Raised Bed Gardening
As the
snow melts, and the Redbuds start to bloom, many people get a full on
case of Spring Fever. As the ground temperature begins to warm up,
raised bed gardening allows for a quicker way to curb the need to see
green.
Whether
it’s cleaning up from last year or creating a new design from scratch,
several key factors should be considered when planning for a raised bed
garden. Eradicate existing vegetation, and turn the ground every time
before planting. Add high quality organic matter every time you turn
the turn the ground. Do not use landscape fabric under raised beds, as
this limits root growth and prevents the added soil from blending with
the existing soil.
For new
raised beds, Soil Mender’s Raised Bed Mix is an excellent choice. This
unique blend provides a choice mix of topsoil, cotton burr compost,
humate, coir and several other all-natural and organic ingredients.
When used with a natural fertilizer such as Yum Yum Mix or a
traditional fertilizer like Fertilome’s Gardener’s Special, everything
necessary for a healthy and vibrant garden will be available to the
first planting of the new garden.
When
preparing an established garden for a new season, Soil Mender’s Garden
Soil Builder helps replenish nutrients with vital organic and biological
material. This also has a naturally occurring and measurable amount
of fertilizer, and alfalfa meal containing Triacontanol. These both
contribute to bigger and better plants.
Finally,
add high quality compost after every crop, not just every season.
Minerals and nutrients used during each crop need to be replenished in
order to ensure that they are present each and every time a new planting
takes place. Some people choose to plant cover crops such as rye,
turnips, buckwheat or peas and oats. Whatever the choice, the health of
the soil directly contributes to the health of the plants.
