Raised-bed gardening

Raised garden bed of lettuce, tomatoes, basil, marigolds, zinnias, garlic chives, 

Raised-bed gardening is a form of gardening in which the soil is formed in 3 – 4 foot (1.0–1.2 m) wide beds, which can be of any length or shape. The soil is raised above the surrounding soil (approximately 6 inches to waist-high), is sometimes enclosed by a frame generally made of wood, rock, or concrete blocks, and may be enriched with compost. The vegetable plants are spaced in geometric patterns, much closer together than conventional row gardeningThe spacing is such that when the vegetables are fully grown, their leaves just barely touch each other, creating a microclimate in which weed growth is suppressed and moisture is conserved Any plant that is normally planted in the ground can be planted in a raised bed.Raised beds also save time and money because you need only dig, fertilize, and water the beds, not the paths

 
Raised garden bed tip: Build your raised garden beds so they're at least 12 inches tall. If the walls are slightly below waist level, you can sit on edges to work the soil and harvest your bounty without having to bend over at all

                     

                                                           A raised bed is most productive and attractive as a bottomless frame set into a shallow trench. The sides can be almost any durable building material, including rock, brick, concrete and interlocking blocks. Watering troughs or claw-foot tubs can work, as long as they have the capacity and drainage                       

Temporary raised beds work well for many backyard vegetable gardeners. The main advantage of temporary raised beds is their simplicity.

Permanent raised beds are more satisfactory for most situations.. Although there will be initial expense and labor in constructing walls for raised beds, the finished product should last for many years