Although many people would like to have a space to grow their food in their own garden, many find poor soil (with rocks, clay or sand) that can frustrate their project.
Raised beds or terraces are designed exactly for these cases, since they are raised above the surface of the earth and filled with higher quality fertilizer, creating the right place for vegetables to grow more easily. In addition, they allow proper drainage, allowing water to be absorbed without soaking the crops.
How to do it and what the additional benefits are will be some of the issues that you can learn in this article to get the most out of your outdoor space and grow your food free of toxic substances.
Advantages of growing in a bed or raised bed
- You can easily fertilize the land.
- You can sow, weed and harvest easily.
- Allows better root development and facilitates drainage.
- The edging acts as a border to help keep weeds out.
- Makes maintenance easier.
- It favors a good position of the back.
- They are a source of nutrients that will improve over time.
- After a while it is not necessary to water so regularly.
Procedure for making a raised bed
1. First of all, choose a sunny place so that the vegetables you grow receive between 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. Also make sure to choose an area of your garden where the ground is as flat as possible, as it will be easier for you to build your raised bed there than on a slope.
2. Choose the material in which you will build your bed or raised bed. You can choose wood, stones, concrete blocks or steel. This will depend both on your skills (since, for example, in the case of steel you will have to weld), as well as on your budget and your own personal taste and style. Wood, for example, will provide an organic look, while steel will add an industrial style.
3. Now you must determine the dimensions that your raised bed will have. You will find it more practical and functional if you build them 4′ wide by whatever length you want, it can be 6′, 8′ or more.
The height should be evaluated according to your needs. For example, if you have mobility issues, a 32″ measurement may work well for you, as it will allow you to sit down to garden without bending over.
Once you have the material, you must join it forming a rectangle. For example, if you have chosen to use wood, you must use screws, and you can even cover it with a natural protector. You can also do it in another shape, such as a pyramid!
You can start with a layer of cardboard so that the grass does not encroach on the ground. Next, you’ll lay down decaying logs to add organic matter, and over them a layer of manure, dirt, fresh grass, or straw and sand, layered up high. You can also place eggshell, or a little ash to fertilize, and place a final layer of straw to help retain heat, water and, in turn, protect from direct sunlight.
care and advice
To maintain the bed, water it a little every day and wait at least a week to sow, either seedlings or seeds. Then, decrease the frequency of watering, since the bed will maintain moisture.
You will also need to maintain the height level of the land, as it will decrease over time.
Try, on the other hand, not to pull out the weeds, but cover them with the cover.
After a while you will have a rich, healthy land with a bountiful harvest!
Raised Bed Design Ideas For Growing
You can make your terrace the way you want, and plant food or the flowers and plants that you like the most on it.
Fill your garden with life!