Raised Beds and Containers for Vegetable Gardening

By Jos Van Hage

If you want to put in a garden but do not have the space or good soil there are ways of getting around this.

Permanent raised beds or containers make excellent gardens, and have been used throughout gardening history.  Permanent beds can be constructed with wood treated with copper, brick, or stone and can be anywhere from 18 inches in height to 3 feet or higher if you want. The higher raised beds are excellent for those gardeners who may not be able to garden due to back problems, or are in wheelchairs. Do not make them any wider than 4-5 feet as you want to be able to reach into them and they can be as long as you want but usually or no longer than 12 feet.

Raised beds have many advantages as they warm up more quickly in the spring because they are above ground so the gardener is able to get a head start and they can be accessed through all kinds of weather as they are often surrounded by rock, grass or mulch. Also because they are above ground they tend to be well drained if you are using a good quality soil. It is very important to use a high quality soil that has a pH between 6.5 – 7, and it must be rich in nutrients and should have good drainage. If you are not sure about the condition of the soil, do a soil test and if it needs a lot of amendments it may be better to start fresh and purchase soil.

Raised beds can also prolong the gardening season if you add a plastic, or a glass cover, converting it into a cold frame which protects plants from early spring, or late summer frosts. Another nice feature is that they are easy to maintain and because you are not walking on top of the soil, the soil does not get compacted.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing a spot to build a permanent raised bed is that it should receive a minimum of 8 hours of sunshine every day, there should be easy access to water as you will need to water it more often than if it were a regular garden, and if possible find a spot that has some shelter from the climate where there is no strong winds (you do however want some air circulation as stagnant air can cause plant diseases).

If space is limited to only a balcony or patio you can still grow some of your own vegetables.

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and salads, green onions, chives, strawberries, compact squashes and many herbs all can be grown very successfully in containers. If the container is large enough you can grow several types of herbs, or salad crops mixed with green onions or chives, in one container. By planting some vegetables such as the salad crops early or by planting a few plants in 2 week intervals you will be able to harvest salads throughout the summer. Cucumbers, peppers, and squash are best if grown in their own container. The container can be made of plastic, clay, wood, ceramic, cement etc. but they should be at least 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep and have some drainage. Always use good quality soil and fertilize every week.

Container growing or permanent raised beds is a good alternative to having a vegetable garden if space, ability, or soil is a problem.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in Prince George:

• Highway 16 West at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road

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