Why go to all the trouble of building a raised garden bed? There’s extra expense in the landscape blocks and more work to build it. But the benefits outweigh the extra work and expense. Raised garden beds allow for a longer growing season…
They warm up earlier in the spring than the surrounding ground, allowing for earlier planting and make it easier to protect your plants when there’s unexpected spring frost; hail, or early fall frost.
Some other advantages to raised beds:
There’s usually limited traffic in the beds, which means less soil compaction- As foliage grows together, the shade will suppress weed germination
- You’ll have higher yields and have less area to weed
- They give you better runoff and drainage; and allow the soil to warm faster in the spring
- These beds can be covered with plastic during spring rains, allowing for early planting even in rainy years
- Raised bed layouts can be shaded in the hot summer, protecting tender plants
- It’s much easier to cover with netting if you need to protect your harvest from birds and pests
- Raised beds can be ideal for persons with limited mobility to garden. You can sit and garden without having to stand and bend over as much.
- It’s easier to control weeds in a finite space.
Picking and harvesting is a little easier since you don’t have to bend over as much
Soil:
- Since this is a very defined work area, the gardener can concentrate on soil improvement methods; the additions of organic matter; and be quite specific for soil improvement in areas that have limited plant growth.
- The landscape blocks keep the good, rich soil from spreading out into the outside area
- Well-drained soil is much better for the plants. Soggy soils cause root rot and encourage pests
Everyone can get into the picture!