How to Use a Raised Garden Bed in a Limited Space

Growing a garden is challenging with small outdoor space. Garden beds and planter boxes can help turn a small area into a productive growing space with easy accessibility. Using above ground planters when you have limited outdoor space is a practical solution for anyone wanting to grow their own plants or produce. Fortunately, using a garden bed makes gardening in smaller spaces possible. However, it helps to know a few tips on how to make the most of your small space when using a raised garden bed to ensure favorable results.

Choose a Favorable Spot for Planting

Garden beds are available in different sizes while making it physically easier for you to tend to your plants above ground. While assessing options for the best raised garden beds available, the height and length of the bed you choose depends on what space you have available in your yard. You can choose any spot you want to place your garden bed with a few things to keep in mind. Consider how much sunlight the space receives gets during the day. For tender plants, areas with less wind and easy access to water are ideal. Avoid placing your bed near areas that collect standing water to avoid overwatering of plants or sogginess.

Upon choosing a spot for your bed, think about its height. It may be easier to tend to the soil without physical discomfort and the height may benefit the soil’s volume. Good volume encourages healthy plants that grow faster. Choosing the right length depends on what you’re most comfortable with as you work in your box. Most common bed lengths are four or five feet in length for easy manageability.

Consider Types of Planters and Their Material

Some of the best raised garden beds are made with rot-resistant materials. It is common for gardeners to make a garden bed from scratch using materials such as landscaping timbers or concrete blocks. You can also purchase garden bed kits online that are easy to put together with many options including size, color, and material. Choosing the right bed or planter depends on where you plan to use it and what you want to plant in it. You’ll also want to consider the appearance of the space and if you want the planter to blend or accent the space.

Assess Soil Needs Including How to Dig, Soil Mixing, Compost, and Mulch

Depending on what you’re planting you may need to consider plant roots. Some plants need more than six inches in theof soil as they grow, such as lettuce. Others may need more than a foot into the soil such as cucumbers. The kind of soil used is essential. It is common to mix the soil using one-part compost with two-parts top soil. You can also use soil designed for commercial potting that’s best for vegetable and fruit growing. To help keep the soil moist and to prevent weeds, consider laying an even two-inch layer of mulch across the top.

Make Sure the Roots Receive Get’s Enough Water and Fertilizer

Depending on what you choose to plant, you’ll need to consider how often to water your plants and ensure they get enough water without being overwatered. Some plants could be at risk of a fungal disease if there’s too much moisture or the leaves are wet too often. An option to help control the amount of water given to your plants is a drip irrigation system that helps get water where it needs to be in the planter. To ensure plants absorb the nutrients in the soil, use a quality fertilizer that’s designed for use with the veggies or plants in your planter.

Additional Tips for Using Above– Ground Planters If you plant to use your ground planter for planting multiple types of veggies, consider planting them from shortest to tallest. Arranging them by height can make harvesting easier. At the end of the season start planning for next year and how to maintain your planter during the winter season. Winterizing your planter will make it easier in the spring to start planting again with minimal prep.