Raised bed gardening|thumb|260px

Raised-bed gardening is a form of gardening in which the soil is raised above ground level and usually enclosed in some way. Raised bed structures can be made of wood, rock, concrete or other materials, and can be of any size or shape. The soil is usually enriched with compost.

Vegetables are grown in geometric patterns, much closer together than in conventional row gardening. Often the center has a chimney of sorts built with sticks and then lined with feedbags or grasses that allows water placed at the center to flow out into the soil and reach the plants' roots.

A self watering raised bed known as a wicking bed is particularly beneficial in dry climates and are often made by converting Intermediate bulk container (IBC's).

Materials and construction

Lumber is the most common construction material for making raised beds.), it is recommended to use a plastic liner between the wood and soil if the raised bed is intended for growing edibles.

Another material commonly used are railroad ties, also known as sleepers, joined with steel rods to hold them together. Another approach is to use concrete blocks, although less aesthetically pleasing, they are inexpensive to obtain and easy to use.

On the market are also prefab raised garden bed solutions which are made from long lasting polyethylene that is UV stabilized and food grade so it will not leach undesirable chemicals into the soil or deteriorate in the elements. A double skinned wall provides an air pocket of insulation that minimizes the temperature fluctuations and drying out of the soil in the garden bed. Sometimes raised bed gardens are covered with clear plastic to protect the crops from wind and strong rains. Waist-high raised beds enable the elderly and physically disabled to grow vegetables without having to bend over to tend them.

The term sunken garden usually refers to a formal traditional English garden where the garden is lower than the surrounding land, and may have multiple terraces around it and steps leading down to the garden.

See also

  • Keyhole garden
  • Kitchen garden
  • Square foot gardening
  • Therapeutic garden
  • Herb spiral
  • Waru WaruA traditional Quechua, pre-Inca system involving raised beds
  • HügelkulturAnother type of raised bed

References

Bibliography

  • The Synergistic Garden—A video by Emilia Hazelip, which provides practical information on how to garden with raised beds.
  • Appeal: Keyhole gardening saves lives in world's most eroded land