“9 Reasons Why Raised Beds Are The Best Way To Garden[1]” This was authored by Tome Mitrov of The Backyard Vegetable Garden (23 January 2020?). I will summarize each of the 9 first before I give you my piece of mind.
1. Good aeration
A raised bed provides plants with a rich growing media with a loose structure and allows for good air circulation around the roots… It helps maintain a balance between the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that play different roles in enhancing soil fertility.
2. Good drainage
The loose texture of the soil allows the water to seep into the bed, preventing quick runoff that will otherwise carry away the fertile topsoil.
3. Root spread
Plant roots will find it easier to grow and spread in every direction when the soil is loose.
4. Better weed control
You have the option of filling up the frames with compost and soil relatively free of weeds.
5. Build on existing turf.
A raised bed can be constructed right on top of the existing grass without digging it up… fill the frames with soil, grass clippings, cured farmyard manure, sand, and compost.
6. Better pest control
A few of (the insects) may be deterred by the solid frames surrounding the bed.
7. Extend the growing season
The raised bed will thaw much faster in spring than the frozen ground. So you can transplant vegetable seedlings earlier and give them a good head start.
8. It is easier than trying to amend existing soil.
You even have the option of filling up different beds with various types of soil to suit the plants you intend to grow in them.
9. Less risk of soil compaction.
If the width of the beds is kept at 3-4 feet, you can conduct gardening chores like fertilizing, weeding and harvesting without stepping on the bed.
Now it’s my turn to talk gardening.
Tropical or temperate, no, you don’t have to raise the garden bed. Your garden soil can have (1) good aeration, (2) good drainage, (3) good root spread, (4) better weed control, (5) the plot you have is good enough, (6) good pest control, (7) extended growing season; you don’t have to (8) amend and (9) compact the soil.
What do you do? Much less work!
Before you do anything on your intended garden plots, get a hand tractor with rotavator blades and run the machine over the area, being careful to cut only down to 2-3 inches of the topsoil. This will cut to pieces the soil along with the weeds, to create a layer of organic mulch all over the place. Rich, that’s the soil you want; soon enough, you will enjoy all those 9 benefits without laboriously raising the garden bed!
I’m speaking from experience.
Metro Manila: If any group will sponsor it, I can demonstrate the mulch technique within the Quezon Memorial Circle, a public place easy enough to drop by and watch the garden beds. frankahilario@gmail.com. Mine will be the pleasure!@517
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