Growing vegetables and herbs in a raised bed has advantages. They allow gardeners to start the gardening season earlier because the soil dries, and warms up more quickly in a raised bed. They are good for homeowners who have limited space or poor soil, as you can build a raised bed to any size you like and fill it with a good quality, outdoor soil. It also, gives the gardener more control over the elements when there is too much or too little moisture. Raised beds offer easier access for gardeners who have a mobility or back problem, as they are higher allowing the gardener to garden without the need to bend, and the gardener can sit on the edge of the bed while gardening. It is also cleaner as you do not walk in the garden, and you can access the garden in all types of weather as many raised beds are surrounded with mulch, rock or grass.
Raised beds can be constructed quite easily. You can draw up your own plans or purchase a ready to build kit. They can be made with a wood treated with copper, brick, or stone. They should be at least 30 cm high so that there is enough room for the plants roots and drainage. They can be as long as you want but not wider then 1.2-1.5 meters so that the gardener can easily reach into the middle of the bed without having to step into it, which will make the soil compact. When building the raised bed think about making it easy to water, you want to have easy access to a tap. Drip or soaker hoses work very well, and can be placed in the bed before planting it. Some gardeners like to add supports to the raised bed, The supports are used to hold hoops, which are placed over the garden and then Reemay or plastic is placed over the hoops to create a greenhouse, extending the gardening season.
Where the raised bed is placed is important, because you do not want to have to move it. Look at the yard for a few days and see where there is the most sun. A garden needs a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight every day. Try placing the bed so that the length of the bed is facing south. If possible, place the bed in a protected area, away from strong winds ( you need some air circulation as stagnant air can cause plant diseases) and possible early, or late frosts. It should also be level for even watering.
Almost any vegetable can be planted in a raised bed, provided it is large enough. An extra benefit to a raised bed is that you can plant more vegetables, herbs or flowers, in a raised bed then in a regular garden because there is no need for walking paths in the raised bed. Plan first before you plant. Shorter vegetables should be in front. Cucumbers can grow along the outer edge of the bed so that they can trail down. Place a trellis along the back edge of the raised bed for peas or beans. For healthy plants, try to rotate the crops as much as possible every year and this will help prevent disease, and pests, also.
We have 3 raised beds at home even though we have a large garden. One bed is filled with different herbs and is placed near the house so that we can access the herbs easily when we use them. The other two beds are a meter tall and have cucumbers in them. The cucumbers grow well as they enjoy warm temperatures and we can cover them at night. It also keeps them contained as cucumber plants can take up a lot of space.
Initially a raised bed is an investment in time and money as it has to be constructed and then filled with soil. If it is built correctly, and a high quality soil is used, you should be able to enjoy it for years to come. Add a thick of layer of compost, or manure, to the soil every spring and work it in to replenish the soil.
