What amateur gardeners don't come up with to get a good harvest.
Today we will introduce you to an unusual technology - growing crops in high beds.
Advantages and disadvantages of high beds
High beds are limited space, elevated above the ground.. They are used for growing vegetables and other crops.
It is best to build such facilities in the fall, but with proper maintenance, you can create a “raised” site at other times of the year.
Important! If you build too high boards - more than 70 cm, the bees will not be able to perform pollination, which will adversely affect the further growth of the culture.As with any decision related to the cultivation of vegetable crops, it has its advantages and disadvantages.
We list the advantages of high beds:
- in spring, the soil warms up faster, and it is possible to sow much earlier than in open ground; This will increase the yield by 2 times;
- due to the borders of the box, the mulch will not be washed away or carried away in case of wind gusts;
- the design provides good drainage - this will avoid stagnant moisture;
- there is the possibility of individual selection of soil for each plot, which will provide optimal conditions for growing crops;
- due to the design it is possible to protect the crop from sudden changes in temperature;
- it is much easier to work the soil, as the amount of work is significantly reduced;
- raised areas are convenient because you don’t have to lean much toward the plants;
- the building looks beautiful, with the right approach to the building will last a long time and will not collapse;
- can be built in any sunny place.
Despite the huge number of advantages, this method has its drawbacks. The downsides of high beds are:- the need to constantly carry out feeding because of the limited space;
- physical and material investments necessary for the construction of the structure;
- the risk of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that may be dangerous to plants.
Did you know? Mulching high beds will not only improve soil properties, but will also help preserve moisture in the ground, which will allow watering plants less often.
Do not be afraid of possible difficulties - seriously enough to approach the construction of an unusual design, and you get a rich harvest.
Optimal size
Each gardener can independently choose the size of the future bed, as there are no well-established dimensions. However, there are certain recommendations that may be useful when you build high beds with your own hands.
Height
The optimum height of the boards varies from 15 to 50 cm. If you plan to place the structure on fertile soil, it is necessary to limit to a height of 15-20 cm. This amount of embankment is quite enough to get a good harvest.
If the land on the site is not very favorable for growing crops, the bed should be raised higher - about 50 cm. Depending on the wishes of gardeners, you can raise the walls of the structure even higher - in this case you will not have to bend during weeding or disembarking. But remember that this design will require more materials.
Read also what the pyramid beds are for, and how to build it with your own hands.
Width and length
The optimal width of the building is considered to be a distance from 90 to 120 cm. It is necessary to arrange the site in such a way that it can fit in 2 rows. This layout will allow the plants to get enough air and sunlight, which will undoubtedly affect the yield.
If you plant a lot of rows, it is likely that the bushes in the center will not receive the necessary amount of air and light, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Ridge standard width is convenient to handle.
Important! When choosing plastic for construction, be careful: some of its species emit toxins and are not suitable for use in agriculture.
Reflecting on the length of the site, you can be guided solely by the capabilities of the territory. However, most often there are structures with a length of 1.5 to 3 m. Such areas look compact and neat.
Choosing a place on the dacha
It is very important to take a responsible approach to the choice of the place where the structure will be located in the future. It is better to have high beds in the country in sunny areas: the light should come to this place at least 6 hours a day. Be sure to consider this requirement if you plan to place the structure near any buildings or fence.
When placing the embankment on open ground, you should adhere to the following recommendations.:
- put a metal grid on the soil - this will protect the plant roots from rodents;
- Lay out old newspapers at the bottom of the structure - this technique will significantly slow down the growth of weeds.
It is not recommended to use wooden flooring or a terrace for the construction of the beds, since the tree will quickly begin to rot when in contact with water.
In order for your garden to have bright outlines, you should know about what appearance to give and how to decorate it correctly.
Material selection and step by step instructions for making
For the construction of high beds can be used a variety of materials. We offer to get acquainted with the most common types of structures and features of their manufacture.
Wooden construction
This material, perhaps, is a classic for creating beds. It attracts gardeners for its accessibility. You can use boards and logs for manufacturing.
Did you know? Choosing for the construction of larch boards, you will significantly increase the service life of the structure. Resin wood is an excellent protector from external influence and prevents the destruction of the boards.
We advise you to use a small instruction:
- Before you begin to build buildings, you need to process the boards. For this you can use all sorts of impregnation that will prevent the decomposition of the tree. You can also varnish or paint the boards. Lime is the safest and most affordable way to cut wood - it’s enough just to whiten the elements.
- With the help of an ordinary tool you need to attach the bars to the boards. To do this, it is necessary to nail the posts to the edges of the short boards. Long boards are also connected to the bars. Choose the bars so that they are 20-30 cm left in the ground.
- In the next step, knock down the box. Try to avoid cracks, boards should fit snugly to the bars.
- The final stage is the installation of the mounted box. After you score the bars into the ground, check with a level to see if it is level.
Important! When installing the beds next to fruit trees, before installing the markup, you will need to install a barrier for the root system.
After installing the structure, you can fill it with soil and start planting plants.
In these beds can grow plants such as strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, celery, eggplants, carrots, peppers, onions, and you can also decorative flowers such as lupine, iris, pansies, periwinkle, cloves.
Stone use
Undoubtedly, there can be no doubt about the durability of such a structure. But because of the high cost of the material, not everyone can afford such beauty. If you find money for a stone bed, it will be a great decoration for the summer cottage.
Instructions for the manufacture of such a structure includes the following steps:
- it is necessary to dig a trench around the perimeter of the proposed site, 30 cm deep;
- lay on the bottom of the polyethylene or roofing material;
- we fall asleep a trench with sand on the third part of depth;
- we put stones;
- we carry out filling of the concrete base with in advance prepared solution;
- then it is laid on the perimeter using a mortar that is applied only on the inside of the stone;
- After 2-3 weeks, you can pour in the soil and plant the plants.
Brick beds
Having built a high brick bed, you undoubtedly decorate the site. This design is very similar to a stone structure: it has the same construction principle and relatively high cost of materials.
Did you know? In order to usefully exploit the free beds between seasons, land them on them. - mustard, beans or buckwheat. After the bevel, they will play the role of mulch, which will fertilize the soil in a natural way.
In addition to the cost of materials and a long manufacturing process, you will have to find a specialist who can lay out a beautiful, even composition.
Out slate
This material is distinguished by its durability. Everyone in the country has unnecessary pieces of slate, which are just useful for the construction of high beds.
We offer you to read the instructions for making:
- The first is the preparation of materials: it is necessary to cut the plates and give them the desired size.
- At the next stage, a trench is being dug up according to pre-determined sizes.
- In the excavated hole around the perimeter are installed sliced slate plates. If you use a flat slate, you need to connect the strips with the help of corners - this will give a reliable design.
- Then you need to fill the trench with soil and tamp it well.
From plastic
The beds of plastic can be of two types. The first is the use of plastic panels. In this case, it is almost ideal for creating designs. It has excellent thermal insulation, has a long service life and allows you to create a bed of any shape.
Such blanks can be purchased in specialized stores. The principle of construction is the same as in the case of slate.
Important! In the manufacture of beds of slate should not drive it into the ground - so there is the likelihood of its destruction. To install the sides carefully dig slate into the soil.
Another option is to make a bed of plastic bottles. However, this is not a good way, since tightness is out of the question. In addition, plastic bottles quickly deform, which over time will make the area is not very attractive.
From straw and twigs
One of the cheap materials for the manufacture of beds - straw. Bales have an affordable price, so a similar way to build beds is the most budget.
To make the necessary construction, it is necessary to lay cardboard on the ground, put bales on it in rows and fasten them with a wire to shape them.
Before planting, straw must be prepared: in the fall and spring, it is plentifully watered and fertilized with special means.
You can also build a ridge of branches. To do this, you will need the branches and spunbond. Step by step instruction is as follows:
- Pegs are dug in along the perimeter of the intended landing area.
- Then these pegs are twined with branches, as if you are making a basket.
- Small branches should be decomposed into the garden itself - they will act as a drainage.
- Along the perimeter it is necessary to lay the spanbond, undermining it a little in the ground and placing it on the fence. It is necessary to retain soil and water, otherwise the earth will simply fall through the bars.
- Put old newspapers or cardboard on top of small branches - they will not let the weeds break through.
- At the final stage, the plot is covered with soil.
Highlights in the arrangement of high beds in the country
Despite the fact that when making beds, you can independently choose their height, you should not go beyond 70 cm. It is this height that is optimal and allows you to create a plot with suitable soil for further growing plants. Raising the ground, you can minimize the appearance of various diseases of crops, as well as minimize the chemical treatment of plants.
Did you know? The use of straw beds is ideal for a cold climate, since warming of straw occurs much earlier than the soil becomes suitable for sowing.
To make the construction durable, the material used to build it needs to be driven into the ground about half the height of the sheet.
To get a good harvest, it is recommended to lay a layer of compost on the bottom before filling the structure with soil.
If you decide to build several rows, the paths between them can be decorated with green lawn grass. Such a decision will make the site more beautiful.
Now you know how to make high beds, and you will be able not only to increase the yield, but also to decorate the dacha with an original and useful structure.
