Written by Palmetto Bluff
Mar 20, 2023
Gardening is one of the most fulfilling activities that one can undertake. It is an excellent way to bond with nature and reap the rewards of your hard work. However, starting a garden can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to gardening. The good news is that with the right guidance, you can create a thriving raised garden bed in time for spring. In an interview with Shane Rahn, a seasoned gardener as well as the Palmetto Bluff Farm Manager, he shares his insights on how to create the best raised garden bed.
Raised garden beds offer several benefits over traditional in-ground gardens. According to Shane, one of the significant advantages is that raised garden beds provide better soil quality. Since you add the soil yourself, you have control over the quality and nutrients of the soil. Additionally, raised garden beds have better drainage, which is essential in preventing overwatering and root rot.
Easier maintenance is another significant benefit of raised gardens. They offer better accessibility, which means you can weed and harvest your garden without bending or kneeling for extended periods. Raised garden beds also help to reduce soil erosion, prevent soil compaction, and keep pests and weeds at bay.
To create the best raised garden bed, you need to ensure that you have the right components. Shane explains that you need to start with a frame. The frame can be made of various materials such as wood, bricks, or stones. He recommends not using treated wood as it can contain harmful chemicals. Instead, Shane opts for untreated wood like pine or cedar for the box. Using plastic allows your raised garden bed to retain more moisture, prevents significant erosion and weed growth, and keeps the bed soft.
The next essential component is the soil mix. Shane recommends using a mixture of topsoil, compost, and organic matter such as coco buffer. To go the extra mile, Shane advises taking a soil sample to determine the helpful nutrients that remain in your field after harvest and how well it produced growth. Furthermore, soil temperatures are integral to planting, especially in the spring. Plants grow faster in warmer soils so pay attention to the low temperatures and do not plant until the average is above what the minimum soil temperature is for the plant that you want to grow.
At the Community Garden in River Road neighborhood, Shane has 56 raised beds built with 2×12 timbers and promotes sub-irrigation, that way the water can properly drain. Shane also has four raised garden beds at The Farm that are sub-irrigated and certified organic. The farming practices at The Farm are similar to an above ground raised bed. Shane uses a machine that creates a raised bed, lays drip tape and then covers it all with plastic. The beds themselves are 18 inches deep and Shane says “the deeper the better.” This will allow your plants to thrive as they have room to properly grow.
The best plants for a raised garden bed depend on your location and the time of year. It’s important to consider plant hardiness as you can determine which plants will thrive. In Bluffton, the plant hardiness is in zone 8 which means it is one of the warmest growing climates as the summers are hot and the winters are mild. For planting in the spring, Shane recommends waiting to plant until the soil temperature is at a minimum of 60 degrees.
Spring vegetation like tomatoes, peppers, and watermelons like it to be hot, so Shane recommends waiting until at least late March to begin planting.
This spring at Palmetto Bluff, Shane will be planting:
Tomatoes
Peppers
Okra
Zucchini
Eggplant
Squash
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Butter peas
Cucumber
And much more!
Finally, you should consider how you lay out your plants. Shane plants all of his vegetation approximately 24 to 30 inches apart for more space to breathe while the minimum 18 inches apart is recommended. The farther apart the plants are the better they will grow. If you plant too close together, the plants will still grow but you won’t get the optimum out of all your crops.
Before you start on your journey to have the best raised garden bed, there are a few things you should do before you plant such as:
Amending the soil a week prior to planting
Cultivating the soil by tearing it up with a garden ho (that way the older soil comes up to the top)
Figure out what you want to plant, the necessary materials, and when you want to plant
Tease the roots of your plants so they break up and can grow (only necessary on transplants)
Maintaining a raised garden bed requires regular care and attention. You don’t want to malnourish your raised garden bed, but you also don’t want to over-nurture it. Shane’s advice is to treat plants like people, “you don’t want to bother them too much, but give them a pat on the head every now and again.” Irrigate your plants slowly in the beginning, as the plants want to go to bed hot and dry, then fertilize them every four weeks, and then give them the space to grow on their own. You can start to water them more regularly once the plants start to bear fruit. It is also helpful to plant symbiotic vegetation, like tomatoes and peppers, close together as they will help each other grow.
For the best raised garden bed, you need to fertilize your plants regularly. Shane suggests using an organic fertilizer such as manure or compost, as they are gentle on your plants and provide the necessary nutrients. Or, you may spray your plants with organic chemical neem oil, just be sure to spray the entire plant. When spraying your plants, the weather plays a major role. If it is a hot and sunny day, spray them later in the afternoon. If the day is going to be more cloudy and cool, spray them first thing in the morning. In addition to changing the soil every four to five years, rotating your crops every year is just as important. Essentially, never sow a plant in the same place it was the year before will balance the nutrients in your soil and foster more growth.
Finally, you need to keep an eye on your plants for signs of pests and diseases. Shane has a high fence to prevent deer and raccoons from entering the bed, however, you can also use scarecrows to keep other animals that would be harmful to your plants away.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to having a thriving raised garden bed for springtime. Remember to be patient, give your plants the right amount of care, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
At the Bluff, it all begins with the land, and creating the best raised garden bed requires careful planning and attention to detail. With the guidance of experts like Shane Rahn and the resources available at Palmetto Bluff, you’ll be on your way to cultivating a thriving garden in no time. Don’t hesitate to reach out and take the first step towards your dream of having the best raised garden bed this spring.
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