Raised beds are hands down the easiest way to grow veggies here in our desert.
Probably the most important thing about vegetable gardening is having a nice, nutrient dense, rich soil for them to grow in. If you've ever tried digging into the native soil in your backyard you know that it can really be difficult to add an amendment to the soil for planting. Being able to manipulate the soil above ground makes things 100 percent easier.
You can tailor the height of your raised bed to the person that's going to be working in it. If you have small children or don't mind gardening on your hands and knees, then you'll do well with a bed that's about 8-12 inches off the ground.
Raise it up to 2-3 feet to simplify gardening for seniors or those with physical limitations.
Wide edges on the top perimeter lend to easy leaning over into the bed.
Whether you choose to build with wood, concrete or brick, you will be able to make the space a reflection of your own tastes and personality.
Watering your raised bed can be calming and therapeutic, but as things heat up you may find it less soothing and more stressful.
Adding your own drip irrigation or soaker hose to the bed can take away the burden of daily watering when the summer months come.
Veggies aren't the only thing easy to grow in raised beds. If you've been wanting to try growing some different flowers for arranging or maybe just to admire while you're sitting on your patio, this is an easy way to create the perfect growing conditions.
Here's a couple things to keep in mind when planning a raised bed.
Size: you'll want to be able to reach the plants in the center so a width of no more than 4 feet is desirable. The length can be whatever fills your needs.
Soil: Again, being able to easily manipulate the soil is the best perk. You'll want to mix a blend of 50 percent sand to 50 percent compost. You need the sand to allow for drainage and the compost to feed those plants.
Sun: Pick a spot that gets the most sunlight. It's always easier to add shade when you think you'll need it. There are very few veggies that can grow in the shade.
If you don't have space in your own yard, consider testing your green thumb at one of the valley's community gardens. They offer a pay for space program that can easily be shared with a friend or family member. It's an also an easy and fun introduction to gardening for kids.
Check one out today!
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