No digging is required if your raised beds are tall enough to allow plant roots to grow, or if the soil beneath the beds is healthy with adequate drainage. If the ground is compacted, it is recommended to loosen the soil with a turning fork or shovel, and add a drainage layer of loose gravel to the bottom of the planter. For raised Read more…
Raised bed gardening provides a head start on spring planting, speeds up plant growth, reduces the work necessary to harvest, and provides a more abundant yield than an in-ground garden. Few if any weeds tend to grow through the tops of beds that are 11 inches or taller, and the planter provides a natural barrier against pests. The walkways between raised Read more…
How deep (or tall) a raised bed should be depends on the rooting depth requirements of the plants you wish to grow, and whether the ground below the planter is made of healthy soil. Deep rooted plants such as tomatoes, zucchini, corn, and perennial fruits and vegetables, do best in planters at least 22 inches tall, or shorter if the ground below Read more…
Footpaths around beds can be as little as 18 inches, although wider paths of at least 24 inches are recommended for wheelbarrow and lawnmower access. For wheelchair accessible gardens, paths between beds should be at least 36 inches wide to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
For wheelchair accessible gardens, raised beds 18-24 inches high are recommended. Planters 30-36 inches tall will reduce the need for bending over while gardening from a standing position. Standing planters are another good option; they cost less and require less soil than similar height raised beds. Pathways between planters should be 3-4 feet wide to allow for wheelchair access. In Read more…
Building raised garden beds on a slope is simple with a bit of digging. Setup your raised beds so the long sides run parallel to the slope and dig into the hillside (rather than build out) to create a firm foundation below planters. Don’t worry about leveling the entire area, just make a trench where the planter sides will be Read more…
Yes. If you are building raised beds on a rooftop, planter bottoms are recommended to for soil drainage. Consult with a professional before setting up large gardens on rooftops to make sure the total weight of the beds, including soil and water, does not exceed weight limitations.
The amount of garden space needed to feed a family depends on a number of factors, including crop selection, productivity, diet and eating habits, of course, the size of your household. One conservative estimate suggests that is takes about 200 square feet of raised garden beds to provide a season’s worth of fresh produce for a single person. By this Read more…