Page 22 - Robeson Living Spring 2021

Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening

By Mack Johnson,
Extension Horticultural Agent

Spring has finally arrived, and warmer temperatures are luring the sunlight to begin on the east and end on the west side, pro-
us outside. I imagine you have experienced the havoc COVID viding even distribution over the bed. This orientation allows
has played on our food supply over the last year. All of this taller plantings, like corn, placed in the northern end of the bed
presents the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy the benefits to reduce casting shadow on the adjacent plants.
of raised bed gardening. Not only will you reap the rewards of
fresh food but you can also benefit from “gardening” exercise One aspect of a raised bed is you do not actually step into the
and the proven scientific fact that gardening can be therapeutic bed; this helps so you won’t introduce anything unwanted in
for your mental state. Raised bed gardening is a perfect option the bed. You also do not want to compact the soil. When you
for you if you don’t have suitable native soils or may be limited construct a bed, four feet wide is the recommended width, en-
on space. abling you to reach the middle from either side. The length
may be decided by your situation but remember, you will need
Site selection is important when deciding where to place a to walk around it instead of through it, so eight, ten, or twelve
raised bed or container garden. Most plants, especially warm- feet may be long enough.
season crops, need eight or more hours of direct sunlight, so
this requirement is essential in reaping an abundant crop. Of Options for the bed construction are almost as endless as your
course, our cool season crops - most being leafy greens such imagination. The most commonly used material is wood. Natu-
as mustard, kale, collards, and turnips - are able to sufficiently rally rot-resistant wood like cypress and juniper are excellent
produce in more shade. What about a water source? Would we choices, but cost may be a concern. Unfortunately, these may
water appropriately if it is not convenient? Most vegetables not be sourced locally, but a specialty lumber store may re-
need at least one inch of water a week. Siting the bed close to tail both of these. Treated lumber can be also an option. Most
a water bib or outside spigot will help us to water consistently. chemical wood treatments now contain copper and are consid-
By the way, watering in the morning allows the foliage to dry ered safer than the lumber treated prior to 2003 when arsenic
by nightfall, reducing fungal infections. Placing the bed in an was involved in the wood treatment. Stacked cinder blocks or
area of your yard that doesn’t flood or hold water helps provide bricks may also be an option. Even a small plastic wading pool
good drainage for the bed itself and also enables our access to can serve as a raised bed or large container, just make sure you
the bed during wet periods. place some drainage holes in the container.

Orientation can make a difference as well. Orienting the long Obvious benefits of raised beds are the choice of substrates
axis of the bed north to south will enable the natural course of or soilless mixes you may choose from when filling your bed.

Page 22 Robeson Living ~ Spring 2021