Raised beds – gardening without digging

Raised beds are a practical method of organizing crop cultivation in various conditions. This approach has several key advantages:

  • Raised beds can be established anywhere on your garden plot in just a few hours.
  • No special soil preparation is required.
  • The soil becomes enriched with organic matter due to increased microbial activity.
  • The beds retain warmth and moisture.
  • Watering frequency is reduced.
  • Weed growth is minimal.
  • Harvests ripen significantly faster.

How to Create Raised Beds and Organize a High Garden

Choose a plot with relatively fertile soil that receives at least 5–6 hours of sunlight daily. This could be an old lawn, a weedy “wasteland,” compacted ground, or even an unused patch of land. Mow down grass and weeds at ground level using a trimmer. Loosen compacted soil or dig it over once to improve water penetration.

The next step involves marking the beds and constructing borders. Follow these guidelines when marking your raised beds:

  • Bed Width: Choose a width that allows easy access, typically 40–80 cm. You should be able to reach two-thirds of the width from one side. Length is optional, depending on available space.
  • Paths: Leave pathways at least 90 cm wide, or 120 cm if space permits. This ensures easy movement, even with a garden cart, facilitates mowing between rows, and improves light access for plants.

Borders: Use available materials, such as old logs, boards, or slate. For more durable and permanent raised beds, use bricks, though this requires more effort. The recommended height of the bed is 25–40 cm. Raised beds are also excellent in greenhouses, as they prevent soil from spilling into pathways and make maintenance easier.


Preparing Raised Beds for Planting

To begin using your raised beds, layer the necessary materials in this order:

  1. Base Layer (about 10 cm): Lay down coarse organic matter, such as chopped branches, wood scraps, straw, or old leaves. Combine materials as needed.
  2. Fertilizer Layer: Add a thin layer of organic fertilizer (peat, well-rotted manure, compost, or poultry droppings).
  3. Repeat Layers: Alternate the first two layers again.
  4. Top Layer: Add a 10 cm layer of quality garden soil. Water generously and let the bed sit for a few days to absorb moisture and settle.

Your raised bed is now ready for planting!


Planting in Raised Beds

Carefully make planting holes without disturbing the layer structure and transplant your seedlings. After planting, cover the soil with a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture. Mulch is best applied to warm, moist soil.

Over time, the organic layers will decompose, providing warmth and nutrients to plant roots. As the bed settles, periodically add new layers of mulch to the surface.

At the end of the growing season, after harvesting, do not dig over the beds. Instead, replenish them with fresh organic materials.

To preserve nutrients in unused beds, cover them with green manure (cover crops) during the off-season. These plants will aerate the soil and enrich it with essential elements naturally. Simply cut them down and leave the residue on the bed, covering it with a thin layer of mulch.


Crop Rotation Recommendations

When growing vegetables in raised beds, follow crop rotation guidelines to maintain soil health.