Advantages of Raised Bed Gardening

Sunday, September 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am

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Gardening by means of a raised bed can be very much more comfortable than conventional gardening and can resolve a lot of frequent problems. In a raised bed a scaffold is used to hold earth above the ground at a suitable height so this kind of gardening is wonderful for anyone in a wheelchair or who has trouble kneeling down to cultivate a conventional garden. You can easily raise all kinds of plants including vegetables, herbs and flowers. Drainage is a lot better in this style of garden and flowers and vegetables that grow better in well drained soil will thrive.

Raised bed gardens aren’t complicated to build but if you are not skillful at carpentry you can buy raised garden kits that are trouble-free to set up and will last for a long time. They are available in various sizes and shapes so you can be sure to find one suitable for your garden. They also look extremely eye-catching and a lot are made from cedar which is certain to give you good service for many decades.

Some Advantages of Raised Bed Gardening

Soil in a raised bed warms up quicker than the soil in your garden in the early months of the year and will hold the warmth for longer in the Fall. This gives you an extended growing season, as a result you can transplant seedlings or sow earlier and give your plants more time to grow.
If you have inadequate soil in your garden which is lacking in nutrients or perhaps is very heavy clay then using raised beds can answer this problem. You can provide good quality soil with all the correct nutrients so that your plants will develop well.
If you have physical or medical problems so that it is difficult to kneel down or this type of effort makes worse your back pain then the use of a raised bed can make gardening more enjoyable. Building a bed at an appropriate height will avoid strain on your back and knees and allow you to garden for much longer. For people who have to use a wheelchair this manner of gardening will ensure they can take pleasure in raising vegetables and flowers which they may not be able do with a standard garden.
In a raised bed which is suitably made, drainage is better than in a traditional garden and you will not have saturated earth that can damage your plants and lead to poor growth.
In a raised bed you can sow much closer together which allows you to raise more plants in the same area and also aids in preventing weeds from growing and also helps to conserve water.
Soil does not become compacted from being trodden on in this kind of garden which permits water and air to get through to the roots more easily ensuring they grow correctly.
Although you can blend your garden soil with soil purchased from your garden center it is preferable to use all freshly prepared soil. This will ensure that there are no weed seeds or pests present in the soil which will provide a much better start to your garden and your plants. It will also cut down weeding. If pests do infect your raised bed they are very easy to manage in a small area or, if necessary, you can clear out all of the soil and fill up with new, sterilized soil.

Conclusion

Raised gardens may resolve many of your gardening problems, are especially attractive and will look good for many years. Cedar raised garden kits are particularly popular as they are water resistant and exceptionally long-lasting. Whether you decide to make your own raised garden or obtain a raised garden kit you will discover that you will like your gardening more and will cultivate many more nourishing vegetables and attractive flower beds.