Q. My husband and I appreciate your input in guiding us
to our next planting season. I know it might be a little too late but I am open
for ideas to continue our gardening on a raised bed. This summer we had a great
time growing Kale, red and green chard and jalapeno peppers and basil.
to our next planting season. I know it might be a little too late but I am open
for ideas to continue our gardening on a raised bed. This summer we had a great
time growing Kale, red and green chard and jalapeno peppers and basil.
Any suggestions
will be greatly appreciated.
will be greatly appreciated.
A. I will give you my version of raised beds, the kind we
built at the University Orchard for growing vegetable crops. I wrote some
instructions for building these types of raised beds for Viragrow, Inc. as a
consultant. I attached to these instructions so that you could follow them.
built at the University Orchard for growing vegetable crops. I wrote some
instructions for building these types of raised beds for Viragrow, Inc. as a
consultant. I attached to these instructions so that you could follow them.
 |
| Raised bed made without sidewalls |
The
first part tells you what to plant in the fall and winter months and whether
you can start them from seed (s) or transplants (T). The second part tells you
how to construct raised beds without building sidewalls but just using the
natural slope of the soil to retain their raised shape.
first part tells you what to plant in the fall and winter months and whether
you can start them from seed (s) or transplants (T). The second part tells you
how to construct raised beds without building sidewalls but just using the
natural slope of the soil to retain their raised shape.
 |
| Raised bed made from wood |
Some people like to
build sidewalls from wood, brick or cement block to surround these raised beds.
This is entirely up to you. But once you have constructed raised beds you
should not be walking in them unless you are preparing the soil.
build sidewalls from wood, brick or cement block to surround these raised beds.
This is entirely up to you. But once you have constructed raised beds you
should not be walking in them unless you are preparing the soil.
Raised beds
should be wide enough so that you can access the entire bad by using either
side. Walkways are 18 to 24 inches wide between them and this is where traffic
should be kept. Walking on these beds transfers weed seeds, diseases and
compacts the soil making the soil more difficult to grow vegetables. I hope
this helps.
should be wide enough so that you can access the entire bad by using either
side. Walkways are 18 to 24 inches wide between them and this is where traffic
should be kept. Walking on these beds transfers weed seeds, diseases and
compacts the soil making the soil more difficult to grow vegetables. I hope
this helps.
