Julio Garden

Image via Wikipedia

Big John Lipscomb

We have been using a raised bed garden technique for twenty years and I am still surprised that only about 10% of all vegetable gardeners use the system.

Although there are several types of raised beds, such as natural- when you build up the bed without structured sides or using wood or rock to hold in the soil, either way, the raised bed garden system has advantages that cannot be matched. Let me share them with you.

Deep Soil

The greatest advantage is being able to have deep soil so the vegetable roots can grow straight down in their attempt to gather moisture and nutrition, rather than spreading outward. This enables you to also plant your vegetables closer together than in a traditional garden system.

Early Warming

With a raised bed garden, the sides are often 12” above the ground and the sunlight and warn temperature is able to heat the wood sides and warm the soil. This will enable your vegetables to germinate sooner.

Easy to Convert to Mini Greenhouse

In order to start early in the Spring, I like to arch fencing over my raised garden beds and then cover them with a 6 mil plastic sheet. This saves me a lot of money because I don’t have to build or buy an expensive greenhouse and it also saves me time because I do not have to transplant my plants!

Control Weeds

Since the garden bed is usually 4’ x 8’ and is 12” above the ground, it is a small area to weed. I am usually able to pick the weeds out in less than 1 minute per garden bed.

Amend Soil

With a compact area to work, it is easier to amend the soil from year to year. You can easily add compost and manure or just more soil to the raised bed because it is in a small area. Just use your wheel barrel to move your additive to the bed.

Harvest Vegetables

Since the raised bed garden is higher, it is much easier to reach the vegetables when you harvest. No bending over, just kneel next to your raised bed and reach across.

Always use heirloom vegetable seeds-http://survivalistseeds.com

Related articles

• 10 Garden Tips (juliogarden.com)
• Organic Garden Tips (juliogarden.com)
• Square foot gardens can be used by anyone, anywhere (bearathome.com)

Related posts:

1. Reasoning for a Raised Bed Garden
2. Organic Garden Tips
3. Building Raised Flower Beds
4. 10 Garden Tips
5. Flower Bed Ideas for Fragrant Atmosphere