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. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to reduce water waste and to stagger planting times.You can consider lining your garden to protect the soil and keep pests out. Newspaper or cardboard encased with straw or hay or mulch is a great cost-effective option.Easy to buildRaised garden beds permit you to plant many different plants at once. The beds can be as large or as small as you want. This makes them perfect for those who don't have a lot of space but want to try growing herbs or vegetables. You can even make a raised garden for a patio or balcony. This allows you grow these plants in areas with limited sunlight.You can build your own raised garden bed from materials you already have in your garden. You can make use of milk crates to build a simple frame around your raised garden. These frames can be moved to accommodate changing requirements, for example if your vegetables need more or less sunlight.Wood pallets can be used to build a raised garden. They are simple to use and inexpensive. They can be found in your local junk yard or restore store. They can be hung on an exterior wall for a raised vegetable garden, or you can put them on the ground using dividers cut from cardboard or sticks.When building your raised garden, think about line it with a tarpaulin to help insulate the soil and keep pests out and prevent weeds. Newspaper or cardboard and other recyclables work well as a liner, Burke says. You can also add a layer of organic material or compost to your garden's soil. This will help it hold in moisture improve its chemistry and increase the activity of microbial life.After you have built your raised garden on your property, you can move it to a sunny spot. If your garden is surrounded by grass, you can remove the turf using a sod cutter. Then, you can till the area. Once the soil is tilled, put the garden frame on the top. Utilize a framing square to inspect the corners and make any needed adjustments.It is possible to plant directly into the raised soil if you prefer however, it is recommended to loosen up the surface initially, and then make some amendments to ensure better results. Blueberries, for instance need an acidifier and tomatoes benefit from a little extra Nitrogen. Additionally, since the soil is exposed to more extreme temperatures, it is essential to water more often during summer than a traditional garden.Easy to maintainRaised beds enable gardeners to grow more vegetables, fruits, and herbs with less effort. They can simply dump compost, manures and other soil amendments over the soil, which is usually lighter in texture than traditional dirt that is placed on the ground. As time passes, organic matter are in the soil. This reduces the need to till the soil and enriches the growing area.Raised beds are also more manageable than in-ground plots. As they are raised above the ground, you don't have to bend as much when you plant or weed, especially when you age. You can create them waist- or thigh-high which is great for those who have back and mobility issues.Utilizing a mix of mulches and compost raised beds can provide soil that is rich in nutrients, which helps the crops to grow more healthy. Raised beds have less compacted soil and are rocky. This allows them to hold more water.Another advantage of raised beds is that they are easy to control the environment in the sense that they keep out predators and other creatures. Install a wire mesh along the edges of raised bed to keep out gophers that dig in the ground. If you plan to plant a crop that requires special attention or protection, such as blueberries, an elevated bed is the ideal place to put it.To keep the garden healthy and productive A regular rotation of different crops is essential. This gives the soil to replenish its nutrients and stops diseases from contaminating your crops. After harvesting make sure the raised bed is prepared for winter by covering it with one-inch organic compost or leaf mould (use material from the compost pile you built) and three to five inches of dry leaves or straw. The compost and mulch will break down during the winter months, providing vital organic nutrients to the garden for the next season's crops. This will also improve the soil structure and make it more water-retentive and reduce the need for frequent irrigation.Easy to StoreWhether you're growing flowers or vegetables raised garden beds provide your plants the room they need to grow big and strong. This lets them establish a strong root system that will enable them to withstand 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 more painful than a back injury, so being able to work your garden without having to bend or kneel is an enormous benefit for most gardeners.Raised beds also prevent soil erosion. The heavy rains can wash away soil, leaving it deficient in nutrients and disrupting the microbe community. Raised beds decrease the likelihood that your amendments won't be removed or diluted.Raised garden beds can be built to almost any size. They can be as big as a traditional garden or as small as a window box. You can also build an elongated circular garden, commonly referred to as a keyhole garden. Keyhole gardens have 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.To maximize your production, you must have the full sun when you are growing vegetables in your raised garden . Vegetables require at least 8 hours and more sunlight during the summer. If you reside in a shaded region, don't worry, there are plenty of herbs and vegetables that thrive in partial sun like arugula, spearmint, parsley, and chives.The frame and the height of a raised bed act as a barrier against insects like slugs and snails. You can attract beneficial insects to your garden by planting marigolds or nasturtiums around your vegetable garden. This will also eliminate the pests. A border of colorful flowers will also add a touch of beauty to your meal and will give you the feeling that you've done something worthwhile.Easy to CleanGrowing vegetables and fruits in raised garden beds is a much easier than gardening on the ground. Raised beds are simple to keep clean and free of weeds. They require maintenance to ensure healthy soil and produce productive plants.It is essential to prepare the soil in your raised bed prior to you plant. Include organic material in the soil if it is heavy in clay or sand. This will improve drainage and increase fertility. Two parts topsoil to one compost is a great combination. If you don't have a compost bin you can purchase an organic compost bag or potting mix at your local home improvement store.As the season progresses, you can remove the weeds from your garden bed by using a hand hoe or a power weeder. Be careful when using herbicides so that you don't damage the roots of your vegetable or fruit plants. Herbicides are able to harm or cause death to your crops, therefore physically pulling weeds is a better option instead of spraying chemically.To stop future weeds growing, mulch your raised garden beds. This can be done with chopped leaves, hay or straw. You can also buy organic compost that is safe for food or wood chip mulch. The organic matter will decompose and add nutrients to the soil during the winter, preparing the raised garden for an abundant crop in the coming spring.It's also a good idea to install drip irrigation in your raised beds. This will allow you to conserve water and prevent overwatering which can lead fungal illnesses such as Septoria leaf spots. The ideal time to install drip irrigation is in the fall or early spring.As the season comes to an end it's a good idea to cover your garden with an organic mulch. This will help the soil retain moisture and nutrients throughout the winter, and will also help to deter the growth of weeds. A layer of straw or leaves is perfect however, you can also use a commercial hay or wood chips.