When it comes to the gardening ideas, there are some ways that you can do. One of them is creating a garden bed. Garden beds are a great way to add personality and visual interest to your yard. They’re also easy to maintain. When planning your garden bed, it’s important to think about the kind of plants you want to grow. Whether you prefer to plant flowers or vegetables, there are plenty of kinds of garden beds for you to choose from.
But before that, you have to think about what you have to prepare to make a garden bed. Preparing a garden bed idea can seem like a lot of work. But it’s not all that difficult if you take the time to prepare it properly and keep it up on a regular basis. There are several things that you must prepare, including the following below.
Location
Choosing the right location for a garden bed idea is critical to its success. Ideally, it should be positioned in an area with good drainage and where there is plenty of space for planting, harvesting and maintenance. The ideal spot is level, preferably slightly raised, but not at the bottom of a gully or in a dip that could become waterlogged. This can lead to problems like standing water and poor soil nutrient levels, which can damage your plants.
Soil Test
The first thing you should do is a soil test and decide on the type of soil you want to use. As you prepare your garden bed, think about what’s best for the soil. Taking the time to conduct a soil test will pay big dividends down the road, putting plants in the best environment and making them thrive. A soil test shows you what nutrients are in your soil and whether they’re in balance.
Irrigation
Whether you’re installing a new garden bed or you’re preparing a flower bed idea that’s been around the house for years, it’s important to think about the irrigation system. Having an automated irrigation system can be a huge time saver and can help to ensure your plants get the water they need to thrive.
Remove Weeds
When preparing a new bed, it is important to remove all weeds before planting your desired vegetables and flowers. It is also important to keep bare soil from being exposed for any length of time, as this will quickly fill with weeds. One effective weed control method is to cover the ground with newspapers or cardboard before adding mulch over the top. This will stop weed seeds from germinating and will add humus to the soil.
Mulching
When you prepare a garden bed idea, it is important to mulch it properly. Mulching keeps the soil moisture high and can help suppress weeds. It also protects sensitive plants from temperature extremes and helps reduce runoff. The mulch you use should be based on the shape of the bed and its contour. For example, if the bed is round or square, you should layer a few inches thick of mulch around it to keep soil from washing away.
Kinds of Garden Beds
After you have prepared the things above, you can start thinking about what kind of garden bed you will use and of course according to your garden and your needs. There are kinds of garden bed ideas that you can use for your garden.
Raised Beds
If you’re looking for a cheap, easy and beautiful way to add a little more space to your garden, raised beds are the way to go. Raised beds are a great way to grow vegetables and flowers. They help keep the soil from getting compacted and protect your plants from foot traffic and pests. You can use pallets, wood, cinder blocks and even concrete for this project. Make sure that the material you use doesn’t contain chemicals that could leach into your soil.
- Pallets. Pallets are ideal raised garden bed ideas for gardening novices and those who want a cheap and easy project. One of the easiest ways to make a pallet planter is to lay several pallets on the ground and fill them with soil, compost and plants. Veggies that grow vertically like cucumbers, peas, beans, swiss chard, tomatoes and eggplant grow well in these raised beds.
- Wood. If you want to build raised garden beds out of wood, there are plenty of options. You can choose from pine, spruce, cedar, or redwood. If your budget is tight, you can also use a reclaimed or recycled piece of wood. However, be aware that these kinds of wood may contain chemicals from previous owners and are often not as durable as newer, natural lumber. Another type of wood that can be used to create a raised garden bed is cypress. It is more durable than pine, and resistant to rot.
- Metal. If you want to go beyond wood for your raised garden bed, consider metal – it’s very durable and can even bring a decidedly industrial or modern vibe. Plus, it can be easier to form into atypical interesting shapes. Whether you opt for Aluzinc-coated steel or regular galvanized steel, these materials offer superior corrosion resistance. Also, these beds are extremely durable, and they will last a long time without any deformations.
- Concrete. Concrete can be a great material for raised garden beds. It’s low maintenance and can moderate soil temperatures, which is useful for hot climates. It can also help retain moisture in the soil, which is important to keep the plant roots cool and dry. If you decide to build your raised bed on concrete, make sure to use quality soil and practice good watering practices to ensure that the soil stays moist enough for your plants to thrive.
- Cinder block. Cinder block raised bed ideas offer you a unique way to create an attractive garden. They are inexpensive, easy to build, and will help to keep weeds at bay. Stacking cinder blocks is a great way to save space and add a bit of personality to your yard.
Hoop Houses
Hoop houses are a kind of garden bed idea that is popular for many different reasons. They can extend the growing season, protect sensitive crops from frost and protect the soil for spring seedlings. These structures can be built on a permanent site, but they can also be moved around the yard to suit specific needs. This makes them a good choice for gardeners who are looking for an inexpensive way to cover plants.
They also are useful for protecting plants from wandering wildlife, and they are a great way to provide a greenhouse effect. A hoop house can be constructed using PVC pipe or wire. You can purchase these supplies at a hardware store, and you will need to use a large diameter of pipe to make the structure strong.
Containers
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of building raised beds, you can use containers for your garden. They’re convenient, easy to move, and you can fill them with pretty much any plant. Whether you’re planting flowers or vegetables, container gardening gives you the opportunity to vary the height of your plants to make your landscape more visually interesting. You can also try adding a textural plant to your arrangement, such as grasses. When you do, you’ll create a sense of height and drama in your garden. This homeowner created that sensation by combining tall ornamental grasses with smaller plants, like dianthus and petunias.