(ARA) - For most people, gardening is a relaxing, outdoor activity, as much anticipated as the coming of spring. But for those of us without the requisite 'green thumb,' the stress of tending to a garden and generating flourishing produce or flowers can be a daunting task. Still for others, the simple action of bending down for a long period of time deters them from enjoying their spring pastime.

Now, a different method of gardening, called raised-bed gardening, is increasing the enjoyment for gardeners everywhere, and making this sometimes strenuous activity productive and fun. Raised-bed gardens offer gardeners a number of advantages over conventional gardening.

Because you can easily supply your own soil mix, raised beds enable you to improve the quality of the soil where it naturally has a high clay content. The raised bed can also give you a head start on planting because its soil warms earlier than ground soil. You can work in wetter weather without getting your feet muddy or compacting the garden soil, and you can do less bending as you tend your plants and pick your vegetables.

A typical raised garden consists of long beds six inches to three feet high. The beds should be no broader than you can reach, but they can extend as far as your property lines allow. The path between beds can be as narrow as 12 inches or so. To prevent mud, you can top the path with gravel or build a preserved wood walkway. Preserved wood is an excellent material to use when building raised beds. Because of its long life and ability to resist termites and decay, pressure-treated wood is ideal for the garden.

"Some organic gardening publications have objected to the use of preserved wood in gardens because of the chemicals used to pressure-treat the wood," said Mel Pine, manager of communications for the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) in Fairfax, VA. "But research conducted by extension agents and academics in Texas found no cause for alarm."

Nevertheless, Pine added, gardeners who are concerned may line the wood with heavy-duty plastic. A plastic drop cloth normally used for painting might be one inexpensive source for the plastic liner.

Once the walls of the raised bed have been constructed, you can fill in the beds with soil and compost. Then you're set to plant.

With the efficiency of your raised-bed garden, it's likely that you'll have produce for yourself and your family, with plenty left over to share.