Spring Project: Raised Bed of Veggies, Herbs, and Flowers

 

Raised beds take the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to a new level.  And the best thing is that hobby farmers no longer have to bend over to plant, weed, and harvest. 

Fill the raised bed with system and brains.  From coarse, rather nutrient-poor (at the bottom) to fine and rather nutrient-rich (at the top).  Start with small twigs and leaves, which are covered with a little soil. 

Tip: The two lowest layers should be well compacted when filling. Otherwise, the bed can quickly collapse as it rots and the heating effect is gone.

This is followed by a ten-centimeter layer of unrotted compost and other shredded material.  This is covered with some mature compost soil.  Another layer of mature compost soil before the raised bed is covered with about 15 centimeters of high-quality garden soil.

Especially for heat-loving vegetables, the raised bed is a paradise. In addition to peppers and tomatoes, this also includes zucchini.  Lettuce and spinach, which require fewer nutrients, will still feel at home in the airy height later on.  There are hardly any plants that are not suitable for the raised bed. In addition to the fairly low-maintenance radishes and carrots, beans, radishes, peas, and onions are also popular. Because in combination with herbs and flowers, the raised bed is a guarantee for healthy plants and thus also a good harvest.

Raised beds can and should be planted more densely than other vegetable beds. For example, there is room on the walls for climbing plants, which are protected from pests by the height.

Herbs

Herbs are also brilliantly suited to raised beds.  Especially because they are said to keep pesky small animals away from the vegetables.  Basil protects against the dangerous powdery mildew fungi. That is why the herb maintains a good neighborhood with cucumbers and zucchini. 

Spinach and lettuce are allies against mealybugs. If tomatoes are planted between cabbages, the cabbage white butterfly will give them a wide berth.  Strawberries, especially popular with slugs, can be protected by planting some parsley alongside them. The voracious mollusks do not like them at all.

What can go out into the fresh air and when?

Since a properly filled raised bed functions as a kind of natural heating system, classic spring plants such as radishes, lettuces, radishes, and arugula feel at home in it as early as  April.  Somewhat colder nights do not bother them. Spring onions, leeks, and bulbs are liking it a little warmer.  But by the end of April, you can plant the trio in the raised bed without hesitation. 

Be careful with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini.  Cool air does not agree with them at all.  Don´t let the plants out of the windowsill into the fresh air until the third week of May.  If you want to eat cauliflower and broccoli from your garden it's best to wait for the warm summer months.

Annual flowers are an ideal choice for raised garden beds, as they require little maintenance and provide a burst of color throughout the growing season.  Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one year and must be replanted each year.  Popular annual flowers for raised beds include marigolds, petunias, snapdragons, pansies, and impatiens. 

These types of flower beds are also perfect for zinnias, cosmos, larkspur, bachelor buttons, and dahlias.

Planting bulbs is another great way to use flowers from early spring through late summer as many bulbs will bloom at different times during the growing season.

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Amazing English Gardens

 

Imagine masses of hollyhocks, daisies, phlox, catmint, and foxgloves mingling together and spilling out of garden beds.  English cottage gardens invite wandering and evoke whimsy.  Their designs often include curving pathways, rose-covered arbors, and white picket fences.  When planning your informal flower garden, start with a list of cottage garden plants like foxgloves, Shasta daisies, catmint, lavender, hollyhocks, sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, nasturtiums, and cornflowers.

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Aim for plenty of variety

Tall plants, short plants, pink flowers, white or blue flowers—all of these things can be placed next to one another in an English garden.  Of course, you'll have to make some adjustments to ensure that all of your plants have access to sunlight and aren't too crowded, but in general, it's best not to overthink a garden like this one.  Instead, opt for a free-flowing plan.

Meandering paths are a lovely touch

At first glance, a garden path might seem like too much work.  But actually, it couldn't be simpler to source and lay the right one for your garden—and the payoff is big.  Not only will you give yourself an easy route in and out of the space, but you'll also be afforded the luxury of watering your plants without having to step into tall grasses or get your shoes muddy.  It's a win-win!

Add a gate

There are few things more magical in an English garden than a simple gateway. They're easy enough to purchase and install, and the visual impact is huge. Don't have a wall into which to install your new structure? You can also buy stand-alone designs that can be surrounded by simple bushes and vines.

Think vertically too

It's not just about what's on the ground! Be sure to think about the "y-axis" of your space as well. Consider adding a trellis or simply twisting ivy, draping wisteria, and high-flying vines around a shed or other already-existing structure.

Incorporate seating

English gardens are meant to be enjoyed and savored, which is why they often include benches.  What better way to sit and take in all the beauty around you?  Wooden, stone, and metal structures all work beautifully in these spaces.

Replicate a country garden 

Plant a variety of flowers—roses, lavender, delphinium, and other colorful options—close together to replicate a garden you would find in the countryside.   A dense and rich garden with plenty of character is what you're after.  When it comes to gardening, nothing's more English than a fragrant rose bush. Avoid the temptation to snap up every variety that catches your eye. You can achieve a lavish look like this with just two types of climbing roses: 'William Baffin' and 'New Dawn.'  You only need to plant a few kinds of things, but do it in big sweeps.

Color is important

While citrus-hued daylilies are already pretty splashy on their own, buck conventional wisdom by pairing them with alliums in equally assertive but seemingly contradictory shades of purple—to brilliant results. Color is particularly important where you don't have structure.

After planting, mulch the soil with an organic mulch like bark or compost to reduce weed growth and hold soil moisture.

Happy gardening : )

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