Raised gardening beds are higher than ground level, and seperated by paths. Plants cover the bed areas; gardeners work from the paths. The beds ae 3'-5' across to premit easy access and may be any length. You can grow any vegetable in raised beads, as well as herbs, annual or perennial flowers, or berry bushes. Raised beds can: solve problems of difficult soils; improve production; save space, time, and money; and improve your garden's appearance and accessibility. While that sounds like a tall order, raised beds can do it all. Crops produce better because they grow in deep, loose, fertile soil that is never walked upon. And you can grow twice as many crops in the same space. Raised beds save time and money becuas you need only dig, fertilize, and water the beds, ignoring the soil in the paths. You don't need to weed as much when crops grow close together, because weeds can't compete. Gardeners with limited mobility find raised beds the perfect solution — a wide sill on framed raised bed makes a good spot to sit while working; and a high frame puts plants in reach of a gardener using a wheelchair. The quickest and easiest way to make a raised bed is simply to add lots of organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost, to your garden soil to mound up planting beds. However, the traditional way to make a raised bed is to double dig. The process involves removing the topsoil layer from the bed, loosening the subsoil, and replacing the topsoil, mixing in organic matter in the process. Double digging has many benefits, but can be time-consuming and laborious. If your garden soil is difficult — heavy clay, very alkaline, or full of rocks — you may want to mix your own soil from trucked-in topsoil, organic matter, and mineral amendments. Then you can build beds from ground level, without disturbing or incorporating the native soil. Shape the soil in an unframed bed so that it is flat-topped, with sloping sides (this shape helps conserve water), or forms a long, rounded mound. Frames prevent soil from washing away and allow you to add a greater depth of improved soil. Wood, brick, rocks, or cement blocks are popular materials for framing. Choose naturally rot-resistant woods such as cedar, cypress, or locust. Bed in a Box If measuring and sawing are not your idea of a good time, there are dozens of raised-bed kits available, in a handy array of sizes, shapes, colors, and materials. Many are made from recycled plastic. Most snap together; a few use metal connectors. We have used and can recommend kits from
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