Raised Bed Organic Vegetable Garden Newsletter
Newsletter
Steps to a Raised Bed Organic Vegetable Garden
Step 1 Determine what you will be growing
- Sprawling crops like melons may need vertical support.
- Upright crop like tomatoes.
- Space requirements vary.
Step 2 Select site, size, shape and number of beds
- 4’x 4’ and 4’x 8’ are ideal for backyard gardens.
- Longer is OK but widths larger than 4’ are difficult to access.
- Full sun with late afternoon shade is best.
- Don’t hide your garden – it can be a pretty part of the landscape.
- Near water source is important.
Step 3 Prepare site
- Remove sod/weeds physically and toss in the compost pile.
- Newspaper or cardboard can be used to block grass and weeds from regrowing.
- Allow for walkways of shredded native tree trimmings.
Step 4 Purchase materials, construct bed
- Many choices for edging or none at all.
- Add soil / amendments – Bed Prep: mix compost, rock minerals, sugar and organic fertilizer to native soil.
Step 5 Mulch surrounding walkways
- Native tree trimmings or cedar is best.
- Do not use landscape fabric or plastic, pine bark, cypress, dyed or rubber mulch.
Step 6 Planting and maintenance
