How Do I Create A Raised Garden?
First-time gardeners expect to learn through trial and error. If you’ve struggled with planting in your own lawn, perhaps the solution would come from “higher ground.”
Do you want to create a raised garden but aren’t sure how to get the project off the ground? Do-it-yourself gardeners often have many questions regarding the best way forward. What are the benefits that you get from a raised garden? How do you start one? How much effort does it take to maintain one?
Professional lawn care providers can advise you about how to maintain the best gardens on your lawn. So, even though much of the project can be DIY, you aren’t alone or without resources. LawnCare.net can provide you with access to a local network of experts and professionals who can help you with any growing project that you want in your yard.
The Benefits of Raised Garden Beds
By using raised garden beds, DIY gardeners are able to see their plants up close and personal while also encouraging their crops to develop deep roots. Raised beds can also help you control the soil surrounding your plants much better. Most issues caused by problems with the local ground – such as red clay or other difficult dirt – are thwarted in a garden bed with a mound of soil.
Additionally, having the beds at eye-level will help you combat fungal disease or pest issues faster. Additionally, it’s easier to work and tend the soil without affecting the plants in a raised garden structure.
Also, a raised garden bed creates a different aesthetic look for your yard. It appears manicured, intentional, and polished.
Planning Your Raised Garden
To assure the most success for your new raised garden, the first step is to select the right location. You don’t need to have a large amount of space to build a raised a raised bed garden, but you do need a spot that’s relatively flat and receives at least six hours of sun per day. Edible plants require lots of sun to bear fruit, so your best shot is the sunniest spot of your yard.
If necessary, you may need to prune back some trees and shrubs to give your raised garden its best chance.
To assure you have level ground, use a shovel to remove any ground that prevents the bed frame from sitting level. The soil around the area shouldn’t be a concern, as you will be adding your own quality soil.
Upon laying the bed, first line the bottom of it with landscape fabric to protect against pests. Some options include builder’s paper or weed block. This barrier will also protect your bed from weeds and grass from your yard growing up through the raised bed. Its porous nature will allow water to pass through, though.
Choosing the Right Soil
To assure that you have the best soil and fertilization for your region, you can always consult a lawn care or gardening expert. In most cases, if you care to keep it a DIY project, a good combination is 60 percent topsoil, 30 percent compost and a potting mix for the remaining 10 percent. But consider the needs of the plants you intend to grow when making adjustments to this recipe.
Add enough soil to fill the bed and determine the area of the bed by multiplying its length, width and depth – as you learned in geometry class.
Planting and Seeding
Whether you’re growing an edible garden or a flower display, your raised garden’s plants and seeds should be planted far enough apart to give them all room to grow. When arranging them, make sure that plants which grow taller will not block sunlight for other plants. As they grow, you might need to use stakes, props, and tomato cages to support and guide them.
Also, remember to water the plants regularly so that they receive the right amount. Once they’ve sprouted and are established, they will need an inch of water a week, approximately.
Protect them from pests with netting and keep a watchful eye.
If issues arise with your raised garden or you want input from a professional about how to do this all right, use LawnCare.net to contact our network of experts. Local gardeners and lawn care specialists will be able to guide your garden in the right direction.