Spring Is Here! Gardening With A Raised Bed

I am so excited it's Spring! I love looking forward to gardening! Thanks to my momma and my grandma, I have learned a few things about it, but I still have a ways to go! So, in preparing for this post, I did do some research.

This is my garden from last year.... Im not bragging, Im just SHOWING you a raised bed!

First you want to start with either a raised bed or just right there on the ground, you pick. I personally prefer a raised bed, and here is why:

1. They produce more square feet than an ordinary bed.

2. They are perfect for backyard vegetable gardens.

3. They tend to warm up a little sooner in the spring.

4. They remain productive later in the fall.

5. Plants can be placed closer together because you don't need the walking space.

6. Soil conditions can be controlled more efficiently and can be varied from bed to bed. Perfect for thin topsoil.

7. They tend to drain away excess moisture, which helps the plant roots to breathe.

To make a raised bed is not too difficult. My husband just bought railroad ties, and made a box in my backyard. The railroad ties are sturdy, but in doing my research, I found cedar is the best. Cedar wood is naturally resistant to rot and insects. There are no nasty chemicals from treated woods or railroad ties-oops! Low cost, high value and cedar wood is light and strong.

The next step is your soil. Since I don't know what kind of soil you have, depending on where you live here are a couple musts for wherever you are. (Then check out the gardening website- http://gardening.about.com/od/soil/a/GardenSoil.htm on what is best for your garden.)

1. Tilling your soil is a must. (You can rent tillers just about anywhere.)This helps break up the soil and get air into it. For those of you who want to know how to till, here goes...

* Start at one end of the garden with your tiller. Go across the soil one row at a time. You will only be tilling each row one time. Excessive tilling can break down the soil and make it compact. I till before I garden and in the fall after I have pulled everything out.

2. Mulch. You can find "nutrimulch" at any home and garden store. This helps the soil maintain good structure, keeps soil temperatures cooler and an environmentally friendly way of achieving weed control.

Seeds, seeds, seeds. I like to do everything from seeds except for peppers and tomatoes (obviously). It is cheaper and I like that my little girl can watch them from a seedling. I like Burpee the best. Check out their website. You can also get raised garden kits from them.

(If you don't want to make your own)

For those of you gardening in more arid climates check these books out:

Month- by- Month Gardening in the Desert Southwest by Mary Irish

Desert Gardeningby George Brookbank

Happy Gardening!

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