Re: CULT - RAISED BEDS
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT - RAISED BEDS
- From: J* I* J* <j*@ix.netcom.com>
- Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 17:38:30 -0700 (MST)
rimat wrote:
>
> I've noticed that more than one person has mentioned planting irises in
> raised beds. Is this a better thing to do than planting directly in the
> ground? I guess it's easier on the back and knees (I am not being
> facetious). But what are the benefits for the irises?
Hi Rima,
I had several reasons for putting in raised beds. One I have gophers and
I lined the bottom of the beds with wire to keep them out. Of course,
this spring one of my cats decided she wanted to be a gopher
hunter...The other reason and often one of the main reasons is to
control the soil environment. I have a very heavy clay soil so I wanted
beds with better conditions. That they are easier to work in is a side
benefit. The down side is that it is not as easy to rotate other plants
into the beds without giving up some iris space. I am going to try
solarization this summer to see if I can avoid having to replace the
soil every three years or so.
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
