Raised beds could be easily covered with hoops for frost protection and season extension.Earlier planting – The raised bed facilitates better runoff and drainage allowing soil to warm faster in the spring.An option to formulate one’s own growing medium with specific formulations and ratios of soil, compost, soil-less medium, etc.They can raise the height and increase accessibility for people who have difficulty bending and stooping.Great resource for people with limited or small space.Provide opportunity to raise vegetables in areas with little or no soil, unsuitable soil, or contaminated soil.Improved soil drainage, allowing soil to dry and warm faster in the spring, and provide better soil conditions for vegetable crops that need well-drained soils.Some of the major advantages which raised beds offer include: Typically supported raised beds are created using untreated rot resistant lumber like cedar. If using wood, it is advisable to use untreated form. This type of raised bed is constructed by building a framework with wood, stone, brick or plastic. The mounds are created by bringing in additional soil to form the beds, or by excavating three to four inches of soil from pathways between beds. It can be easily constructed by creating flap-topped mounds, usually six to eight inches high, and require no additional materials other than additional soil.
Raised beds also come handy in situations when your backyard or garden is prone to runoff and erosion.
There are situations when it is more desirable to grow plants in raised beds because of less bending and crawling involved. Such soils hinder seed germination, root growth, root establishment, nutrient supply and eventually affect plant growth. Many gardeners are stuck with soil types that have poor nutrient status, are too wet, compacted and have poor drainage, or infested with nematodes and other soil-borne pests. There are various reasons why installing a raised bed can help improve the health and productivity of your vegetable garden. A raised bed does not have to be very deep. For a vegetable garden one could go either way. The design of raised beds may be formal or informal, or rectangular or irregular shaped. The planting area is raised above the existing soil level and usually enclosed within a structure to form a planting bed. What are raised bedsĪs the name suggests, raised beds are freestanding beds constructed above the natural terrain or grade of the soil. Below we discuss situations where raised-beds significantly enhance plant growth and yield, simple ways to construct them, and growing medium in raised beds. It is an important question that has direct implications on how well your plants will grow. More for homeowners and backyard growers, one question we all wrestle with is whether to grow vegetable in soil or in raised beds. We all know that soil or growing medium is an important factor to guarantee high vegetable yields and quality. We are inching towards official start of Spring which marks the beginning of planning, designing, and installation, and all other activities surrounding vegetable production.
RAISED BED VEGETABLE GARDEN PLANNER PROFESSIONAL
Assistant Professor, Department of HorticultureĪs weather warms up, so do the weekend warriors, professional growers, gardeners, and landscapers.