This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Raised beds

Hope its OK to add just a little to the other comments on the
subject.

>My question is do I really need
>to make a raised bed to sqft or can I do without it, the pictures
>in the book all seem to be of squares without a raised bed around
>them. Is it just for looks or does it really serve a purpose (other
>than making the bed a little higher off the ground thus easier to
>reach).

I'm surprised that deep beds are not an established part of the SQFT
system,  given that one of the objectives of SQFT,  is to grow crops
at higher densities than normal gardening methods.  One of the
supposed advantages to the deep bed system is that it encourages and
enables more growth downwards rather than sideways,  thus permitting
higher planting densities.  Also with a deeper root system crops are
less prone to drought.  The preparation of deep beds also gives the
opportunity to remove stones and add compost/humus to the soil.  I've
been preparing deep beds this Winter with permanent paths between the
beds.  I've removed soil from the paths down to a little over a spade
depth and I've been surprised how much this soil has added to the
depth of the beds on either side.

Best wishes

Joe Hemmens
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index