The Advantages to Raised Bed Gardening

Raised bed gardening has become a popular method for both flower and vegetable gardens for a number of reasons. The advantages of raised beds to the garden hobbyist are numerous, and the aesthetic qualities of the raised beds make them ideal as a means of enhancing a current flat landscape. Raised bed gardening can be done just about anywhere making them a versatile option that is easy to build and even easier to maintain.

What is Raised Bed Gardening?

A raised gardening bed can be defined as a planting area that is higher than the surrounding area. It is often set apart through bricks, or wooden structures that serve a decorative purpose as well as a means for keeping the bed intact. These gardens are generally constructed with the idea that the gardener will be working the bed from outside of it, so most raised beds are only about four feet wide. They can be any length, from a small bed near a back door to a long, wandering section that lines the back of a fence.

One of the reasons raised bed gardening is so popular is because you can plant the plants closer together and still have a high yield. These gardens are usually narrow enough for you to be able to work the beds without needing any large equipment such as tillers or plows. The soil in these beds is usually loose because there is not foot traffic inside the beds. The loose soil allows the roots to grow deeper and stronger because is offers better penetration.

Mixing natural compost with a high quality potting soil will provide a rich and healthy environment for plants to grow and thrive in. You can generally plant your plants closer together in a raised bed garden which will serve two purposes. Once the plants get large enough they will form a natural moisture conservation system. The soil will stay moist longer and the shade from the plants will help to retard the growth of unwanted weeds. Even though you plant your plants closer to each other you will still have high yields which will compare to those in a regular garden.

Ideal for Cramped Quarters

Raised bed gardening is a perfect solution for the avid gardener who has the unfortunate dilemma of limited space for planting. Since raised beds are primarily worked from the outside, plants can be placed closer together without rows left for walking through. This allows a gardener to plant numerous vegetables and flowers in a fairly limited amount of square feet.

Better Control for Higher Quality Crops

The soil in these beds can be controlled much more adeptly by the gardener, which allows for crops to thrive in a rich soil that the natural environment may not offer. It also makes for higher water efficiency as well as easier pest control. If burrowing animals are a problem in your area, lining your raised beds with a chicken wire will keep them out of your precious vegetables.

Raised bed gardening is not limited by the weather either. While many gardeners will avoid work during rainy days because of the mud factor, since raised beds are generally not made for walking, you can work your garden in any weather condition. These beds can be easy to construct with materials like brick or lumber, and do not have to be built up any higher than a couple of feet to benefit from the additional rich soil that you will be able to add.

Raised bed gardening can be a fun and useful way for a gardening hobbyist to expand his repertoire of crops and enhance his landscape. Try a raised bed as your next gardening project and enjoy the beauty and functionality of your results.

The Benefits Of Raised Bed Gardening

Raised bed gardening has many benefits that regular gardening does not have. The soil which is used in raised bed gardening is usually richer than the soil of a regular garden. You won't have to worry about erosion since the garden is enclosed. Tending to the garden is usually easier because you have greater control over weeds and unwanted grass.

You will probably be required to water the beds since most areas do not receive enough regular rain to keep them moist. The good thing is it does not take as much water since you are watering an enclosed area.

Raised bed gardening can provide high yields which are easier to harvest because of the height difference from the ground. This is also a good way to try your hand at organic gardening since the potting soil and compost will provide much needed nutrients. Netting can be applied to help ward off unwanted pests.

People who do not have a large area of land can benefit from raised bed gardening as well as those who are not able to work in the more traditional type garden. This type gardening can be fun and fruitful for the entire family.