Preparing Garden Beds For Spring PlantingJesse Frost takes you through the steps to prepare beds to plant in spring. There are a number of important things to consider include the length of the bed along with soil depth, and the width of the path.Line your garden with a layer organic mulch, such as grass clippings, or straw. This smothers weeds and helps retain moisture.Easy to AssembleGarden beds are a great way to plant vegetables and flowers in poor soil. They can be constructed from various materials such as natural rot-resistant timber, stone, woven willow, recycled composite plastic lumber, and concrete. Some are even fashioned into furniture, adding an attractive and functional touch to your home's landscape. Most kits come with everything you need to build the beds. These include pre-cut pieces like edges, bottoms and even stands. Assembly is simple and only requires some basic hand tools.It is recommended to begin the project by sketching your space, and then determining the number of beds you will need to grow all the flowers and vegetables you want and how wide you want to make the paths between them. Plan the shape and location of the beds, taking into consideration sun exposure. If you are able, take an Google Earth overhead snapshot to get a sense of the sun's direction and intensity in your garden.Before assembling the beds, clear out the area and level the ground where the bed will be placed. It is a great idea to lay down an organic layer of compost, such as leaves, grass clippings and wood chips that will eventually turn into rich compost. This will help suppress weeds and keep the soil moist.When building the beds, be sure to avoid using pressure-treated wood such as creosote or pentachlorophenol-treated lumber, as these chemicals may leach into and injure plant roots. If you choose to use treated lumber, place a thick layer of plastic between it and the soil used for growing plants to avoid the direct contact between them.Before adding soil to the area, cover it with a thick layer or multiple layers of newspaper or hardware cloth if there is lots of tall grass and weeds. This will also discourage burrowing pests like moles and voles. After beginning gardening tips have been removed and disposed of, it will be simple to get rid of them.DurableIf you are looking to plant flowers and vegetables in your garden A raised bed is an excellent alternative. They are easy to build and are also sturdy which means they can last for a long time. There are a variety of garden beds that are available however, wood is by far the most well-known. Galvanized metals are also becoming more popular. So what is the best choice for you?While it is possible to build raised garden beds from many different materials, some are better than others. For instance, beds constructed from repurposed materials such as old railroad ties or fence posts may work just fine however they're not as durable as wood or galvanized metal beds. They will also degrade more quickly in humid climates.Another problem with repurposed materials is that they can contain toxic chemicals, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which will be absorbed into the soil and into your food crops. Even stock tanks that have been repurposed can have a problem, as they'll rust over time.Galvanized steel, on other hand, is more durable than wood. It is also lighter than other materials so it is more convenient to move around the yard or around an allotment. It's also a good choice for those planning to move to a different home, since galvanized raised beds can be disassembled and moved.Other durable options for garden beds are brick, concrete, and stone. They are relatively inexpensive and add a nice touch to your garden. Just make sure to use non-porous landscaping materials, as they are resistant to rot.Plastic and resin are durable materials that can be used to construct raised garden beds. They're not as costly as wooden raised garden beds, and won't warp or rot in extreme temperatures. Some come in a variety of colors that match your landscape while others are natural-colored. Some brands even advertise that they'll stay clean for a period of 15 years.If you want to create a more rounded appearance choose curved or circular flower beds. gardening secrets of designs are particularly appealing when they are used in a garden that slopes.Easy to MaintainRaised beds are commonly employed by gardeners to help make gardening easier. This could mean cutting down on kneeling for long periods and also preventing soil from becoming muddy following heavy rain or winds. It is essential to plan your bed correctly in order to achieve your goal. beginning gardening tips and the plants you select will determine how much maintenance it will require to maintain its appearance.A low-maintenance bed of flowers should be filled with sturdy plants that will reappear every year. It's also a good idea to layer the plants. Plants that are taller should be placed in the back, with the smaller and ground cover plants filling out the middle. This makes the bed appear lush and full. Adding some evergreen plants will provide color in the winter.If your garden raised is intended to be used for the cultivation of vegetables, it is recommended to build it higher to accommodate the different needs of the vegetables' root depth. Raised beds must be at least 4 feet wide. Any wider will be difficult to reach without getting sucked into the soil. You'll also need to consider how far you're able to stand from the edge of the bed when you're getting ready to harvest your vegetables.The raised beds for vegetable gardens should be lined with a weed barrier. This will stop soil from leaking out following heavy rains, and will help to keep weeds in control. A plastic liner helps protect the beds from animal waste and other debris. If you are worried about the liner becoming too hot, you can use a breathable biodegradable material like netting, jute, or jute instead.Another method of reducing the amount of work a raised vegetable bed requires is to add a layer of mulch. A layer of organic material like compost, shredded leaves or commercial mulch in bags, will keep the soil cool and help reduce the amount of water that evaporates. Mulching can also help keep the weeds away.A low-maintenance raised bed for flowers should include plants that don't need a lot of care once established. A few great options are hollyhocks (Helianthus annuus) Honeysuckle 'White delight' and sage (Salvia elegans). Select a plant that is suitable for the lighting conditions of your garden. For a border that is sunny, choose flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus "Belle Etoile" and hydrangeas such as "Annabelle." For shady areas, you can try heuchera, Sarcococca hookeriana or mahonia eurybracteata subsp. Ganpinensis 'Soft Caress'.Great for KidsGarden beds are ideal for children as they offer them their own garden of vegetables and plants that they can easily tend. In addition, gardening can promote physical activity in the sun and fresh air, which can help to improve overall health and cognitive function. Gardening also provides many opportunities for learning.Growing vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and green beans can be a great way to teach children about nutrition. Then kids can enjoy their hard work by eating the veggies that they planted and nurtured.A themed herb or vegetable garden is a different method to engage children. For example the pizza garden could include all of the ingredients needed to make delicious pizza. This could allow kids to learn to cook with ingredients that they grew themselves. It's also an excellent occasion to talk about the importance of eating food that are rich in brain-building vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.In addition to the nutritional benefits, a garden is a great way to teach youngsters about the cycles of nature and the roles that sun, water and soil play in the development of plants. It's also a fantastic method to gain knowledge about other food sources and to understand why it's so important not to waste any of the earth's resources.Furthermore, children will enjoy the opportunity to watch their own plant develop from a tiny seed to a fruiting plant. It's ideal for encouraging social interaction since they will be working together in the garden. They'll enjoy the excitement of seeing whose plant sprouts first.To encourage even more learning, choose an elevated garden bed that can accommodate your kids' unique needs. A raised garden bed that is 2 to 3 feet in width will allow children plenty of room to reach and manage their own gardens of vegetables and flowers. This size is also suitable for gardens that require a lot of physical work like carrying a wheelbarrow, or moving heavy soil.