What is a Raised Bed Herb Garden?

A raised bed garden is a garden that is above ground and contained in an area with high sides.The gardener walks between the beds and it is a very organized way to garden. It can be any depth you choose and can be used for virtually anything you wish to plant. Herbs grown in raised beds have an advantage over in the ground growing for a few reasons.

First, the soil in a raised bed will warm sooner in the spring because it is raised up above the frost. Raised beds allow gardening in poor soil areas, production is improved, and you gain accessibility, due to the higher than ground level plants and herbs. Many herb farmers use a combination of raised beds with in the ground planting to extend their growing season as long as possible.

Building a Raised Garden

Making a raised bed garden only requires some muscle and a few items. Frames for the raised bed can be made out of many materials like untreated wood, cement bricks, rocks and bricks. Do not use railroad ties or other treated woods for an edible garden. Once you have your frame built to the correct size you want your garden to be, fill it with topsoil and the best organic matter you can find. The added expense of adding soil to the garden frames will even out when you consider that you will never walk on it and there will be no need to keep adding organic matter due to erosion or compaction from people walking on it. A raised bed garden may cost more in the beginning, but it pays off in the long run.

Problems

The problem with raised beds is that the cost outlay is high. You must fill the boxes with the best dirt possible because you are starting from nothing. You also may find that you did not build the boxes quite large enough and need more room. This means more outlay of money and having your garden smaller than you wanted. Raised beds are a wonderful way to garden and with the smaller yards becoming the norm, they are a good way to get the homegrown goodness of a few herbs in a tighter space.