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How to Start Growing in a Raised Garden Bed

Written by Amir Tajer

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Posted on January 31 2019

Raised garden beds have become an increasingly popular way of growing vegetables.

Apart from making gardening less exhausting, they are handy particularly if the soil in your backyard is compacted or has poor drainage.

In this post, we look into what a raised garden is, its benefits, and what you should grow in it.

What is a Raised Garden Bed?

 

Raised Garden Bed

A raised garden bed is a store-bought or handmade planting container which sits slightly above the ground.

It is then filled with good quality soil and vegetables are planted. Raised garden beds are not entirely new.

In times past, gardeners used to dig up their beds to form a circular or a rectangular mound that was about 1 to 1½ feet high and had sloping edges.

In urban gardening, the raised gardens feature a box which serves as a barrier to pests, keeps away pathway weeds, prevents soil compaction, and provides drainage.

Pros of a Raised Garden Bed

 Raised garden bed

Apart from the perfect drainage, reduced chances of soil compaction due to zero foot traffic, as well as pest and weed control, a raised vegetable garden has the following advantages:

  • They allow for smart watering - as they are small and organized, you can easily incorporate water-saving irrigation systems such as a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system.

 

  • Ergonomic advantages - raised garden beds give you the option of raising the garden as high as possible to reduce the strain on your back, neck, and shoulders that is typical of non-raised garden practices. Some designs feature a wider edge on which you can perch while working on your garden while others have a bench placed alongside your raised garden.

 

  • Raised gardens normally have higher yields - as you have control over the soil quality, you can incorporate nutritious organic matter. Besides, you do not have to space your seeds as you would if you were planting at ground level. This allows for higher yields for a smaller space.

 

  • They are neater and gives you room for creativity - raised gardens bring some form of order on your garden. You can also be creative with the frames by letting plant vines grow on them.

 

Ideal Vegetables to Grow in a Raised Garden

Green lettuce plant

Shop Lettuce Fertilizer 8-15-36 

 

While raised beds are great for growing virtually anything, the following vegetables perform best:

  • Leafy greens including spinach, kale, and lettuce
  • Onions
  • Root vegetables such as carrots, radishes, parsnips, and beets which thrive in loose and rock-free soil.
  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes

 

Raised Garden Planning and Positioning

One of the appealing aspects about a raised garden is that you can install it in your backyard without digging up the existing grass and clearing out the sod.

They can also fit anywhere provided they are placed where they get at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily. The more the sun, the healthier your plants will be.

Why Work With Us?

Greenway Biotech Bone Meal 3-15-0

Building a garden bed is a minor challenge in itself. 

You could build your own from scratch or head to your local home and garden shop to choose from corner kits which you complete with your lumber.

You can also opt for a complete raised bed made using galvanized steel, recycled plastic, or composite wood.

Once your garden bed is ready to go, we can provide you with eco-friendly fertilizers and raw chemicals for your gardening needs.

Your newly built garden bed needs healthy soil, after all.

Shop our eco-friendly, specialty and water-soluble fertilizers that are perfect for the gardening novice and pro, alike.

You can browse below or head to our home page to get your Greenway grow on! 

 

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