Raised bed gardening is a form of gardening in which the soil is formed in 3–4 foot (1.0–1.2 m) wide beds, which can be of any length or shape. The soil is raised above the surrounding soil (6 inches to waist high), sometimes enclosed by a frame generally made of wood, rock, or concrete blocks, and enriched with compost. The vegetable plants are spaced in geometric patterns, much closer together than conventional row gardening.
The spacing is such that when the vegetables are fully grown, their leaves just barely touch each other, creating a microclimate in which moisture is conserved and weed growth suppressed. Raised beds produce a variety of benefits: they extend the planting season; they reduce the need to use poor native soil; and they can reduce weeds if designed properly. Since the gardener does not walk on the raised beds, the soil is not compacted and the roots have an easier time growing.
The close plant spacing and the use of compost generally result in higher yields with raised beds in comparison to conventional row gardening. Waist high raised beds enable the old and sick to grow vegetables without having to bend over to tend them. Raised beds lend themselves to the development of complex agriculture systems that utilize many of the principles and methods of Permaculture.
They can be used effectively to control erosion and recycle and conserve water and nutrients by building them along contour lines on slopes. This also makes more space available for intensive crop production. They can be created over large areas with the use of several commonly available tractor-drawn implements and efficiently maintained, planted and harvested using hand tools.
This form of gardening is compatible with square foot gardening and companion planting. Circular waist high raised beds with a path to the center (a slice of the circle cut out) are called keyhole gardens. Often the center has a chimney of sorts built with sticks and then lined with feedbags or grasses that allows water placed at the center to flow out into the soil and reach the plants' roots.
The charity 'Send a Cow' is promoting the creation of these in Africa.
After years of trying to grow things that enjoy sun in far too shady a spot, I've decided to recreate my raised bed as an herb garden. I simply miss having an extensive range of herbs! So, I'll be... more
After years of trying to grow things that enjoy sun in far too shady a spot, I've decided to recreate my raised bed as an herb garden. I simply miss having an extensive range of herbs! So, I'll be picking up Rosemary today. At least. And maybe sage. And maybe...
Raw AnnieRabbits can be easy to deter from a raised bed :) Fencing with chicken wire is cheap- just be sure to staple the bottom securely as rabbits can squeeze into anywhere haha
Just removed the grass from my 4'x6'x9" raised garden bed. Wow! I dont want to do that again. Filled it with 12 bags of soil. planting vegtables and fruit this week.
After 2 broken bits (thanks to knots in the lumber), I managed to drill pilot holes & screw the sides of my 3rd raised beds together. Not particularly fun, but now all I'll have to do is lay down the... more
After 2 broken bits (thanks to knots in the lumber), I managed to drill pilot holes & screw the sides of my 3rd raised beds together. Not particularly fun, but now all I'll have to do is lay down the landscaping fabric and fill the 4x4' square with soil on top. ;-)