How to Create a Raised Garden

Gardening is one of the most popular past times. Vegetable gardening, in particular, is likely to become even more popular as the public becomes increasingly interested in safe, organic produce as well as strategies for reducing their grocery bills during the current economic downturn

Traditional, ground level garden plots may not be accessible for those in wheelchairs or with other physical limitations. Raised gardens offer a means of overcoming physical restrictions to enable a gardener to continue with a beloved hobby or allow a neophyte to get started.

Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

A raised bed offers:

• Easier access – people in wheelchairs can reach their plants and able bodied persons don’t have to bend over repeatedly stressing their backs.
• Easier maintenance – there are fewer weeds and those that do grow are quickly pulled out.
• Better plant growth – According to Dr. Michael Orzolek, professor of horticulture in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, carrots and other plants with long roots do better in raised gardens because they do not have to contend with rocks, clay or other impediments to their growth. In addition, because the soil does not get compacted from repeated walking over it, there is better drainage and more oxygen available for plant growth.
• Better control over soil types and conditions – gardeners can amend the soil to promote plant growth as they see fit.
• An extended growing season as the soil in the beds warms up sooner and stays warmer longer.

However, there are some limitations, such as limited space for growing plants like squash that need room to expand and the cost associated with construction tends to be higher than for a conventional garden.

Raised Bed Construction

Beds can be made from a variety of materials such as lumber (e.g. cedar not treated wood) stone, plastic, bricks or hay bales. Typically, beds are four feet in height and four to five feet long. Planters should not be wider than a person can extend their arm. The beds should be open on the bottom and can rest either on the ground, gravel or a cement pad. A cement pad is necessary for persons in wheelchairs or others who depend on a flat even surface to be able to ambulate safely and easily. In any event the bed should be level.

Chicken wire can be placed on the bottom of the bed to discourage animals from digging up into the planter. On top of the chicken wire, place permeable, landscape fabric or newspapers to allow water to drain adequately. Next place loose rock to facilitate proper drainage. Fill the bed with soil amending it with peat, compost or other materials that support plants and allow for water to drain.

Other Considerations

• Trellises can be attached to beds to allow climbing plants (e.g. pole beans) a structure to attach to and grow.
• Be sure to locate the raised garden close to a water supply.
• Any type of vegetable or flower can be planted in the raised beds. The care of plants is same as a conventional garden.

Raised garden beds offer a number of benefits for able bodied or physically limited gardeners. They are relatively easy to construct and their longevity offers years of accessible gardening.