Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular in recent years with their convenience and efficiency. Raising your garden beds above the ground can be hugely beneficial when it comes to protecting your plants, but also in simply allowing them to grow better. With the ability to grow in any area of your yard, the allure of raised garden beds is high. No matter the area or shape, large or small, a raised garden bed is possible. Improved drainage, less chance for soil compaction, and choosing the garden soil of your choice make raised garden beds an enticing move for even the most seasoned garden veterans. Not only that, but when you are free to keep your soil high in organic matter, your bed will retain moisture extremely well. When your bed retains moisture, your plants will respond in kind, thriving in the raised bed environment. We put together this short guide to help you understand the benefits of raised garden beds, and how you can build and maintain them on your Louisville property.
Advantages of Raised Garden Beds
As aforementioned, raised garden beds possess numerous benefits and are essential for everyone. They allow you to optimize the space in your yard, increase yield, and make weed and pest control that much simpler. Your soil will inherently be superior, as it avoids foot traffic, and can be tailored to your specifications. You can also take advantage of fertilizer and amendments to make for an even better growing environment. Furthermore, raised garden beds make gardening so much lighter on your body. No more breaking your back or stepping around plants, as access becomes easy.
Building a Raised Garden Bed
Now that we have established why raised garden beds are so great, let’s go over how you can go about the construction process. While you can purchase a kit online, let us assume that is not the case. First, you must pick a site within your yard that drains well, and allows for necessary nutrients to reach your plants. Consider wood, metal, stone, or plastic as your potential materials. These materials will be the most durable and provide you with the most longevity. While the most common shape for raised garden beds is rectangular, you can tailor the size and shape to your exact needs. Be creative, and use your resources and space efficiently.
When it comes to depth, one to two feet is the standard, with the width somewhere from two to four feet. You want to make sure that you keep the whole bed accessible to you. Make sure you build your structure with a north-south orientation, as to allow direct sunlight to hit both sides of the beds. Once your structure is built, consult your local nursery for advice on what soil would work best for you, but know you have options. At Nature’s Mulch, we recommend our “Nature’s Garden Magic” blend. A mixed blend of topsoil, compost, and soil additives, Nature’s Garden Magic will meet premium soil standards. Additionally check out our product calculator, based upon the measurements of your raised garden bed, you can see exactly how much Garden Magic you need. Alleviating the necessity of creating your own mix, Nature’s Garden Magic is exactly tailored to the needs of our Louisville customers.
Typically, you can also place cardboard or metal hardware at the bottom of your bed to prevent weed growth. Another benefit is that after your raised bed is complete, it becomes very easy to cover when protecting your beds from birds or frost.
Maintaining a Raised Garden Bed
Finally, you have completed your beautiful raised garden bed, and now you must tend to it. Although garden beds require maintenance, raising them does alleviate some pressure. Regular watering, along with the use of mulch to prevent weed growth, are both necessities. Also, consider weeding every once in a while, as no garden bed is immune. Other than these few simple tasks, your raised garden bed should be locked and loaded to grow a versatile selection of plants, assisted by your skillful hand.