Raised bed in the garden
What are the advantages of a raised bed?
Nutrients are constantly released through the different layers in the raised bed. This is because the core contains wood and other garden waste that only decomposes slowly. This provides your bed with new nutrients all year round, making the raised bed rich in nutrients and making fertilization unnecessary. The loose core also acts as drainage, preventing waterlogging. You can create fertile beds in this way, especially on areas with moderate soil quality. The layered plant material creates a loose crumb structure with a high nutrient and water retention capacity.
The right location
As you layer on new material, you can create a raised bed in almost any location. Even soil that is too sandy, loamy or clayey can be improved and upgraded for vegetable cultivation. It is best to orient your raised bed from north to south to get the sunniest bed possible. If you have a sloping garden, you should not lay the bed parallel to the slope so that the water can drain away evenly.
Design, shape and size
Think beforehand about where you want to place your raised bed and what shape it should have. There are no fixed rules for the shape and you can create wavy lines, rectangles, crescents or circles. You can decide for yourself how large you want your raised bed to be. However, remember that the slope of the mound should be around 45 degrees. This means that the raised bed should be twice as wide as it is high.
Create a raised bed: Instructions
- dig out turf, weeds and soil by 10-20 cm (pick up) 2. place larger branches/pieces of wood as a framework 3. place garden waste such as crop residues, hedge cuttings, leaves or straw on wood. Place weeds and turf with the roots facing upwards 4. Apply compost or manure as the next layer, optionally mix in rock flour and ash 5. Layer excavated soil and, if necessary, garden soil on top 6. As the top layer: mulch
Tips for a successful harvest in a raised bed
- Due to the drainage layer in the core of the raised bed, it can dry out quickly, especially in dry summers. You should therefore water it sufficiently. If you are struggling with mice and voles, you can combat them with garlic stock. Pour the decoction into the aisles, they don't like the smell at all. Alternatively, you can also plant garlic in the mixed crop or Jerusalem artichokes.
Planting a raised bed: Tips & ideas
Especially at the beginning, the nutrient content in the raised bed is quite high due to the rotting process. As a result, a lot of nitrate is released at the beginning, which is why you should avoid nitrate-enriching crops for the first three years. These include spinach, lettuce, radishes and radishes. It is better to choose high-yielding crops with shallow or medium-deep roots. Cabbage, pumpkin, melons or zucchinis, for example, are suitable for this.