Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers in Raised Garden BedsGrowing vegetables, herbs and flowers in raised garden beds makes them easier to reach and take care of. vegetable gardens planting times in advance to ensure longer harvests. Also, use drip irrigation or soaker hose to avoid water waste.Line your garden with newspaper or cardboard lined with straw, hay or mulch to keep pests away. The use of cardboard or newspaper backed with hay, straw or mulch is an economical alternative.Easy to buildWith raised garden beds, you can cultivate many different plants in one spot. These beds can be constructed as big or small as you'd like. They are ideal for those with limited space who want to grow vegetables or herbs. You can plant raised gardens on a patio or balcony. This lets you grow these plants in a limited amount of sunlight.You can easily construct your own garden bed using materials you probably already have in your garden. You can use old milk crates to build a simple frame for your garden raised. The crates can be moved to meet changing requirements, for example when your plants require more or less sunlight.Wood pallets can be used to build an elevated garden. They are simple to work with and cost little. They're usually found at your local restore store or in the junk yard. You can use them as the wall to create a narrow raised vegetable garden, or place them on the ground using the help of dividers made from cardboard or sticks.When building your raised garden, you should consider line it with a tarpaulin to help insulate the soil to keep pests out and stop weeds from growing. Newspaper, cardboard and other recyclables work well as a liner, Burke says. You can also add compost or any other organic material to aid the soil in your raised garden retain moisture, increase the microbial activity and improve the chemistry of the soil for better growth of your plants.Once you've built your garden that has been raised and moved it to a sunny area on your property. If your garden sits on grass and is not able to be cut, use a sod chopper or grub hoe to remove the turf, and then till the area. The garden frame should be placed over the tilled soil. Check the corners with a framing square, and make adjustments as needed.If garden plant prefer, you can plant directly in the soil that has been raised. However, it's recommended to loosen the soil and add some amendments first for better results. For example, blueberries need an acidifier, while tomatoes thrive with an extra dose of nitrogen. Because the soil is more exposed to extreme temperatures during the summer, it is essential to water your garden more often.Easy to maintainRaised beds let gardeners grow more vegetables, fruits and herbs with less effort. They can simply toss compost, manures and other soil amendments onto the soil that is usually lighter in texture than conventional ground-level dirt. As time passes, organic matter are incorporated into the soil. This reduces the need to till the soil and improves the growing area.Raised bed gardens are also easier to maintain than ground plots. Because they are higher off of the ground it is not necessary to bend as much when you plant or weed especially as you grow older. You can make them waist- or thigh-high which is ideal for people with back and mobility issues.Raised beds can be made more rich in nutrients through a mix of mulches and organic compost. This will allow your crops to improve their growth. Raised beds are less compacted soil and are very rocky. This makes them able to hold more water.Raised beds are also excellent for managing the environment, and keeping animals and predators out. You can build fences made of wire around the edges of a raised garden, for instance to prevent burrowing gophers as well as other tunneling creatures. If you plan to plant blueberries, or other crops that require special care, the raised garden bed is a great choice.To keep the garden healthy and productive A regular rotation of different crops is crucial. This helps the soil replenish its nutrients, and also prevents diseases from infecting the crops. After harvesting the last of a raised bed, you should prepare it for winter by covering the soil with one inch of organic compost or leaf mold (use material from your personal compost pile) and three to four inches of dry leaves or straw. The mulch and compost will decompose over the winter months to provide vital organic nutrients for the garden's crops next year. This will also improve the soil structure and make it more moisture-retentive, which will reduce the need for frequent irrigation.Easy to StoreIf you're planting flowers or vegetables raised garden beds will give your plants the space they need to grow big and sturdy. This lets them establish a root system that allows them to survive droughts and other stresses that might otherwise cause them to fall. The taller planters also help you take care of your plants when you're not kneeling. There's nothing worse than a backache and being able to work in your garden without having to bend or kneel is a real benefit for many gardeners.Raised beds also stop soil erosion. Heavy rains can wash away soil, leaving it nutrient deficient and disrupting the microbe community. If you choose to use a raised bed there is less chance of the amendments you've made being washed away and diluted.Raised homes gardens are available in almost any size. They can be as large as a traditional one or as small as a window box. You can construct an elongated raised bed that is also known as a "keyhole garden". A keyhole garden is characterized by a hole in its middle that is filled with organic materials such as manure or compost and serves as a wick to water. This is particularly useful in climates with dry conditions.If you're growing veggies in your raised garden it is vital to have full sun to ensure maximum production. Vegetables require at least 8 hours of sun in the summer, and more is more beneficial. If you are in a shaded location do not fret, there are plenty of vegetables and herbs that thrive in partial sunlight like arugula spearmint, parsley, and chives.A raised bed's frame and height serve as an obstacle for pests such as slugs, snails, and rabbits. You can attract beneficial insects to your garden by planting marigolds or nasturtiums in your vegetable garden. This will also deter pests. Additionally, a border of colorful blooms will provide elegance and accomplishment to your meal-to-table experience.Easy to CleanGrowing vegetables and fruits in raised garden beds is a more straightforward than gardening on the ground. Raised beds are easy to clean and weed free. However, they require regular maintenance to ensure the health of the soil and the growth of plants.Before you plant, you need to prepare the soil of your raised bed. If the soil is a bit heavy with clay or sand Add organic material to improve drainage and increase fertility. A mix of two parts topsoil and one part compost is a good idea. If you don't have a compost bin, purchase a bag of soil-enhancing compost or potting mix at your local home improvement store.As the season progresses, you can remove all weeds by using a power weeder or a hand hoe. Be careful when using herbicides so that you don't harm the roots of your fruit or vegetable plants. Herbicides can be dangerous and harm or kill your crops. Instead of spraying chemicals, it's better to physically pull the weeds.Mulch your raised garden beds to stop future weeds. You can mulch your garden using straw, shredded leaves or hay. You can also buy organic compost that is safe for use in food, or wood chip mulch. The organic matter will decompose in the winter months and supply nutrients to your soil, and prepare it for an abundance of spring crops.It's also recommended to install drip irrigation systems in your raised beds. This will help you conserve water and prevent overwatering, which can lead to fungal diseases like Septoria leaf spot. Installing starting a garden in the fall or early spring is the best option.After the season is over, it's a good idea to cover your garden with a natural mulch. This will help the soil keep moisture and nutrients throughout the winter months, and can also discourage the growth of weeds. A layer of straw or shredded leaves is perfect however, you can also use a commercial hay or wood chips.