Raised Bed

Gardening

Raised bed garden plants are

grown above ground level in a

structured bed. As an alterna-

tive to traditional in-ground

gardening, raised beds provide

unique opportunities for peo-

ple with limited space, physical

disabilities or contaminated

ground soil. While this type of

gardening can be more expen-

sive and require more work to

set up initially, the many bene-

fits make it worthwhile to

many gardeners.

Raised Bed Gardening

Flexibility—Raised bed gar-

dens can be customized to

your unique needs and prefer-

ences. They can be built in

almost any shape, size or local

on and with a variety of materi-

als.

Accessibility—Beds can be

built to any height, allowing

gardeners to work while sitting

or standing, providing more

comfortable gardening and a

great option for persons with

physical disabilities.

Safety—Raised beds provide a

barrier between your growing

space and contaminated soil. If

the safety of your soil is un-

known, soil tests can be done

but can be more costly than

building an above ground gar-

den.

Soil Control—Traditional gar-

dening typically allows for ex-

tra nutrients to be mixed into

the soil several inches deep. In

raised bed gardens soils are

custom mixed to ensure proper

nutrients and texture through-

out the entire bed. This also

allows beds to drain water

more efficiently, preventing

over watering

Efficient Productivity—

Compared to gardening in the

ground, raised bed gardens can

require less water and produce

higher yields. The absence of

pathways through the garden

bed reduces water use, allows

for dense planning, and elimi-

nates soil compaction issues.

The dense planning patterns,

means dense plant foliage as

well, reducing water evapora-

tion and keeping plant roots

cooler. Weeds and other pests

have a more difficult time

reaching raised bed gardens.

Beds warm faster than the

ground allowing soil to be

worked sooner.

Opportunities for Art—In

addition to making beds out of

a variety of materials in any

shape or size, they can also be

decorated, adding creativity to

gardening.

Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening

February 2010

Volume 10, Issue 1

Raised Bed Kits

Kits are available that

include materials and

instructions for building

a raised bed garden.

They can be ordered in

a variety of sizes and

styles. They can be

more expensive than

making your bed by

hand but can also be

easier to build and save

time.

Natural Yards

http://

naturalyards.com/

raisedbeds/

Raised Garden Beds

http://www.raised-

garden-beds.com/

PO Box 521033

Salt Lake City, UT

84152-1033

The information below is from:

Alternative Garden Club

Now that you know some of

the benefits and possible draw-

backs of raised bed gardening,

you’re ready to start your own.

This section provides a guide

to planning and building a gar-

den that will meet your unique

needs. Gardening of any kind

requires many considerations.

The following are some tips

for creating a successful raised

bed garden. Enjoy!

Location

The following suggestions and

considerations can be used to

determine the most ideal loca-

tion of your raised bed garden.

Don’t feel limited by a small

yard or no yard at all. Roofs,

concrete area’s, even decks are

all great locations for a garden.

• Sketch your site to imagine

possible locations

• Include pathway space for

walking and equipment (wheel

barrow, lawn mower, etc.)

• Create a list of plants you

want to grow and the amount

of sun they need

• Observe sun and shade pat-

terns on your site

• Think about north-south bed

orientations for maximum

sunlight exposure

• Look for areas that are level

and dry

Bed Design

The size of bed and materials

used to make it really depend

on your unique needs and pref-

erences. The options are as

endless as your imagination!

Functional beds can also be

very creative in design. The

following options are merely

suggestions; don’t be afraid to

experiment with size, shape or

materials.

Dimensions

Length - Keep in mind your

available space and room for

pathways around beds. If walk-

ing around a long bed may be

an issue, consider two smaller

beds.

Width - Determine by measur-

ing the length of your arm’s

reach. Calculate this by sitting

or standing at a table and

reaching toward the center

until you bend slightly (2 feet is

average), double this number

for the total bed width if you

plan to garden from all sides of

the bed.

Depth - Herbs and many flow-

ers need be 8 to 9 inches, vege-

tables, most fruits and shrubs

12 to 18 inches.

Height – Choose a height that

will make gardening comfort-

able for you. If you wish to

garden while sitting, estimate

bed height by sitting in a chair,

reaching your arm out and

measuring the heights you can

comfortably reach. The same

test can be done standing.

Planning a Raised Bed Garden Working with treated

lumber is not risk free.

The Environmental Pro-

tection Agency and the

manufacturers of

treated lumber advise

that treated wood

should be used only on

outdoor structures, that

a dust mask should be

worn when cutting it,

that scraps should not

be burned, and that

sawdust and chips

should not be added to

compost.

Although the risks of

using treated lumber to

build a raised bed are

low, there are plenty of

other materials avail-

able for building con-

tainers and raised

beds. Rot-resistant

woods such as redwood

and cedar make excel-

lent raised beds, but

are relatively expen-

sive. Synthetic lumber

made from recycled

plastic is also a good

choice and is available

in most places where

lumber is sold.

The following information will

prepare you to build your

raised bed garden. In addition

to the basic tools needed for

gardening, a variety of materi-

als can be used to build and fill

your bed.

Possible bed materials

Concrete blocks, Plastic lum-

ber. Metal siding, Scavenged

materials, Bricks, Old tires,

Glass, Wood, Stone Straw,

Hay.

Reinforcing your bed

Metal Stakes, Wood Stakes,

Metal Edging, Rope, Mortar

These are just a few options,

be creative and experiment

with different materials. On a

basic level, your bed just needs

to contain the soil, but they can

also add an aesthetic element.

Keep in mind some materials

are processed with chemicals

that could potentially leach into

your garden. Pressurized wood

such as railroad ties is one ex-

ample. If using wood, pay at-

tention to the rot resistance.

Cedar is one good option that

is more resistant to rot. If you

are planning to build with de-

gradable materials, straw is

typically preferable to hay be-

cause it contains less seeds and

thus less potential for weeds.

Plastic lumber is often used to

construct decks and sometimes

patio furniture, making it a

very sturdy option for a garden

bed.

The weight of your soil, expan-

sion and contraction with the

seasons, and the length and

height of the beds are all fac-

tors that can lead to the need

for reinforcement. If using

concrete blocks, bricks or

stone you can mortar for addi-

tional stability. Metal edging

can be wrapped around the

bed to reinforce. Stakes made

of metal or sturdy wood can be

placed around edges (about

half the stake should be under-

ground) or drilled directly

Raised Bed Materials and Tools

through the bed material into

the ground.

Basic Gardening and Building

Tools

Shovel, Garden Spade, Spading

Fork, Tape Measure, Rope,

Hose, Rake, String, Stakes

Soil and Mulch Options

Manure, Peat Moss, Small

Stones, Top Soil, Compost,

Ground Bark, Sawdust, Sand,

Straw

Tools like shovels and rakes

will help move and level soil.

Stakes, string, and tape meas-

ure can be used in the prelimi-

nary stages of building the bed

by creating the outline of a

geometrical shaped bed, a hose

or rope can be used to for a

curved design.

While there are a variety of

opinions on how to make the

perfect soil, a sandy loam soil is

considered the best for most

plants. Some people simply

alternate layers of compost and

soil until the bed is filled. Oth-

ers create 3 equal part mixtures

of organic matter (like peat

moss), compost and sawdust

or ground bark. Another com-

mon recipe calls for equal parts

of top soil, peat moss, and

sand.

Mulch materials can be straw,

bark or small stones to name a

few. Benefits of mulch include

moderating soil temperature,

reducing water evaporation

from soil, preventing erosion,

suppressing weeds and other

pests, while creating a haven

for beneficial organisms that

will help your garden. Some

people also use mulch to make

gardens more aesthetically

pleasing.

Before building the garden

bed, some people smother the

existing grass or weeds with

black plastic for weeks to en-

sure they are dead. Others do

this at the time of construction

as the first construction step.

The bottom of beds can also

be lined with cardboard and

newspaper for the same result.

Raised Bed Materials and Tools—continued

While many raised

beds are portable, in

some cases you’ll

want to build large,

permanent raised

beds. That’s why it’s

important to observe

your yard during a

full day and during

different seasons so

that you can make

note of areas of sun

and shade.

Steps:

1. Gather all materials

2. Create outline of your garden

• Use stakes, string and measuring tape for

geometrical shapes or a rope or hose for

curvy designs

3. Build bed and reinforce if necessary

• For ensured s oil drainage, beds can be

built on a slight (2%) incline or an initial

layer of small pebbles can be used.

4. Fill bed

• First layer should be a ground covering

(cardboard and newspapers or plastic)

• Insert soil according to your preference

(alternating materials or inserting one uni-

form mix)

5. Plant

• Plant in a zig-zag pattern to maximize

space

• Locate taller plants on the north side of

the bed

6. Add a final layer of mulch

Building a Raised Bed

Straw beds provide a novice

gardener the ability to plant a

raised bed garden with inex-

pensive materials and little

experience. With a straw bed

garden, bales of straw are used

as boundaries for the raised

garden bed. Though straw

bales are not intended to be

permanent garden structures,

they provide a great start or

addition to any gardening

space. Lasting only two sea-

sons, the materials to build

straw beds are far less expen-

sive then commonly used

wood frames, and can be com-

posted when they have ex-

pired.

Sustainable

There are numerous benefits to

using straw in a garden. Straw

is a natural byproduct of cereal

plants after the seed or grain is

removed. It is a sustainable,

natural resource providing a

gardener with the opportunity

to reuse a natural material that

can be grown and purchased

locally.

Soil Assistance

Straw can also be composted

easily and it can help remediate

contaminated soils. As the

straw decomposes into the soil

it starts to absorb some toxic

elements. Straw provides better

insulation than materials like

wood and metal.

Straw bed Gardening

"A well planned

garden bathed in

rain and sun.

A faithful laborer…

and the harvest

shall come."

...Nancy Simms

Taylor

The number of straw bales

needed for your garden de-

pends upon the size of the

garden. This list of materials is

based upon a garden that is 3.3

feet by 16.5 feet. For step by

step instructions and photos,

please see Len’s Garden Page,

a website about sustainable

gardening practices at: http://

www.lensgarden.com.au/

straw_bale_garden.html

Materials

• 30 bags of compost

• Cardboard and paper

• 17 bales of straw

• Seeds

• Peat Moss

• Top Soil

Steps:

1. Build the Straw bale Bed

• Place the bales according to

your design

• This particular design is seven

bales long and one bale wide.

2. Create a base layer

• Create layer out of newspaper

and cardboard.

• Some also layer food scraps

and pruning’s on top of the

cardboard.

3. Fill with alternating layers of

soil materials (compost, soil,

peat moss, etc) until the bed is

full.

4. Place straw over layered soil

as a mulch.

5. Plant seeds

• Create depressions in the

mulch to plant seeds in the

soil.

6. After much care and atten-

tion your garden will grow.

Building a Straw Bed Garden

http://aggie-horti culture.tamu.edu/extension/raisedbed/index.html

http://www.raisedbedgardeningtips.com

http://osuextra.okstate.edu/pdfs/F-6033web.pdf

http://www.gardening-advisor.com/Raised-Garden-Beds.html

http://earthandstraw.com/benefits-of-straw-bale-construction/

http://knol.google.com/k/thomas-andrews/straw-bale-gardening/wi0h3zln6mir/2#

http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/straw-bale-gardening.html

http://www.lensgarden.com.au/straw_bale_garden.html

Resources and Credits

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 de-

velop in soil held above water-logged or compacted

zones. This provides a more optimum soil environ-

ment for root growth. As beds are built up, compost

or other forms of organic matter may be incorpo-

rated, 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, permit-

ting planting to proceed between

rains.

Maintenance Because plants are grow-

ing above the level of walkways, less

stooping is required for weeding, wa-

tering 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.

Alternative Garden Club

2010 Officers and Calendar

President ................................................................. Bruce Spiegel ................................................................. (801)583-3867

President Elect (V.P.) ........................................... Dave Mash ...................................................................... (801)999-9999

Tour Director ........................................................ Available position ............................................................ (xxx)xxx-xxxx

Treasurer ................................................................ Dave Mash ...................................................................... (801)999-9999

Newsletter ............................................................. Don Roylance ................................................................. (801)484-6414

Website ................................................................... Lance VanBueran ........................................................... (801)363-3996

Float Coordinator ................................................. Available position ............................................................ (xxx)xxx-xxxx

Hospitality Coordinators ...................................... Carol Masich and Claire Biltz ....................................... (801)282-6569

Hospitality Coordinator ...................................... Mike Eardley ................................................................... (801)999-9999

Service Project Coordinators ............................... Carol Masich and Claire Biltz ....................................... (801)282-6569

Monthly meetings to be held at 7:30pm in the Sugarhouse Park Garden Center @ 1602 East 2100 South, some meetings may depart from building for field trip or service project.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 2010

3 – Monthly meeting – Doug Hughes – Conifers and

Dean Anesi – Pruning. Please bring branches and clippers to use to practice pruning.

Please remember monthly dues this month. $20 per person.

March 2010 3 – Monthly meeting – Dean Anesi – USU Vegetable Gardening

April 2010 7 – Potluck

May 2010 5 – Monthly meeting – Jim McCormack – Irrigation

Date? – Spring City Home Tour (date to be confirmed and more details later)

June 2010

2 – Monthly meeting – Russ Pack – Topic TBD

Date? – Pride Day (date to be confirmed)

Date? – Chicken Coop Tour (date to be confirmed and more details later)

July 2010 7 – Potluck and Tour at the Red Butte Garden

August 2010 4 – Monthly meeting – Wayne Padgett – Topic TBD

September 2010 1 – Monthly meeting – Geoff Ellis – City Forestry

6 – Labor Day Potluck – Site 24, City Creek Canyon (Brett and Don)

October 2010 6 – Potluck

November 2010 3 – Monthly meeting – Dean Anesi – Center pieces

December 2010

1 – Monthly meeting – Bruce Spiegel – Show and Tell

Date? – Christmas Open House Tour and Potluck (date to be confirmed and more de-tails later)

January 2011 5 – Elections