by MaryO

Created on: July 13, 2008

Raised garden beds open a world of gardening opportunity. The advantages they provide are numerous. Raised beds make gardening possible in otherwise challenging situations. They also serve in providing the benefits and joy of gardening to populations who otherwise could not participate in traditional gardening.

In Urban areas raised and container gardens allow inner city residents to cultivate food, flowers and a variety of other plants. Here in San Francisco a great number of high rise buildings have rooftop gardens comprised of raised beds and planters. It is a wonderful way for city dwellers to experience gardening and its benefits. Raised beds are also advantageous as teaching gardens at schools where children learn fundamentals about plants, plant care, life cycles, care taking, and nutrition. It has also become a bit of a trend for restaurants that have patio or roof space to install raised beds where they grow, fresh herbs and produce that are used in thier faire.

Raised bed gardens, for those who have existing garden space. present a number of advantages. You have the option of choosing where you would like your garden! Raised bed can be built and terraced down hillsides, put along walkways, walls and areas that otherwise could not be used as garden space. They can be installed in areas with rocky, sandy or heavy clay soils and can be used as decorative borders or to divide an area or create a privacy screen.

Raised beds take up less space and are easier to manage and maintain. They are easier on the environment and your finances. They don't require much more than a saw and hammer to build. One will never have to till, move heavy rock, rake rocky soils, pull endless invasive weeds or need to regularly add nutrients.

Raised beds are more efficient in terms of planting and harvesting and they use far less water. Drip systems can be easily installed and are very effective in raised beds. Because plantings tend to be closer than in a traditional garden, the soil remains covered and shaded by the growing plants which also assists in conserving water.

With raised beds you decide exactly what goes into it soil wise. This too will conserve water and allow for a rich nutrient base eliminating the need for fertilizers. Using organic soils that you can make yourself will result in a healthy, productive, low water usage, abundant garden! A mushroom, humus mix with composted materials will give plants the oxygen and nutrients they need along with excellent moisture absorbotion

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