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Gardening 101 Day 10: What are the benefits of Raised Bed Gardening versus Standard Gardening? Part 2

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A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. — Gertrude Jekyll

Welcome to Part 2 of my Raised Bed blog posts. If you missed Part 1, just click the link! In part 1 I gave an easy how-to build a raised bed, today I’m going to discuss the benefits of raised bed gardening.

Again, as you all know I am an advocate for raised bed gardening for many reasons, and today I’m going to share those reasons with you. If you are an experienced gardener who has always worked in a tillable garden plot, then I am going to show you how to work smarter, not harder as well as showing how much time & effort you can save with raised beds. 

If you are a novice or someone who is thinking about starting a garden but just don’t know where to begin, then I am confident that you will be opting for a raised bed garden over a tillable plot. 

I know some of you who may be reading this don’t have a space for either a raised bed or tillable garden. Don’t worry, I’ll be touching on how you can grow a nice variety of vegetables in containers. Stay tuned for my YouTube video on How to grow in containers coming next week! Be sure to sign up for my emails so you don’t miss a post, podcast, or video!

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So, you may be asking, “What exactly is raised bed gardening?” Here’s a simple answer.

Raised bed gardening is a method of growing plants in soil that is elevated above the surrounding ground level.

Let’s look at the many benefits of raised bed gardening!

1. Raised beds improve drainage and soil quality!

Having better drainage allows plants to develop better root growth which equals healthier plants. This ultimately produces healthier soil for the plants you want to grow!

2. Secondly, raised beds are a great option for gardeners with limited space or mobility issues!

Raised beds can be built to any height desired, therefore allowing for a comfortable height providing easy access. This benefit can provide the opportunity to make gardening more accessible for those with physical limitations. The raised beds themselves can be designed to be wheelchair accessible, and the soil is typically at a more comfortable height for those who have difficulty bending over. This makes raised bed gardening a great option for older gardeners or those with mobility issues.

This photo was taken from Facebook page Happy Gardens

3. Amending your soil is so much easier!

Raised beds allow for better control over the soil, and the ability to add organic matter, which leads to healthier plants. Because the soil in a raised bed is not compacted by foot traffic or heavy machinery, it is able to retain more moisture and nutrients, leading to healthier plants and better yields. Additionally, the soil in a raised bed can be easily amended with compost or other organic matter, providing plants with the ideal growing conditions.

4. Raised bed gardening also allows for better control of pests and weeds.

Because the soil in a raised bed is not in direct contact with the surrounding ground, it is less likely to be overrun with weeds, and pests are easier to spot and remove. Additionally, raised beds can be enclosed with a barrier, such as chicken wire, to keep out larger pests, such as rabbits or deer. They also help to control pests and diseases by keeping them out of the soil, and they make it easier to control the pH and nutrient levels of the soil. 

5. Raised beds can be easily customized to fit any space, so even small gardens can have raised beds.

Raised bed gardening also provides a more efficient use of space. Because the soil in a raised bed is concentrated in a smaller area, more plants can be grown in a denser space. This makes raised bed gardening a great option for those with limited outdoor space, such as those living in urban areas or those with small yards.

6. You can design beds for your specific plants!

Raised beds can be designed to suit specific needs or preferences. For example, raised beds can be designed for specific types of plants, such as vegetables or flowers, and can be tailored to suit the specific growing conditions required for those plants. This allows for a more customized and successful gardening experience.

7. Lastly, you can ditch the tiller and many other expensive garden tools!

Raised beds eliminate so much of the hard work that a tillable plot requires. There is no tilling, minimal wedding, and much less space needed with raised beds. You can even ditch the hoe! Many of the larger and ultimately more expensive garden tools are not needed with raised beds.

Well, I could go on and on, but these are the primary benefits I believe raised bed gardening offers in comparison to standard gardening methods. The improved soil quality and accessibility make it a great option for a wide range of gardeners, while the pest and weed control and space efficiency make it a practical choice for those with limited outdoor space. The ability to design raised beds for specific plants and conditions also allows for a more successful and personalized gardening experience. 

I certainly hope you are encouraged to grow your own food. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start! 

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!

Happy Day,
Jean

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Gardening 101 Day 9: How-to Build Raised Beds & The Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening: Part 1

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The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives. – Gertrude Jekyll

As all of you who have been following me for the last decade know, I am all about utilizing raised beds. In my personal opinion, it is the best way for a home gardener to utilize space, grow food, and have the best experience possible with gardening.

Many of you also know we recently moved to a new home and I am about to create my new potager, AKA a kitchen garden. I’m French so I prefer to call it a potager LOL! You can read my how to blog on How to create your own potager or kitchen garden if you missed it!

I am super excited to share the whole process with you here and at my YouTube Channel. 

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This blog is going to be broken into 2 parts as there is a lot of content and I don’t want to overwhelm you with so much information all at once. Some of you may be experienced gardeners who have always gardened in a large, tillable spot while some of you may be just starting out and don’t know where to begin.

In today’s post I am going to discuss the how-to build raised beds, and in Part 2 I’ll discuss the benefits of raised  bed gardening.

There are many materials you can use to make raised beds, or you can purchase premade ones. In years past I have always built my beds with lumber. In my new garden I’ve purchased 7 galvanized metal ones… and I’m super excited! Here is a photo of the ones I purchased off Amazon. They are 2 feet high, where I’ve always had them just 1 foot. I’m getting older and my back isn’t getting any younger either, so I opted for a bit more height. You may be thinking that it will take a lot more dirt, which means more money, but I have some easy and FREE ways to avoid that! Read on to learn how friends!

Raised beds have gained a lot of popularity over the last decade. It is a gardening technique which encourages better drainage, soil quality, and pest control. They are also a great option for gardeners with limited space or mobility issues. Building a raised bed is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a weekend. So let’s get rolling with this informative how-to blog post!

How to build a raised be in 3 easy steps!

Step 1: Choose the perfect location!

Raised beds should be placed in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. They should also be located near a water source and in an area that is protected from strong winds.

Once the location has been chosen, the next step is to decide on the size and shape of the raised bed. The size of the bed will depend on the amount of space available and the number of plants that will be grown. A common size for a raised bed is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, but they can be made in any shape or size.

Step 2: Let’s prepare the ground!

The area should be cleared of any grass or weeds. This can be done in several ways.

The area must be cleared of any grass or weeds. This can be done in several ways. 

Option 1: First, choose an organic weed & grass killer. You can make one with vinegar. If you are not concerned with being organic, then use any weed and grass killer. With whatever you choose to use, cover the area with the killer liberally and let it do its job for at least 24 hours before moving forward with the next step.  

Option 2: You can cover the area with pieces of cardboard and then cover with black plastic woven ground cover. This will kill anything growing and is less harmful to the soil.

Option 3: Combine both options 1 and 2.

Use good materials when filling your beds for optimum growth!

Mulch your beds after planting with grass clippings. This keeps the moisture & heat in while breaking down and adding much needed nitrogen to your soil!

You can also mulch with straw. It will provide the same benefits to your soil as the grass clippings!

As the season goes on the soil will compact and settle. Each spring you will need to add more composted manure and some garden soil. 

As you plant your garden year after year, you will be taking nutrients out of the soil which is why you will need to replenish the composted manure and garden soil each spring and fall if you  choose. Also, each fall when you remove all the plant debris you will ultimately be taking soil out.

Step 3: Let’s get building those raised beds!

Once the ground is prepared, the raised bed frame can be built. The frame can be made from a variety of materials such as wood, brick, stone, or even recycled materials. The most common materials used for raised beds are wood and stone. If using wood, it is important to use rot-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood, as they will last longer.

As these are both more expensive the alternative is to consider using hardwoods, which is what I’ve always done and had great success. My beds have lasted years! I recommend using oak or another hard wood for the sides of your wood beds. If you choose to use a stone material, cinder blocks are a good choice. 

Again, common sizes are 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 1 foot high. Another nice size to work in are 4 x 4 making nice, easy to work in squares.

The frame should be secured in place with stakes or anchors.

PRO TIP: If you are planning to use beds higher than 1 foot high, than add a layer of plaster planter pots between the cardboard layer and the sticks. This will make it so you don’t need as many of the other layers!

Step 4: Filling your bed!

There is a very simple formula to filling raised beds. You can think of it as a layering, like a lasagna of materials. 

Layer 1 is the first layer at the bottom of the bed. I recommend using a layer of cardboard. This will break down and add carbon to the soil.

Layer 2: Lay a single layer of large sticks or branches on top of the cardboard. These too will compost and add carbon to the soil.

Layer 3: Cover the layer of sticks with straw. 

Layer 4: Cover the layer of straw with leaves.

Layer 5: If you are building 4 foot wide by 8 feet long beds then add 2 bags of organic composted manure, spread evening over the leaves.

Layer 6: If you have any compost sprinkle that on top now.

Layer 7: The final layer should be at least 6 inches deep of good soil. You can purchase bags or go to your local greenhouse or other supplies and purchase good, clean topsoil.

As the season goes on the soil will compact and settle. Each spring you will need to add more composted manure and some garden soil. 

As you plant your garden year after year, you will be taking nutrients out of the soil which is why you will need to replenish the composted manure and garden soil each spring and fall if you  choose. Also, each fall when you remove all the plant debris you will ultimately be taking soil out.

I certainly hope you are encouraged to grow your own food. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start! 

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!

Happy Day,
Jean

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.

Raised Bed: How to build and grow in a raised bed

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Hello all my Dragonfly friends! Check out my new ‘exclusive’ post at The Detroit News, The Good Life blog! Be sure to leave a comment, LIKE & SHARE! Hope to see you there!

http://blogs.detroitnews.com/thegoodlife/2013/03/27/how-to-build-a-raised-bed-grow-your-veggies-this-year-in-a-raised-bed-garden/

Happy day,
Jean