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 (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.
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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. |
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"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. |
