If you’re planning to grow vegetables in raised beds, there are a few things you can do that will increase your chances of success.
First, plan your layout ahead of time. It’s easier to do that if you know the size of your garden area and the types of plants you want to grow.
1. Plan your layout ahead of time
Taking the time to plan your layout ahead of time can help you avoid the stress that often comes with having to start with a blank canvas. Also, it will ensure that you are building your raised bed in the best possible way – so that it lasts for years to come!
A well-designed raised bed is a sure fire way to save you a lot of headache and backache over time. A good raised bed will be deep enough to allow plants to root properly, while still being shallow enough that water can drain freely from the surface of the soil without accumulating under the bed and puddling.
The most important part of your raised bed is its soil – so it is vital to choose the right type for your needs. A good rule of thumb is to stick with sandy soil that can drain easily and quickly from the bottom of your raised bed.
2. Keep the soil well-drained
Raised beds need to have good drainage. Without this, the soil gets waterlogged, which causes root rot and fungal diseases.
One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of your raised bed soil is with a soil amendment. These amendments improve soil quality by either increasing nutrients or changing the physical structure of the soil, called tilth.
If you are using sandy soil, you may want to mix in greensand or compost to loosen the soil and make it more porous.
Another way to improve the drainage of your soil is by mulching around your plants with shredded leaves or straw. Mulch helps lock in moisture and distribute it evenly throughout your garden. It also adds organic matter to the soil and improves aeration, which makes the soil more productive.
3. Keep weeds at bay
Weeds are a common problem in north Texas gardens. They thrive in poor soil, have little water and can take over quickly.
Fortunately, there are several easy and effective ways to keep weeds at bay in raised beds.
One method is to use newspaper or cardboard to smother the weeds before they germinate. This technique works well when the soil is moist and can help you capture some lost ground in your garden.
4. Keep the soil moist
A raised bed should be able to hold enough moisture to keep plants healthy and growing. Check it by pushing your finger into the soil – it should feel lightly damp, like a sponge that has been wrung out.
If your soil dries out quickly, consider adding vermiculite or peat moss to the soil mix. These will add moisture retention, improve drainage and help to “fluff” the soil for good air circulation.
Compost is also an excellent addition to your raised beds because it can help to improve the moisture retention of the soil. It’s a rich source of nutrients and helps suppress weeds, too!
5. Make your beds attractive
If you want to create a pretty and inviting garden, it is important to make the beds attractive. This will not only increase the attractiveness of your raised bed, but it will also make it easier to maintain it.
The best way to do this is by incorporating plants into the layout. For example, you can grow a variety of flowers along the border of your raised beds to attract beneficial insects and increase your yields.
Another tip is to place tall growing crops, such as corn and squash, towards the back of your garden. This will allow other crops, such as beans and okra, to get more sunlight. Moreover, it will also prevent plants from overshadowing each other during harvest time.