Successful Raised Bed Gardening

Gardening is still a favorite hobby for families and singles alike, but smaller lots or no lots at all have peaked the interest in raised bed gardening. This popular gardening method makes it possible to grow fresh vegetables and fruits in small areas just a few square feet. As the awareness to eat locally grows, locavores are spreading the word; growing on a small scale in a raised bed puts delicious, fresh food on the table.

One of the biggest plusses of raised bed gardening is the option of choosing a soil mix for growing a successful garden. Choose a good quality top soil ammended with compost or peat moss or some other organic matter. The planting mix should drain well and be easy to work with. It is best to loosen the soil below the raised bed to a depth of six inches, mixing the amended soil in the top two inches. Install the framework and fill the bed. It is helpful to get a soil test to determine fertility before the seeds or transplants are planted.While some gardeners just mound up the soil in rows, most growers use some type of framework to contain the soil. Raised bed gardening has become so popular that many gardening suppliers sell kits all ready to snap together. Railroad ties, landscape timbers, rock, cement blocks or bricks are also useful in constructing a raised bed. Do not use lumber treated with CCA, a chemical used in the preservation of wood. Do not lay down a plastic material before building the bed as this will prevent drainage and cause plant loss due to waterlogged soils.The size of the raised bed depends on the gardener but keeping the bed just four feet wide permits an easy reach from both sides. A six to eight inch depth of the bed is recommended because most of the main feeder roots are at this depth. Locate the raised bed in full sun if at all possible, if not, at least a half day of sunlight is necessary for good plant growth. A water source should be located nearby because raised beds dry out sooner than conventional gardening.Soil extended above ground level warms up faster in the spring, allowing earlier seeding opportunities. Many gardeners are faced with challenging soil conditions. Heavy clay or light sandy soils present growing conditions that frustrate even the most experienced gardener. Raised bed gardening allows the grower to mix a recipe of the best ingredients for optimum growth. Top soil, compost, peat moss and nutrients permit healthy plants to grow in denser plantings that reduce weed infestation.Check out http://doityourselfgardening.blogspot.com/ for more tips to a successful garden season.Many rules of ordinary gardening don't apply to raised bed gardening. No need to think in long single file rows with wide spacing between rows. In fact, forget the rows. Plant intensively, in blocks, grouping the early vegetables together. When that harvest is complete, pull the plants and continue the season with green beans and squash. A trellis can be installed to grow vining crops up instead of sprawling out and taking up so much room. Straw mulch, leaves or grass clippings can be used to conserve moisture and keep the soil cool.

Check out http://doityourselfgardening.blogspot.com/ for more tips to a successful garden season.