Preparing Garden Beds For Spring PlantingJesse Frost takes you through the steps to prepare beds for planting in spring. There are a number of important things to consider include the length of the bed as well as soil depth, and the width of the path.Line your garden with a layer of organic mulch like grass clippings, hay or straw. This smothers weeds and helps retain moisture.Easy to AssembleGarden beds are a wonderful way to plant flowers and vegetables in poor soil. They can be made of various materials, including natural rot-resistant wood, stone weave willow recycled plastic lumber, and concrete. Some are even made into furniture, providing an attractive and practical touch to your home's landscape. The majority of kits include everything you need to construct the beds. These include pre-cut pieces such as edges, bottoms and even stands. The assembly process is relatively easy and requires just the use of a few tools.It is best to begin the project by sketching your space and working out how many beds you need to grow all the vegetables and flowers you'd like, as well as how wide you want to make the paths between them. Then, plan on the shape of the beds and where they will be located, taking into account the sun's exposure. Google Earth overhead photos can be used to determine the direction and intensity of the sun's light in your garden.Before starting to assemble the beds, clean the area and level the ground in which the bed will be erected. It is a great idea to spread an organic layer of compost, such as grass clippings, leaves and wood chips that will turn into rich compost. This will help in reducing the weeds and keep the soil hydrated and increase the amount of nutrients it has.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, you should put an extensive layer of plastic between the lumber and the soil in which plants are grown to prevent direct contact.If you're dealing with lots of tall grass or weeds in the area where you'd like to place your garden beds, you should consider covering them with a thick layer of cardboard or several layers of newspapers or metal hardware cloth before adding any soil. This will also deter the burrowing of pests such as moles and voles. After the weeds are gone they will be easy to get rid of them.DurableIf you are looking to plant flowers and vegetables in your garden, a raised bed is a great option. They are easy to build and are also very durable which means they can last for years to come. There are a myriad of types of garden beds to pick from but wood is the most popular material. Galvanized metals are becoming more popular. So what is the best choice for you?While it's possible to build a raised garden bed from any number of materials however, some are more effective than others. Beds made of recycled materials like old railroad fence posts or ties may work fine, but are not as durable as beds made from galvanized steel or wood. In humid climates, they'll also deteriorate faster.Another issue with reused materials is that they could contain toxic chemicals, like chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which will leach into the soil and your food crops. Even stock tanks that have been repurposed can be problematic, since they'll begin to rust after a while.Galvanized steel, on other hand, is much more durable than wood. It is also less heavy than other materials so it is more convenient to move around the yard or allotment. It's also a good choice for those who plan to move to a new house, as galvanized raised beds can be disassembled and moved with them.Other durable options for garden beds include brick, concrete, and stone. They are reasonably priced and add a nice touch to your landscape. Be sure to use non-porous materials as they will ward off rot.Plastic and resin are two of the most durable materials for raised garden beds. garden plant 're not as expensive as wood, and they won't get warped or rot in extreme temperatures. gardening vegetable are available in a variety of colors that match your landscape, while others are natural colored. Some brands even advertise that they'll stay free of maintenance for up to 15 years.If you are looking to give your garden a more round look choose curved or circular flower beds. These styles are especially attractive in gardens with a slope.Easy to maintainRaised vegetable gardens are frequently employed by gardeners to make gardening easier. This could mean reducing the need to kneel for long periods of time and preventing soil from becoming muddy after heavy rain or winds. It's crucial to design the bed properly to accomplish the goal you want it to. The height of your bed and the plants you choose will determine the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking nice.A low-maintenance flower bed should be filled with hardy plants which will return year after season. You can also layer your plants. starting a garden should be placed in the back, with mid-height and ground cover plants in the middle. This makes the bed look lush and full. The winter color can be added by adding evergreen plants.If you intend to use your raised garden to grow vegetables, it's important to raise it up to meet the various requirements for the root depth of vegetables. The ideal raised bed should be at a minimum of four feet wide. It's difficult to reach further than four feet without walking on the soil. When you're ready to harvest your vegetables, you'll need to consider how far you're able to get away from the edge of the beds.Vegetable-gardening raised beds should be lined with a hedge. This will keep soil from leaking out after heavy rains. It will also aid in keeping weeds in control. A plastic liner protects the beds from animal waste and other debris. If you're worried about the plastic liner getting too hot, choose breathable biodegradable materials like jute, netting or jute.Another method to cut down on the amount of work a raised vegetable garden requires is to add a layer of mulch. A layer of organic material, such as shredded leaves, compost, or bagged commercial mulch, will aid in keeping the soil cool and help reduce transpiration. Mulching can keep weeds at bay.Low-maintenance raised flower beds must include plants that require minimal maintenance once they've established. You can choose from honeysuckle, hollyhocks "White Delight" and sage. Select plants that are suitable for the light conditions of your garden. For a border that is sunny, choose flowers-loving plants like Philadelphus "Belle Etoile" and hydrangeas such as "Annabelle." For areas that are shady, consider heuchera, Sarcococca hookeriana or mahonia eurybracteata subsp. Ganpinensis "Soft Caress'.Great for KidsGarden beds are ideal for children as they give them their own little garden with vegetables and plants that they can tend to with ease. In addition, gardening can promote physical activity in the sun and fresh air, which helps to improve overall health and cognitive function. Gardening also provides many opportunities for educational learning.Planting vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and green beans is a great way to teach children about nutrition. After that, children can take pleasure in the results of their efforts by eating the veggies that they grew and cared for.A themed herb or vegetable garden is a different method to engage children. A pizza garden, for example, could include all the herbs needed to make a delicious pizza. This could allow kids to learn to cook with ingredients they grow themselves and it's a good opportunity to talk about the importance of eating food that contain brain-building vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.In addition to the nutritional benefits gardening is a great way to teach youngsters about the cycles of nature and the role water, sun and soil play in the growth of plants. It's a great way to teach children about other food sources, and why it's important to make sure we don't waste our planet's precious resources.Children will also love to see their plant develop from a tiny seed to a fruiting crop. It's ideal for encouraging social interaction as they will be working together in the garden. They'll be excited about discovering which plant will sprout first.To encourage even more learning, select a raised garden bed that is able to accommodate your children's unique needs. A raised garden bed that is 2 to 3 feet wide will allow children plenty of room to reach and manage their own gardens of plants and flowers. This size is also great for gardens that require a lot of physical work such as carrying a wheelbarrow, or moving soil that is heavy.