The soaring cost of many basic food items, coupled with a general downturn in the economy, is enough to make the idea of growing your own food look appealing. For some, it can become a real necessity. For others, homegrown vegetables simply taste better.

At the same time, there are simple lessons to be learned before you can become a successful gardener. They are not complicated, for the most part and can be mastered with a little care and attention.

Looking for a better way to grow vegetables this year? Consider constructing a raised bed. The advantages far outweigh the initial investment of time and money.

Most gardeners find that raised beds are easier to maintain and promote better plant growth. Walking in a garden causes soil compaction, which can cause problems with drainage and oxygen availability to plant roots. It's also more difficult to weed when soil is compacted. With a raised bed, you can plant, weed and harvest without ever walking on the soil.

Raised beds can be filled with high-quality soil, and it's easy to add compost or other organic matter. Long-rooted plants, such as carrots, do especially well in this environment, because there are no stones to hinder their development.

Plants in raised beds get more sun and air circulation and they can make better use of water. You often can plant earlier and harvest later, because raised beds warm up early in the spring and stay warm later in the fall.

Raised beds also make ideal places to grow plants that can be invasive in a regular garden such as mints and horseradish. But ease and convenience is the benefit many gardeners appreciate the most. If you get a bad back and sore knees every year from gardening, a raised bed may put an end to those aches and pains.

Raised vegetable beds are excellent for gardeners who have trouble with their backs and older people who don't have limited flexibility. They are also excellent for people in wheelchairs or with other disabilities and those who don't want to spend the summer on their knees in the garden.

To install a raised bed, first choose a sunny location and decide on the size and shape you want. Some gardeners till the soil before building raised beds, to provide additional room for root development.

Construct the frame with a nontoxic building material, such as stone, cinder blocks, bricks, untreated wood or fiberglass. Some garden centers and catalogs now offer raised bed frames that snap together and can easily be taken apart such as Frame It All.

Make sure the frame is between 12 and 16 inches high and is sturdy enough to hold together when filled with soil. If you use boards, they must be secured at the corners with metal braces or screws, or nailed to a reinforcing block of wood inside the corners if you nail into the ends of boards, they will split.

Fill the frame with a good-quality lightweight soil mix and add a generous amount of compost. Avoid using soil straight from the garden. It usually is too heavy and doesn't allow for proper drainage.

A well-constructed raised bed should last for years, and soil fertility can be maintained by adding organic matter. Raised beds have been used for centuries and with good reason; they're better for many plants and they're easier on gardeners.

Source and edited from: Penn State, Agricultural Information Services
UMass Extension Agriculture and Landscape Program

Raised Garden Beds by Gronomics®

Raised Garden Beds are great for small plots of veggies and/or flowers. With these beds you eliminate tilling, soil amending and minimize weeding. Constructed of 100% Western Red Cedar, let the Cedar weather naturally stain it to your preferred color, or they now offer a “Natural Stained Finish”. It comes in a boxed kit with easy to follow Tool-FREE instructions. These beds can simply be set up in five minutes. Place beds in an ideal sun location, add soil, and plant. Easily adapt square Foot Gardening techniques to these beds.

	Raised Garden Bed Two Tier Product Dimensions: 34"W x 95"L x 13" H Garden Dimensions: 94"L x 32"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 18 Cubic Feet
	Raised Garden Bed Two Tier 34 - 34 Product Dimensions: 34"W x 34"L x 13" H Garden Dimensions: 32"L x 32"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 6 Cubic Feet
	Raised Garden Bed Two Tier 48 - 48 Product Dimensions: 48"W x 48"L x 13" H Garden Dimensions: 46.25"L x 46.25"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 13 Cubic Feet
	Raised Garden Bed Three Tier Product Dimensions: 34"W x 95"L x 19" H Garden Dimensions: 94"L x 32"W x 15.75"Depth Soil Capacity: 27 Cubic Feet
	Raised Garden Bed Three Tier 34 - 34 Product Dimensions: 34"W x 34"L x 19" H Garden Dimensions: 32"L x 32"W x 15.75"Depth Soil Capacity: 9 Cubic Feet
	Raised Garden Bed Three Tier 48 - 48 Product Dimensions: 48"W x 48"L x 19" H Garden Dimensions: 46.25"L x 46.25"W x 15.75"Depth Soil Capacity: 19 Cubic Feet

Trellis Kits by Gronomics®

Grow vertically with our trellis kit – saves space and maximize your growing area.

	Raised Garden Bed DL Trellis Kit Product Dimensions: 80"H x 96"W
	Raised Garden Bed TL Trellis Kit Product Dimensions: 80"H x 96"W

Elevated Garden Benches by Gronomics®

Excellent for small patios, decks, condos and apartments, anywhere you'd like to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers. The Elevated Garden Bed eliminates bending over while gardening and is perfect for gardeners with mobility and back strain issues. Constructed of 100% Western Red Cedar, let the Cedar weather naturally, stain it to your preferred color, or they now offer a “Natural Stained Finish”. It comes in a boxed kit with easy to follow Tool-FREE instructions. These planters set up in five minutes. Place the custom-cut piece of landscape fabric in the bottom of the bed, add soil of your choice, and plant a vegetables, herb, or flowers garden today!

	Elevated Garden Bed 18 - 34 Product Dimensions: 18"W x 34"L x 32" H Garden Dimensions: 32"L x 15.5"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 3 Cubic Feet
	Elevated Garden Bed 24 - 48 Product Dimensions: 24"W x 48"L x 30" H Garden Dimensions: 46.25"L x 22"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 6 Cubic Feet
	Elevated Garden Bed 34 - 48 Product Dimensions: 34"W x 48"L x 32" H Garden Dimensions: 46.25"L x 32"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 9 Cubic Feet

Planter Bench by Gronomics®

Invite friends and family to your backyard garden, now there's plenty of room to sit and relax. The Planter Bench is constructed of 100% Western Red Cedar, and comes in a boxed kit with easy to follow instructions. Let the Cedar weather naturally, stain it to your preferred color, or they now offer a “Natural Stained Finish”. Place the custom-cut piece of landscape fabric in the bottom of each planter box, add soil of your choice and plant colorful plants or flowers to enhance the look.

Planter Bench (Two Boxes) Product Dimensions: 24"W x 82"L x 36"H Garden Dimensions: 22"L x 15.5"W x 10.5"Depth Soil Capacity: 4 Cubic Feet

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