Permanent Beds (Thoughts From the Garden Episode 4)

Why Permanent Beds are Better Than Rows for Gardens

The first part of garden basics is the permanent beds. I like raised beds made out of wood frames, boxes about 6 inches deep. The best part about raised beds as opposed to rows is that you will never need to rototill or dig the garden again. The prime tool for hand preparation is a hand rake. Because you never walk on the beds, the soil never gets compacted. Also, the soil stays loose so it dries out quickly in the spring meaning it can be planted earlier in the season. When you water or fertilize, you only apply water or fertilizer where the plants are growing, not in between rows where weeds are growing.