Raised bed possibilities R
aised beds add another dimension to the garden literally, going from ground level to higher ground. Aside from the aesthetic pleasure this provides, it gives the gardener’s knees some ease, possibly getting you up off the ground for weeding. And it enables beds to dry out and warm up faster in the springtime, which means you can plant earlier. A raised bed can also give you an area with different soil, such as a lower pH to grow acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas in, or a higher pH to grow tomatillos and artichokes. (Of course, this depends on your soil’s natural pH, which is different across the country. Test it with a kit from the garden centre.) And it can give you an area to garden in if you live on rock or sand, or if your garden is on a terrace, balcony or roof. (If it’s a terrace, balcony or roof, please consult an engineer for how much weight the structure can take; gardening gets heavy.) Whether you’re handy with a hammer, strong for moving rocks, or looking for something premade, here are some solutions to inspire you. Y
You can buy metal corners at hardware stores.
These gardeners built a series of raised beds in a corner of their yard for ease of tending vegetables. 60 • 2021
This Danish garden is all raised beds. The rocks help keep the borders separate from the grass paths. Issue 2
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