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Raised Bed Gardening

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Raised beds are an easy alternative to a traditional garden plot. They offer many benefits, including:

  • Control over soil quality
  • Easy access 
  • Increased plant yields from better drainage and soil composition
  • More room to grow in smaller spaces
  • Less weeding


LOCATION
One of the major benefits of setting up a raised bed is the ability to grow vegetables in good soil, regardless of the soil composition in your current location. Keep in mind, most vegetables require at least 6-8 hours of full sun per day, so it's best to find a sunny location in your yard. Be sure to set your raised bed in an area with easy access to your water source or plan to install an irrigation system.

PREPARATION & SETUP
Begin by removing any sod and loosen up the soil to a depth of roughly 6" deep where the bed will be placed. Next, construct your bed and place in selected growing area.  Beds can be constructed using pressure treated or rot resistant lumber or can be easily installed using a kit.

SOIL MIX
Most raised beds require a mix of roughly 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% potting soil. Raised bed mixes are also available for purchase.

PLANTING
Once your bed is setup, it's time to plant! Raised beds can accommodate a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, onions, lettuce and other greens, and peppers.  When planting, consider each plant's growth habit and be sure to avoid overcrowding any plants.  This can potentially cause stress on the plants and lead to a less productive harvest.

MAINTENANCE
Raised beds allow for easy access and less kneeling during maintenance.  Consider growing disease resistant varieties of vegetables and installing an irrigation system to alleviate the need for additional work.

Questions? Ask us! Our garden center experts are happy to help you plan for the season.