One of the “Big Things” in gardening are raised beds. Some trends in gardening are legit improvements and some are just fads and either not worthy of your effort or are actually detrimental (ie. black plastic weed mats). Raised beds are legit. Why? 2 main reasons.
- Easy to harvest and pull weeds.
They’re great for older persons or anyone who has difficulty in bending over. Ground beds often work quite well, but unless you’re a teen-ager, they can impart stress on your knees and back. Raised beds move the plants off the ground to a point where they are simply more accessible.
- Great for improving drainage.
Many, if not most soils in eastern Nebraska are heavy clay and poorly drained, which is really limiting for root development and the overall health of plants. Raised bed soils are improved and amended to the point where root growth is not restricted.
The benefits of raised beds apply to simple lifted ground beds or low-to-the-ground container gardens. Either way, you’ll get these 2 big plusses…and probably start thinking differently about “regular gardening”.
How do you make one? It’s simple. Just 3 steps:
Step One. Put cobble stones, railroad ties, bricks, wood planks or any sort of material that will hold soil around a ground bed, then mix in a couple inches of compost, rotating a 4 pronged pitchfork as you go.
Or, if a more sturdy and long lasting structure is desired, then dig into the construction tips found in this publication from Iowa State University: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/creating-raised-bed-planters.
Step Two. Consider Right Plant, Right Place. Since raised beds can be placed just about anywhere in the landscape, it’s important to group plants together that grow best in sun and create separate shade beds for locations such as under broadleaf trees, the north side of buildings and sheds or under the eaves of the house.
Step Three. Start planting. Of course, planting is easier with a raised bed, since it’s 6 to 18 inches closer to your hands. Make a furrow or space in the soil for the roots, pop the plant out of the container, spread out the roots and place the root mass in the soil. After planting, firm the roots in the soil lightly and water to settle the soil and moisten the roots. Keep the recommended spacing in mind as indicated on the plant care tag. For example, if you’re planting a pepper, keep 2 ½ to 3 feet between plants to allow for air flow and sunlight penetration. After planting, pay close attention to soil moisture, as the new raised bed will drain more freely than a ground bed. Testing frequently with a dowel, screwdriver or even your finger will help with keeping a handle on how dry or moist the soil is.
