Preparing Garden Beds For Spring PlantingIn this article, Jesse Frost walks you through the steps to prepare beds for spring planting. Bed length, soil thickness, and the width of the path are all important factors to consider.Line your garden with a layer of organic mulch such as grass clippings, straw, or hay. This will help smother weeds and also help retain moisture.Easy to AssembleGarden beds enable those with poor soil to successfully grow vegetables and flowers. They can be constructed of different materials, including natural rot-resistant wooden, stone, woven spruce, recycled composite plastic lumber, and concrete. Some are built into furniture that can be a functional and attractive touch to your home. Most kits come with everything you need to build the beds including pre-cut pieces to form edges as well as bottoms and stands. The assembly is simple and requires only the use of a few hand tools.It is best to begin the project by sketching your space, and then determining the number of beds you will have to cultivate all the vegetables and flowers you want and also how wide to make paths between them. Then, plan the layout and shape of the beds, taking into consideration sun exposure. Google Earth overhead photos can be used to determine the direction and intensity of the sun's rays in your garden.Before you begin assembling the beds, make sure to level the ground and clear the area. It is recommended to cover the bed with mulch or compost, like straw, leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips, that can be transformed into rich compost over time. This will help in reducing weeds and keep the soil damp.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 wood, put an extensive layer of plastic between the lumber and the soil in which plants are planted to avoid direct contact.If you're struggling with lots of tall grass or weeds in the area you'd like to place your garden beds, think about covering them with a thick layer of cardboard or several layers of newspapers or hardware cloth prior to putting in any soil. This will also stop creatures that burrow, such as moles and voles and is easy to get rid of once the weeds are gone.DurableRaised beds are an excellent method to grow vegetables and flowers in your garden. They are simple to put together and long-lasting, which means you can enjoy them for many years to come. There are many garden beds to choose from however wood is the most well-known. However galvanized metal is getting more popular as well. So, which one is right for you?While it's possible to construct raised garden beds from any number of materials however, some are more effective than others. Beds constructed from recycled materials such as old railroad ties or fence posts may work fine, but aren't as sturdy as beds made from galvanized steel or wood. They will also degrade faster in humid climates.Recycled materials may contain harmful chemicals, such as chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), that will leach out into the soil, and even your food crops. Repurposed stock tanks can also be problematic because they are rusty.Galvanized steel, on other hand, is much easier to maintain than wood. It is also lighter than other materials, so it is easier to transport around the yard or allotment. It's also a great option for those who are planning to move to a different house, as galvanized raised beds can be disassembled and moved.There are other choices of durability for garden beds, including concrete, brick and stone. They are also fairly inexpensive and can provide a pleasing look to your landscape. Use non-porous material to prevent the spread of rot.Plastic and resin are two of the most durable materials for garden beds. They are not as expensive as wooden garden beds and will not warp or rot in extreme temperatures. Some are available in a variety of colors that will complement your landscape, while others are naturally colored. Certain brands claim that they won't require any maintenance for up to fifteen years.If you're looking for a distinctive design, consider using curved or round flower beds to create a more rounded landscape. These designs are particularly appealing in gardens with slope.Easy to MaintainMany gardeners create raised beds to make gardening easier. This could include removing the need to kneel or squat for long periods of time, or keeping the garden soil from becoming too muddy after rain or heavy winds. It is essential to plan your bed properly to achieve your goal. The bed's height and the plants you select will determine the amount of maintenance it will need to maintain its appearance.A low-maintenance garden should include plants that will return year after year. It's an excellent idea to layer the plants. Plants that are taller should be placed in the back, with mid-height and ground cover plants in the center. This makes the bed appear lush and full. Adding some evergreen plants will bring color to the winter.If you intend to make use of your raised garden to grow vegetables, it is important to raise it to accommodate the different requirements for the root depth of vegetables. The beds that are raised must be at least 4 feet wide. Any wider will be difficult to reach without stepping onto the soil. When you're ready to harvest your vegetables you'll have to consider how far you can stand away from the edge of the beds.Vegetable-gardening raised beds should be lined with a hedge. This will prevent the soil from leaking out after rainy days and keep weeds in check. The plastic liner will protect the beds from animal waste and other debris. If you are concerned about the liner becoming too hot, you can use a breathable biodegradable material like netting, jute or jute.Another way to reduce the amount of work a raised vegetable garden requires is to add mulch. A layer of organic material such as compost, shredded leaves, or commercial mulch in bags will keep the soil cool and reduce evaporation. Mulching can also help in keeping weeds at bay. garden ideas -maintenance raised flower bed should include plants that don't need a lot of care once established. You can choose from hollyhocks, honeysuckle "White Delight" and sage. Choose shrubs that suit the lighting conditions of your garden. For a sunny border choose flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus "Belle Etoile" and hydrangeas like "Annabelle." For shady areas, try heuchera, Sarcococca hookeriana or mahonia eurybracteata subsp. Ganpinensis "Soft Caress".Great for KidsGarden beds are ideal for kids because they allow them to have their own little plot of plants and vegetables which they can care for with ease. Gardening also promotes physical exercise in the sunshine and fresh air. This helps to improve overall health and cognitive functions. Gardening also provides a variety of opportunities for educational learning.Growing vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and green beans can be an excellent way to educate children about nutrition. Then kids can enjoy their hard work by eating the fruits and vegetables which they have grown and nurtured.A themed vegetable or herb garden is another way to get kids involved. For instance pizza gardens could include all the herbs needed to make a delicious pizza. This can teach kids how to cook with ingredients they've grown. It's also a great opportunity to talk about the importance of eat foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients that aid in building the brain.Gardening is a wonderful method to teach children about the cycles of nature's world and the roles played by water, sunlight and soil in the growth of plants. It's also a wonderful way to learn about other food sources and to understand the importance of not to waste any of our earth's resources.Children will also love to watch their garden develop from a tiny seed to a fruiting plant. It's an excellent way to promote social interaction as they will be working together in the garden. They'll love watching which plant grows first.To help promote learning, choose a raised garden bed that is able to accommodate your child's specific needs. For instance, a raised garden bed that's 2 or 3 feet wide can provide plenty of room for kids to easily reach and tend to their own plot of plants and vegetables. This size is ideal for gardens where a lot of physical labor is required, such as driving wheelbarrows or moving heavy soil.