There is much talk among Spokane County gardeners about raised beds. I’m not referring to the bunk beds your kids and grand kids jumped from but the intentionally framed structures surrounding an ample amount of soil. However, the recycled kid’s bed is a possibility for very short or very tall gardeners.
The whole idea of raised beds is to eliminate a degree of back and knee pain. Also, the elevated growing surface is usually a happy place for plants. At my house, where rocks and clay seem to be the prominent feature in my soil, raised beds are vital.
Materials for framing are endless; cement blocks, recycled lumber, etc., or as in my case, rocks. The finished product can be quite elaborate or simple. Plants don’t seem to be picky. Nearly anything stable enough to hold the volume of soil needed to fill them works. That is except treated railroad ties. The creosote not only smells bad it is bad for your plants and the soil.
There are many combinations of soil to consider for your raised beds. Regardless of where you purchase your soil insist the composition does not include composted lawn grasses that have been treated with herbicides. Even if it is stated harmful elements have been baked out of the soil harmful residual elements may still be present.
When incorporating barnyard manure to your soil the potential for weeds is high. Horse’s digestive systems don’t seem to break down the grasses as well as ruminants and application may result in nitrogen deficiency. The manure of cattle, if well composted, is high in organic material and includes nitrogen, prosperous and potassium, elements beneficial to your garden soil.
A friend of mine introduced me to the manure of her llamas. It seemed to behave as a slow-release fertilizer and is so easy to use.
One thing to remember about the soil in your raised beds is even through it looks clean and smooth it is not weed free. The weeds sneak up on you. They work specially hard at night when you are asleep dreaming about your beautiful weed-free raised beds that you worked all weekend weeding. Weeds do not share well. They have to go. They usually grow faster than your plants and suck up nutrients in your soil you depended upon for your plants.
Which reminds me about the importance of thinning your plants but we will talk about that another time.
If however, you have good soil to begin with and your back is still strong, maybe raised garden beds are not a consideration for you. Your plants, like the ones your grandmother grew will thrive from you’re loving care.
If you are interested in an analysis of your soil the Spokane Conservation District (SCD) has resources available to you. The SCD will instruct your preparation of a soil sample. Contact them at [email protected] or phone 509-535-7274. Their new address is 4422 E. 8th Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99212. If you have an opportunity to tour their new location, do so. It is delightful.
Other Questions:
It is spring, why are my evergreen trees brown? What is the fruit tree spray schedule for apples? When is the best time to fertilize? Designs for raised beds?
Please contact the WSU Spokane County Master Gardeners@http://spokane-county.wsu.edu/spokane/or call 509-477-2182 for more information. Master Gardeners are also available at the Cheney Library the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from April to October.
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