Why fight with Mother Nature when you can create the perfect growing conditions by using raised beds. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs or flowers, you won’t be disappointed when you adopt a raised garden bed design. 

A raised bed garden design also lets you avoid dealing with our difficult native sandy soil, which is a gift in itself. Soil in raised beds drains better, which means wet weather won’t stall—or rot—crops. In a raised bed, soil warms earlier in spring, so you can start planting sooner. This is particularly helpful in colder zones and in spots where the sun doesn’t strike soil in early spring.  When you decide to try raised bed designs, you’re making a move toward better gardening. While growing in ground-level beds works well and gives great results, you’ll discover several benefits to embracing raised beds. First, you have ultimate control over soil composition. You can customize the soil blend in your raised garden bed design to be exactly what your crops crave.

Most raised bed garden designs have defined paths, which means no one is walking on planting areas, compacting soil and giving plant roots a tough time. Keep the pathway aspect in mind with your raised bed designs. Make sure paths are wide enough to permit easy access with a wheelbarrow or garden cart. If paths are grass, you’ll need to be able mow through that space. Do a dry run with your mower to make sure you have ample room.

Individual beds should be wide enough that you can easily reach into the center from either side. A good rule of thumb is to have 2-foot-wide beds if they’re accessed from one side only and three- to four-foot-wide for access from both sides. Research raised bed designs that accommodate things like trellises or hoops to support a cold frame, bird netting or row covers. 

If your dreaming about that perfect garden but don’t want the hassle, raised beds can be the perfect medium! Happy Planting!

article adapted from HGTV gardening