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Raised Garden Beds - Some Advantages

By: janet ashby


Gardening using a raised bed can be a lot easier than regular gardening and will also solve many of the problems which you may come across in a conventional garden. In a raised bed a frame is used to hold soil above the ground at a convenient height so this type of gardening is excellent for anyone in a wheelchair or who has problems kneeling down to cultivate a regular garden. You can easily raise all types of plants including flowers, herbs and vegetables. Drainage is much better in this type of garden and plants that like well drained soil will thrive.

Raised bed gardens are not difficult to make but if you are not good at carpentry you can buy raised garden kits that are very easy to put together and will last for many years. They are available in many different shapes and sizes so you can be sure to find one suitable for your garden. They also look very attractive and many are made from cedar which is guaranteed to last for many decades.

Some Advantages of a Raised Bed

1) Soil in a raised bed warms up more quickly than the soil in your garden in the early months of the year and will stay warm longer in the Fall. This gives you an extended growing season so you can sow or transplant seedlings earlier and give them a longer time to grow.

2) If you have poor soil in your garden which is lacking in nutrients or perhaps is very heavy clay then raised beds can solve your problem. You can provide good quality soil with all the proper nutrients so that your plants will grow much better.

3) If you have physical problems so that it is difficult to kneel down or gardening causes back problems then using a raised bed can make your life much easier. Placing a bed at a suitable height will prevent strain on your back and knees and allow you to work for longer periods. For people who need to use a wheelchair this type of gardening will allow them to enjoy raising flowers and vegetables which they cannot do with a conventional garden.

4) In a raised bed that has been properly prepared, drainage is much better than in a conventional garden and you will not have waterlogged soil that can damage your plants and lead to poor growth.

5) In a raised bed you can plant closer together which allows you to grow more plants in the same space and also helps to prevent the growth of weeds and to conserve water.

6) Soil does not become compacted from being walked on in this type of garden which allows oxygen and water to get through to the roots more easily allowing them to grow properly.

7) Although you can mix garden soil with soil bought from your garden center it is preferable to use 100% freshly prepared soil. This will ensure that there are no weed seeds or pests present in the soil which will give your garden and your plants a much better start and will cut down on weeding. If pests do invade your raised bed they are very easy to deal with in a small space or, in extreme cases, you can dispose of all the soil and refill with fresh, uncontaminated soil.

Conclusion

Raised gardens can solve many of your gardening problems, are very attractive to look at and will last for many years. Cedar raised garden kits are extremely popular as they are water resistant and very long-lasting. Whether you decide to build your own raised garden or use a raised garden kit you will find that you will enjoy your gardening more and will produce many more healthy vegetables and attractive flower beds.

Article Source: http://www.urarticles.com

For more information on gardening visit Raised Bed Gardens or see our range of Cedar Raised Garden Kits

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