Raised beds and drainage

One of the benefits of utilizing raised beds in your garden is that they allow for proper drainage in areas that do not have good natural soil percolation rates. Take the following into account when you build and place your beds:

Be sure water can pass through the bottom of the bed-- This is usually accomplished by having a box with an open bottom. If you must build a base for the box (if it's going to be placed on a concrete patio for example) you should be sure to either drill holes in it or leave 1/4" gaps between your boards in order to allow for water to drain underneath. Sometimes it is necessary to elevate the beds so there is a small space underneath for the passage of water. If you don't want water to flow out onto the ground then you'll have to install a drainage system in the bottom of the box, which can be complicated.

Use soil that will drain properly-- If you are amending your own soil, be sure to create a mix that will absorb water but still let the excess pass through. If you have a lot of clay in your soil, mix it with some sand, perlite, rice hulls, or another inert amendment to lighten it up.

Keep the area around beds dry-- Place gravel, mulch, wood chips, or pavers around your raised beds so that you don't end up with a muddy mess to stand in while tending the garden. Mulch is great for areas surrounding gardens as it is cheap, easy to transport and install, keeps your boots relatively dry, and blocks weeds to a certain extent.

5 Reasons why raised redwood beds will improve your garden

Custom built redwood beds in a bird-proof enclosure. A beautiful addition to any yard.

The use of raised beds is an excellent way to create a garden that thrives just about anywhere, and is growing in popularity as we strive to maximize the quality and yield of our vegetables and flowers, often in rather tight spaces. Raised beds are superior to traditional in-ground ones for the following reasons.

1.) Less back pain. Anyone who has spent countless hours bent over in the garden pulling weeds has probably experienced a sore back. Raised beds are elevated so that they are easier to reach and work on without putting unnecessary strain on your body.

2.) Improved drainage-- In areas where the soil has a slower percolation rate raised beds are often the only reliable way to garden. Healthy root systems need to dry out from time to time and if they are constantly waterlogged your plants will not do well.

3.) Raised beds warm up faster in the spring-- For those in cooler climates, plants will get a jump start in the morning over those in the ground.

4.) Pest control-- Using raised beds lined with gopher wire will eliminate the headache caused by gophers killing off your prized plants by denying access to them. Also, it is easier to control insect populations in the confined environment that they provide so there are less issues with pests such as aphids and spider mites.

5.) Appearance-- Raised beds built from redwood will add natural beauty to your yard and can be very pleasing to the eye. Since they can be built in just about any style you can dream up and construct the perfect addition to your yard or patio.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to come up with a design.