Three Strategies for Thriving Organic Lawn Maintenance
Raised garden beds have gained popularity among gardeners due to their numerous benefits. One such product that caters to this trend is the Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Bed from Farmstead.
These garden beds offer several advantages. For instance, they provide better control over soil quality, allowing you to customise the soil mix to suit your plants, especially useful if the native soil is poor or heavy. Improved drainage and aeration are another key advantage, as raised beds drain excess water quickly, preventing waterlogging and root rot while providing more oxygen to roots.
The elevation and contained soil in raised beds also reduce weed growth significantly, making them a great choice for those looking to minimise weed problems. Additionally, pests find it harder to reach plants, and physical barriers like hardware cloth can keep underground pests away.
Raised garden beds can be made at heights suitable for elderly or mobility-impaired gardeners, facilitating easier planting and harvesting. They also simplify garden care and watering management. With the right placement, you can even extend your growing season, as soil in raised beds warms faster in spring, allowing earlier planting.
To maximise the benefits of raised garden beds, it's important to follow some best practices. Choose a sunny location, aiming for 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, ideally placing beds on the southern side of fences or structures for maximum sun. Position beds close to spigots to simplify irrigation, and consider drip irrigation systems for consistent watering.
When selecting materials, opt for untreated, rot-resistant wood like cedar to avoid chemicals in the soil and ensure durability. A common bed width is about 4 feet to allow easy access without stepping into the bed and compacting soil. Use pest barriers if needed, and customise the soil mix by adding compost, sand, and other amendments as needed to create optimal growing conditions.
Mulching regularly is also essential. This helps maintain moisture and suppress weeds by applying mulch on the soil surface. Plan plant placement based on sunlight needs, placing sun-loving crops where they receive direct sun, considering seasonal sun angles. Avoid soil compaction by not stepping inside and keeping pathways around beds for access.
Other products worth mentioning include the Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose with a diameter of 7/16", available for watering your raised garden beds. Wildflower Farms sells Eco-Lawn Grass Seed in a 5 lb package, perfect for creating a sustainable lawn. For those interested in composting, the Worm Factory 360 Composter and the Stainless Steel Compost Keeper are excellent choices. The Jora JK270 Composter has a volume of 9.5 cubic feet, while VegTrug offers a Raised Garden Planter made of natural wood. Lastly, Farmstead also offers a Raised Garden Bed for those looking for a cedar option.
By following these practices and using the right tools, you can create a thriving garden in raised beds, promoting healthy plant growth, efficient water use, and easier upkeep.
Your home-and-garden lifestyle can be transformed with raised garden beds, like the Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Bed from Farmstead. These beds, designed to elevate your gardening experience, offer better control over soil quality, improved drainage, reduced weed growth, and easier care for gardeners of all abilities. Moreover, you can extend your growing season and create a sustainable lawn by adding products such as the Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose, Eco-Lawn Grass Seed, and various composters to your home-and-garden collection.
