As previously mentioned in the last article, there are three methods used in growing vegetables. They are traditional gardens, raised gardens and container gardens. Traditional gardens are located on the existing soil surface. The vegetable seed may be planted in a furrowed row, flat row or raised bed row. Vegetable transplants may be transplanted in the same manner. Notice, the gardener plants a seed, but transplants a germinated plant from a seed flat or small seed container.
A raised garden includes a boxed structure, 4 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet long, ranging from approximately 8 inches to 36 inches above normal ground grade. The soil is restrained by the boxed structure which is usually constructed with landscape timbers, crossties, cedar boards or seasoned treated 2”x 8” boards. If the gardener prefers, the inside of the treated 2”x 8” boards may be painted with a water based white latex paint.
A good amended soil should be placed up to the top of the restraining structure. Remember, settling will occur. The added amended soil should be in contact with the underneath existing yard soil. If empty plastic coke bottles or other materials such as stone are added in the bottom of the structure, this will interfere with the upward movement, capillary action, of water to resupply the roots with needed water during times of moisture stress. It is my opinion that when materials as mentioned above are added, we have a separation between the growing medium and the existing yard soil, we no longer have a raised garden, but a container garden. This is my opinion.
There are benefits with a raised garden when compared to traditional gardening. These benefits are based on my observations.
- Less insect problems
- Less disease problems
- Less weed problems, especially creeping weeds like wild Bermuda grass and others.
- Less back pain
- More visual inspection for insect and disease signs
- Soil warms earlier in Spring for early planting
- Can be built over undesirable soil conditions.
Next month, I will be writing about container gardening. This will be a very exciting topic. Be sure to read about the new Variable Level Container Garden.
Happy gardening to all.
-Professor Ron
