamboo poles can be pressed into the sides of the raised beds. This means lots more healthy nutritious vegetables in a smaller surface area. Climbers are Ideal for small gardens.

15. Raised beds are great for kids to experience the joys of growing their own food. A starter bed just 3’ (1m) square is enough. All too often children (and adults) can be put off growing vegetables because the plots are too large. A small raised bed gives the child their own personal plot.

16. Raised beds are great for trying out organic growing methods. Conventional farming methods feed the ground with NPK fertiliser which is quickly taken up by the plants. The soil becomes more barren every growing season as nothing is put back. Organic methods store the nutrients in the ground until they are needed by the plant, which does away with any artificial feed and keeps the soil in good condition which is more sustainable.

[rosa15]

Thank you for sharing this information Inishindie, I too believe that raised beds are old and easiest method for organic gardening. Actually I am looking for different methods which can be helpful for indoor gardening and without usage of soil as in era of globalization getting openly soil for planting, its thing out of box.

[123v.]

Very impresssed with your blog. Thanks for sharing.