by Karen Ellis

Created on: July 02, 2008   Last Updated: February 20, 2009

The creation of "raised garden beds" have opened a multitude of possibilities that didn't exist with traditional gardening. For the passionate gardener, it saves strain on the back from having to bend to ground level. With the ability of sitting while seeding and weeding, even the handicapped or elderly can garden with ease. Those with small spaces can create a raised bed of any size. A couple of thin rows of raised beds can even be placed on an apartment balcony to grow tomatoes and green peppers. Raised garden beds have revolutionized gardening and made it accessible to anyone with a passion for growing vegetables or flowers.

Advantages

Convenience: A gardener can set up rows of raised beds at what ever height he likes. Or, a new gardener can start with a mere 2'X4' frame, planting flowers or just one or two different vegetables. Small themed gardens can be created, such as a salad garden, an herb garden, a tea garden, or a roof top garden. The variety is limited only by the gardener's imagination.

Soil: You have complete control over the soil in your raised beds and therefore can customize the optimum mixture. And the soil mixture can change from bed to bed depending on the plants needs. Soil compaction is no longer a problem as with raised bed gardening the roots of the plants will have plenty of air and the water will drain more freely. These are two huge advantages that will keep your plants healthier than in flat ground growing. In locations where top soil is thin or the ground is very hard, full of clay or too sandy, the raised bed garden is a perfect option because these things can be controlled.

Productivity: In a raised bed, plants/seeds can be planted a bit closer than ordinary gardens. Therefore, the produce harvested will be greater per square foot than ground planting. A recent study showed that raised beds produced 1.4 to 2 times as many flowers and vegetables than ordinary gardening. Also, the growing season can be lengthened because the soil stays warmer for a longer period of time. Also, because everything is condensed plastic sheeting may be used easier to ward off frost or to start seedlings.

Maintenance: Although it seems, no garden is ever weed free, raised beds cut down on any encroaching unwanted plants with the separation of the frame. There is less insect infestation because your plants are off the ground. And there is less worry about people stepping (including yourself) on the plants. If you think about it, you would actually have to

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