RAISED GARDEN BEDS Maximum Yields in Minimum Space
Should we be concerned?
What is wrong with this picture?
AND THEN THERE WAS NONE…..
Vertical Gardening Advantages
Requires less space Easier to harvest Better air circulation to help prevent disease More difficult for some bugs to attack produce Improved soil conditions- less compaction Accessible for planting early in the Spring, no tilling Conserves water
Building Blocks- Raised Beds
Native material
Raised Vegetable Bed Considerations
Location- most of the garden needs full sun Layout- shapes and sizes Bed Size- must provide easy working access Soil Amendments Irrigation Pathway cover material
gravel Hardscape Bark
Raised Bed Construction
Compost-Rich Soil
Soil Recipe for Raised Beds
Raised beds need special soils to achieve peak performance. Compost Coconut Coir/Fiber instead of Peat Moss Vermiculite Soil OR buy ‘grow box mix’ soil from Miller
Raised Bed Soil Tests Central Utah Gardens
USU Ogden Botanic Garden
Irrigation Options
Vacation-proof garden box irrigation
Raised Bed Considerations
Minimum of 6” amended soil Vary heights for different crops Built in seating? Beds with 2 sided access can be up to 4 feet wide Beds with 1 sided access should be 2 feet wide Materials- not all wood is suitable!
Trex or plastic lumber Untreated cedar or redwood May use untreated pine etc. but lifespan will be shorter
Grounds for Coffee Community Garden Ogden, Utah- Low Beds
Mid-height Beds with Seating Ogden Botanic Center
Raised Beds with Seating Weber Basin Learning Garden, Layton Utah
Permanent or easy to move- Both provide the raised advantages
Multiple Bed Heights
Other Vertical Ideas
Right Plant, Right Place
Vertical structure is not sturdy enough to support a heavy Wisteria vine and is improperly installed.
Mini orchard, two ways
Pergolas + Trellis USU Ogden Botanic Center
Trellises
Old Ladder
Bamboo Trellis by Deidre Pope Old Baby Crib Trellis
By “From Scratch Club”
Peek-a-Boo Trellis
Horse Fencing
More Trellis Ideas
Design by Digginfood.com
Obelisks
Strawberry Tower By Shirley Bovshow
Season Extending
Light weight row cover
Hoop Houses w/ Plastic
Season extending “hot house” with cover. Small crops such as radishes and lettuce grow through most of the winter.
Design by Bark & Bloom
Hoop House with Shade Cloth
Lettuce with Shade Cover Design by giantveggiegardener.com
Hoop House with Floating Row Cover
Thin PVC Pipe Hoops/ with floating row cover
Rigid PVC Pipe ‘boxes’
For Those Really Cold Nights
Relax & Enjoy!
Above: Sunset Magazine Center: Fine Gardening