Raised Bed Gardening | A Solution for Bad Soil

Raised bed gardening is the perfect solution for areas with hard to work soil and poor drainage. There are many different ideas which can be implemented. You can even add your own creativity! Raised gardens can be many shapes, sizes, and numbers such as: you can have one large garden, two or three smaller ones or even a combination of large and small. However, keep in mind smaller gardens are much easier to care for.

Here a few Raised Bed Gardening Tips

For added style in your garden area, try shapes other than a traditional rectangular one. Hexagons and triangles are a couple of other simple shapes that will add interest to the garden. Use your imagination and have a little fun with it! Just keep in mind that the square shapes are easier to layout and build.

There are several choices of materials to use. You can get raised bed gardening ideas by walking around your local garden centers and home improvement stores. Choose something that will blend nicely with your home and the surrounding landscaping.

Wood is a common choice among raised bed gardener. It is readily available and easy to work with. Rail road ties make a very rustic look, while planed lumber appears more finished.

Pressure treated lumber will last longer than regular wood, but it is not the safest choice if you are going to be growing vegetables in the garden . For woods that will last longer than other varieties, try Redwood and Cedar. They are also a better choice for growing vegetable crops.

Stone can create many types of raised bed gardening ideas. It also lasts much longer than any of the varieties of wood, and can be found naturally. It can be used with or without mortar, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.

Concrete can be purchased in decorative shapes at the garden centers, for reasonable prices. This also can be used with or without mortar. If you like the idea of using recycled materials, you can pile up broken pieces of concrete for a very unique appearance.

Brick is an excellent choice for constructing a raised bed garden. It gives a very formal and finished look to the entire area. It lasts longer than all other choices, with little maintenance. The only set back is the amount of labor required to put it in. Mortar is necessary. It may be helpful to have a professional install it.

Another thing to consider with raised bed gardening ideas, is what type of plants to put in the garden. If its sole purpose is to be decorative, you may plan to use lush green foliage, flowering plants, and shrubs. Choose ones that do well in your climate. Take into consideration if the garden is in full sun, shade, or a combination.

Vegetables are a popular plant to grow in raised beds. They truly benefit from the good soil and perfect drainage. Most vegetables are well suited for this type of garden. Keep in mind the amount of space you have when picking out which varieties to plant.