Make a raised vegetable garden that’s easy for all members of the family to maintain with just a simple frame of rot-resistant wood and create an area for planting, digging, and weeding – and that will also protect it from furry nibblers!
Key to successful garden beds is creating spaces large enough to support deep-rooted vegetables like carrots and radishes; at least 12 inches should be above the soil surface.
Location
Raised vegetable gardens should be located close to a source of water. Vegetables need frequent irrigation, and carrying buckets across 20 feet is time-consuming and inconvenient. If there’s no nearby spigot already installed in your backyard where you plan on building raised beds, installing one would make tending them much simpler.
If you reside in an area prone to strong winds, make sure your garden will be safe from its effects. Heavy winds can damage plant roots such as tomatoes and peppers; try protecting them by placing barriers such as open fences, woven fences, trellises or semi-permeable barriers which filter rather than deflect windflow.
Vegetable gardens built on slopes may become vulnerable to waterlogging. To avoid this happening, place your garden where there is no incline, or at least raise the height of the bed. This step is especially critical if you intend to plant root vegetables such as carrots and beets which require deep well-draining soil.
Consider also the type of soil in your area when making decisions regarding amendments. If it has a high clay content or is extremely sandy, amending will enhance its ability to retain water better – for instance adding organic matter or slow-release fertilizers may help sandy soil retain more whereas clay-heavy soil could benefit from adding coarse grit as drainage agents to ensure better drainage.
Vegetables require well-draining soil that’s rich in nutrients and has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growing conditions. Before beginning their garden project, test the soil first in order to assess whether any amendments need to be made.
Raised vegetable gardens can be the ideal solution if the soil in your native garden is poor, compacted or rocky, as they eliminate bending over to pull weeds or harvest vegetables, which may lead to back pain. Furthermore, raised beds tend to encourage slower weed growth so fewer spraying sessions with herbicides may be needed over time. An enclosed raised garden provides additional protection from wildlife that might make an attempt at eating up your crop!
Soil
Raised garden beds tend to warm more quickly and dry faster than surrounding ground, extending your planting season for cool-season crops like carrots. Furthermore, using high quality soil in your raised vegetable garden makes gardening much simpler while helping reduce weeds significantly.
Add compost to your raised bed soil mix and you will unleash an army of beneficial microbes and improve nutrient availability, creating healthier organically rich soil that supports plant growth. A vibrant soil food web consists of billions of organisms such as earthworms and larger creatures all working together to make available nutrients for plant nutrition.
If the soil in your raised vegetable garden is heavy, adding wood chips or shredded leaves as mulch will lighten its weight and promote airflow. To further ensure drainage in these wet locations, place a barrier under any wood/leaf mulch to avoid waterlogging issues.
Most raised vegetable gardens should be six inches in height; this height works best as most feeder roots reside within this first layer of soil. If your soil contains heavy clay deposits, raising beds higher may assist with drainage.
Some crops such as squash, pumpkins and watermelons require deep root systems that extend 24 to 36 inches into the soil – this necessitates building your raised bed with higher sides to accommodate their deep-rooted systems.
When creating a raised vegetable garden, be sure to add plenty of compost or shredded leaves as an organic fertilizer. Aim for an ideal ratio of three parts soil to one part compost or leaf mold; if planting multiple varieties at once in raised beds, create an adaptable soil mix suitable for all. Add any new additions as necessary – pre-mixing is best as it helps eliminate pockets of different ingredients!
Sunlight
Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which in turn fosters plant growth, fruit development and nutrient absorption. Therefore, issues related to sunlight can significantly impede the health and productivity of a vegetable garden. Assessing site sunlight conditions by positioning garden beds appropriately, using reflective surfaces for reflection purposes and making adjustments at regular intervals will help create the optimal environment for an abundant harvest.
Before nailing down the corners of your raised bed, take time to observe its location for several days to assess how much sun it receives. Pay particular attention during morning and noon when the sun’s position varies; does it illuminate or shade this space? Likewise, are there any obstructions like trees, buildings, or fences which cast shade during these hours of the day?
Once you select a location for your raised vegetable garden, ensure it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily – more is preferable – otherwise consider moving or selecting crops that grow well under reduced light levels.
If you plan on starting from seed, it can be beneficial to check local garden centers or farmstands for already started plants that can be transplanted more quickly – this may shorten harvest times by up to one month in regions with limited growing seasons.
An important consideration when planting any vegetable garden is understanding its root requirements. Most heat-loving crops, such as tomatoes, peppers and squash, require roots that penetrate 24 to 36 inches deep for water and nutrients – this means shallow soil won’t support their proper development. Conversely, root vegetables like radishes and carrots thrive when growing in loose, partially sandy soil that’s easily accessible via raised garden sides.
As you plan your raised vegetable garden layout, keep in mind that raised beds don’t require as much spacing between rows than traditional plots do, making it easier to follow recommendations found in Extension Fact Sheets or seed packets for spacing recommendations.
Water
Maintaining an efficient raised vegetable garden requires sufficient irrigation, especially during hot and dry summer days. Moisturized beds allow plant roots to explore deeper into the earth instead of remaining at surface level where they become scorched by heat and can even burn.
No matter if it’s from a regular garden hose strung from your house to your bed or from an automated drip irrigation system, watering consistently on a schedule is the best way to provide fresh vegetables and herbs with water. Doing this prevents having to water constantly which could deprive plants of essential nutrients as well as keep weeds under control.
Focus your watering can or hose at the base of each vegetable and herb plant, as this is where moisture needs to penetrate into the soil and reach its roots. Avoid spraying leaves as this could scald them, leading to additional loss through evaporation.
Watering with tap water could contain chemicals that damage vegetable plants. Instead, collect rainwater from your roof or gutter and store it in a barrel to use in watering your garden – this not only saves money but nature provides plenty of minerals that help your vegetables to flourish strong and healthy!
Consider adding flowers to your garden as they can both add beauty and attract pollinators insects. Perhaps consider planting bright nasturtium or marigold blooms around vegetables that attract beneficial bugs while discouraging harmful ones from entering them.
If you prefer eating your veggies right out of the garden, situate the beds close to your house so you can easily walk out daily and harvest whatever is needed. In addition, having them close will allow for easier monitoring of crop health and taking action against signs of disease or insect infestation. Considering lining them with landscape fabric or weed barrier may prevent grass and weeds from infiltrating from below while still permitting water through.