Dave's Garden: Gardening: Raised Beds

Most vegetables, herbs, and flowers need full sun, so it is best to choose an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Avoid placing your raised bed in shady areas or on the north side of your house. Additionally, watch out for frost-prone areas on your property.

You can use various materials to build a raised bed, such as wood, stone, or brick. When using wood, be cautious about the type of wood you choose. Cedar and redwood are excellent choices because they do not rot under the ground and last for many years.

It is recommended to keep the width of your raised bed no more than 4 feet to facilitate easy access for weeding and planting. The length of the bed can be as long as you desire.

To create a strong joint for your raised bed, you can use corner brackets available at hardware stores. Simply attach the brackets to the corners and screw them together for a durable and secure joint.

A raised bed thrives with good, rich soil. If you have good soil on your property, you can use that. Otherwise, it is advisable to mix in compost, preferably in a ratio of 50% soil and 50% compost. Adding organic materials like non-seeded weeds and leaves from last fall can enrich the soil further.

Without the constraints of rows, you can plant your vegetables, herbs, and flowers close together in a raised bed. This allows you to maximize the planting space and grow a variety of plants in one confined area.

After building and filling your raised bed, it is time to enjoy the fun part, which is planting. Mix and match different vegetables, herbs, and flowers to create a vibrant and productive raised bed garden. Experiment with various combinations to create a garden that suits your preferences and needs.