subject: Raised Beds For Herb Gardening [print this page] Raised Beds For Herb Gardening Raised Beds For Herb Gardening
When I first got started growing herbs, flowers and vegetables in my garden, I didn't have a lot of money for supplies. I got some great books that told me exactly what to do to grow fabulous plants at home. Do you want to know the secret? Prepare great soil!
All kinds of plants require the finest base to do and live well. Their roots produce moisture, nutrients, and even air. The roots also provide sturdy support for plants so as to nurture their leaves, stalks and shoots.
Some of us, unfortunately, do not have the finest beds in our yards. Some soil has an excess of clay. It can be extremely damp throughout the winter, but it can be tough as concrete within the summer. Some soils are even sandy, which loses moisture really swiftly.
Raised bed gardens are a great choice for gardeners confronted with poor soil problem.
One of the most important advantages of a raised bed garden is for your plants to grow without hindrance. Plant roots will have the benefit of developing and nurturing in much nourished soil that can provide them the appropriate balance of moisture and air.
Here are some useful suggestions on how to make raised bed gardens.
Making a raised bed garden only requires some muscle and a few items. Frames for the raised bed can be made out of many materials such as cement blocks, hay bales and untreated woods. However, do not use railroad ties or other chemically treated lumbers for an edible garden as there is some controversy over whether the chemicals used to treat the wood can leach into your garden and into your vegetables.
Having your garden beds raised six to twelve inches over the usual soil layer, is an ideal goal, subject to the soil conditions you have for the bottom. Others even build their raised bed gardens over concrete pathways, should you have sufficient soil, and wish to do the same, go ahead, your plants would not mind a bit.
The final step in building raised beds for your herb garden or vegetable garden is filling the bed with soil. I recommend digging the layer of soil beneath your bed to loosen it and provide a hospitable environment for adventurous longer roots. This is especially important for perennial herbs and any other plants which may have an especially deep root system, like asparagus for example. Another important factor is enriching the soil with organic matter. If you have it, finished compost makes an excellent filler for your raised bed garden. Making your own compost is the cheapest option, but you can also buy compost, potting soil, and other excellent high quality soil mixes at the garden center.
Making raised beds is a great weekend garden project. Start with a small garden and soon you'll have a lovely, healthy patch of herbs with tasty leaves ripe for the picking.
