Converting Garden Rows to Raised Beds

In retaliation to the past 3 years above average rain fall which raised havoc on our plants leaving us with stunted, rotten or no harvest at all, we have decided that it is time to start investing in raised beds. The raised beds will keep the roots from getting water logged and help keep the gardens tidy. The new beds will enable us to plant grassy in the pathways to help maintain moisture and the overall health of the soil "worms, insects, microbes, etc". The beds are 3' wide by 36' long with just enough room for the lawn mower to pass down the pathways. Each bed is design with 3, 12'x3' boxes which will be outfitted with a movable 12' cold frame to extend the growing season. Garlic and onions are going into one of these beds to winter over and the other is getting cold framed in the spring for early greens. We are aiming to add an additional 3 raised beds in the spring before we plant out, for now they will be resting under a green manure crop of winter rye.

"The Hemlock lumber was locally milled and harvested from manged wood lot less then 2 miles away."


Advantages of Raised Bed Gardening 

• Better drainage
  Growing plants in raised beds is a logical choice for gardeners with heavy, poorly drained soils. Raised beds permit plant roots to develop in soil held above water-logged or compacted zones. This provides a more optimum soil environment for root growth. As beds are built up, compost or other forms of organic matter may be incorporated, further improving soil structure, drainage and nutrient-holding capacity.
• Higher yields
  Better root growth from improved soils leads to higher yields for food crops and lusher growth of ornamental plantings. Also, intensive planting in raised beds means more plants can be grown in a smaller area than with conventional row-cropping techniques. No space is wasted between rows.
• Expanded growing season
  Better drainage speeds soil warming and allows earlier spring planting. In wet seasons, soil dries out faster, permitting planting to proceed between rains.
• Maintenance
  Because plants are growing above the level of walkways, less stooping is required for weeding, watering and other chores. Intensively planted raised beds provide dense foliage cover, shading out much weed growth.
• Using difficult sites
  Raised beds make gardening possible on sites where growing plants would otherwise be impossible. Rooftop gardens and raised beds on top of solid rock are examples. Terraced raised beds turn hillsides into productive growing areas while reducing soil erosion potential.

via: University of Missouri