Raised Garden Beds - A Decorative For A Small Space

A Raised garden is a great outdoor feature for a small space. This type of bed is also a great solution for problem areas such as a slope, bank, or trees where the grass won't grow.

There are a few basic steps to take in planning, preparing, and deciding what to plant. This bed offers you the option of planting trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

There are a couple of different types of beds to consider. Products are available for you today with kits for constructing a specific type of bed to accent your home. Copper Cap Raised Bed, 4' x 4' creates a nice touch to an outside area.

You can also build the bed yourself using a variety of different material. Many raised beds today sole purpose is to provide stability on a sloped area, as well as developing a rich landscape look.

Think of different areas around your property that could benefit from putting in this type of bed. Do you have a small area near your foundation and have been looking to find a solution for not being able to grow anything there? Do you have poor soil and want a small veggie or herb garden? Do you not want to put a lot of money into your property and need some color from shrubs or flowers?

Bed photos of everyday landscape gardens gives you some other suggestions for a few different areas. These are a few questions that my clients have pondered over the past few years. Below are some simple tips and ideas for you to consider when planning your landscape bed. Lets take a look at two different possibilities.

• The first is a bed for a small space. Measure out the length and the width. Plan ahead what plants you intend to install. If you are putting in a small tree or a few shrubs, keep in mind there should be some spacing between the plants as well near the edge of the bed. A flower, vegetable, or herb bed doesn't have to have the depth like a shrub or tree bed.
• The next question to ask is what type of material are you going to fill the bed up with? A good quality top soil will work well. If possible, the top soil should have a combination of dirt, sand, and saw dust. This combination is great for getting your plants started and also maintaining their health once established. Another option is creating a compost pile and using this material to add in with the top soil. An organic ingredient will increase the likelihood of promoting growth to each plant specimen.
• What type of material you will use to frame the bed or beds? The Two-Tier Raised Bed creates a nice looking bed. You can also do a single raised bed or do sets of three or five.

When constructing the bed yourself consider landscape timbers, railroad ties, bricks, or stone with cement, or a stackable decorative wall. Read about stackable walls, retaining and decorative stones. The other area to consider putting a raised bed around trees where you can't get grass to grow. Here are some steps in constructing this landscape project.

• Measure out the area you plan to put the bed. Take a garden hose and outline the shape of the bed.
• Take some sting and stakes and stake the area out. Make sure the string is taunt to get an accurate measurement.
• Put a weed and grass killer down if needed. Give the product a chance to work. I usually recommend a week.
• The preparation of the land is just like any other garden project. If you don't have too many root systems above the ground, run a tiller or other small equipment over the area to loosen the ground. Remember the more the ground is worked, the better it is for your plants.
• Remove any extra debris and level out what dirt or soil you may have with a rake. If you are planting some shrubs have at least six to eight inches of top soil brought in. Flowers, vegetables or herbs can get by with four to six inches. Use some natural compost pile or add some mushroom compost to the ground. Rake the bed out evenly.
• Position your plants the way you want, and go ahead and put them in the ground. Your Garden Project - How To Plant And Place Shrubs And Flowers. shares how to properly place your shrubs and flowers. This aspect is also very important. With all the different products and materials out today, go ahead and create your own special raised garden or gardens.