What do you need for a raised garden bed? – KXAN Austin
Allen Foster, Best Commentary Staff
21 minutes ago
Here’s what you need for a raised garden bed
In this article:
The concept of raised family gardens has been around since the Middle Ages. Today, they seem to be more popular than ever, especially in urban areas. A raised bed garden is a space-saving way to have a well-organized garden system that’s better for plants than planting it at ground level.
It is important to understand that elevated gardening is different from container gardening. The soil is enclosed by an elevated garden, but is still located directly above ground. This key factor allows the roots to grow beyond the depth of the garden walls for the plants to thrive. With container gardening, there is limited room for root growth, so plant growth is stunted.
What are the benefits of a raised bed garden?
When you grow plants in a raised bed, whether to admire or to eat, the elevated design helps keep out weeds and pests, allowing your plants to thrive in a healthy environment. In addition, this gardening method helps prevent soil compaction, provides better drainage and allows you to plant earlier in the season because the soil is warmer when it is above ground level.
From an aesthetic point of view, the raised bed garden system allows you to define the layout of your garden the way you want it, allowing you to organize precisely what goes into it. An elevated garden is also easier on your back because you don’t need to bend as far as you work. Many people enjoy sitting on a small lawn chair while tending to a raised bed garden.
What you need to know before buying a garden raised bed
Before purchasing the items you need to start a raised bed garden, you’ll need to do a little thought and make some crucial decisions. Here are some things to consider before making any purchases:
Where is the best place to plant a raised bed garden?
The garden needs at least six to eight hours of sun each day. The first thing you need to do is find an area on your property that receives enough sunlight.
What can be grown in a raised bed garden?
The beauty of having a raised bed garden is that you can grow almost anything you want. This includes flowers, vegetables, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and even trees.
How big should a raised bed garden be?
While the answer to this question depends somewhat on what you want to grow, there are some basic guidelines to follow when planning the size of your raised garden. Since you want to reach all of your plants without straining, don’t make them wider than 4 feet.
However, if the garden will be against a wall or fence, a 2-foot-wide raised bed is the best choice. In general, most garden raised beds are 4 to 8 feet tall.
Do animals have access to a raised bed garden?
While an elevated lawn is a deterrent to many creatures, some may still be large enough, curious enough and crafty enough to cause trouble. While garden fencing is a good solution in most cases, if you have chronic pests, you may want to install some tarps over your raised bed garden for added protection.
What do I need to buy a garden raised bed?
Now that you have a better idea of what a raised bed garden is, it’s time to look at the basic items you’ll need to purchase.
Greens raised fence garden planter bed
The quick, tool-less assembly of this raised bed planter makes it very attractive. It has an open bottom and is made of pre-galvanized powder-coated steel.
Sold by Amazon
Greenes Fence raised garden bed in cedar
This large raised garden planter is made of premium, untreated cedar so it’s safe for vegetables. An open-bottom frame is ideal because it allows plants to grow and also supports your garden.
Sold by Amazon
Miracle-Gro is an organic and natural plant food for plants
For best results, the soil in your raised garden should consist of two parts topsoil and one part compost. To keep your plants healthy, you need to feed them, too. One 3-pound bag of this organic plant food can keep your raised garden nourished for up to two months.
Sold by Amazon
Scotts Earthgrow Brown Mulch
On top of your soil, you need to add a thin layer of mulch. Too much and you’ll invite disease, not enough, and it won’t combat weeds. This quality product from a reliable company contains 1.5 cubic feet of protective cover.
Seller Home Depot
Drip irrigation kit
Once you’ve built your raised garden, filled it in, and fed the plants, you’ll need to deliver water to the root system of those plants. This fully customizable drip irrigation kit is designed to water up to 20 plants. It even comes with a timer so you never miss a chance to water your raised garden.
Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster Writer at BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with one mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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