Creative and Frugal Raised Bed Gardening

 

Raised bed gardening offers an excellent alternative to traditional gardening methods for people who have poorly drained, heavy or poor quality soil. Growing plants in raised beds produces higher yields, enables you to expand the growing season and requires much less maintenance than traditional gardening plots demand. It is easier to weed, water, fertilize and harvest fruits and vegetables from raised beds than from other gardens. Although you can purchase raised bed kits, they can be cost prohibitive especially if you need more than one. Raised beds can be constructed from any number either no cost or low cost materials.

 

Cinder Block Raised Beds

Cinder blocks are easy to find and make excellent raised bed material when stacked two high. Fill the open end of the cinder block with potting soil for expanded growing space. Before installing the cinder blocks, create an outline for your bed and remove the top layer of sod within the outline. Position the cinder blocks around the outline. Stagger the second layer of blocks so that they overlap the joints. This will make the bed secure. You can also use a layer of thin set to attach the bricks for stability. Once the blocks are in place, fill the bed with high-quality organic soil, straw, peat moss and well-aged manure. For a whimsical effect, paint designs on the cinder blocks.

Tractor Tire Raised Beds

Tractor tires make excellent raised beds for some spaces. Visit gas stations and auto repair shops for tires, they will be happy to part with them no doubt. Tires of all sizes are great as long as you stay away from steel-belted radials. Once you have acquired some tires you will need to cut then sidewalls. Lay tires on top of several layers of newspaper and fill with organic mix and plenty of composted material. Tires can also be staked for added height. If you have a problem with moles you can set, the tires on a piece of mesh hardware cloth before filling with soil. This will also help with drainage.

 

Pallet Raised Beds

Shipping pallets make excellent raised beds for garden flowers or vegetables. Cover the sides and the bottom of the pallet with landscape cloth and add organic potting mix. You will have to push the potting mix down inside of the slats. Place plants close together for a lovely and creative raised bed display. You can stack the pallet for a deeper bed. Put a piece of glass on top of pallet raised beds to make your own mini hothouse. The pallets keep the planting sections neat and provide plenty of space for flowers and vegetables. Pallets are easy to find and are usually free or very cheap.

 

Raised Bed Gardening Tips

While almost any plant will grow well in a raised bed, it is important to pay attention to companion plants. A well-planned and planted raised bed garden will naturally repel pests and disease when the companion planting method is used. Do your research before you plant your raised bed to take advantage of plants that compliment each other. If you plant more than one raised bed consider installing a drip irrigation system to keep your plants well-hydrated.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a Master Gardener and a freelance writer who write on a number of horticultural and environmental topics. She recently completed an article discussing the benefits of Radius Maps.