Garden Club of Cape Coral | Raised garden beds
By JAN BARGMANN
news@breezenewspapers.com
Through trial and error, I’ve learned a few secrets to successful gardening in Southwest Florida. One of the most helpful is using raised garden beds. They make planting and maintenance easier, especially for gardeners who want to reduce bending, reaching and strain.
Raised garden beds offer many advantages, including easier access, better soil control, fewer weeds and reduced exposure to soil-based insects and small pests.
Before choosing or building a raised bed, consider the practical factors that will shape its size, placement, and long-term care.
• Do you have enough space for the bed and safe access around it?
• What do you want to grow: flowers, vegetables, fruit or ornamental plants?
• How much sun or shade does the location receive during the day?
• Do you have the tools needed to install and maintain the garden?
• Will you garden seasonally or year-round?
Start with space. Place raised beds away from structures and allow a stable surface around them for safe standing and walking. A raised bed can be almost any size, but a width of 3 to 4 feet is recommended to reduce strain from reaching and bending during maintenance. The bed can be adapted to fit your space: U-shaped, long and narrow, elevated on a stand or placed directly on the ground. Beds may be purchased pre-made or built on site. Pre-made options are available at big-box stores, garden centers and online. If the bed is built on site, use composite lumber, PVC, concrete or modern pressure-treated lumber, also known as Alkaline Copper Quaternary lumber. ACQ lumber is treated with copper preservatives and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for food production. Avoid older treated lumber and railroad ties because they may attract insect pests or contain harmful chemicals. If space is limited, community gardens, such as those at the Rotary Community Garden, located next to City Hall, may be another option.
You will need a few basic tools to set up and maintain a raised bed. Helpful items include a wheelbarrow for moving soil and mulch; a shovel, rake and trowel for planting; a tape measure or string for marking rows and plant spacing; a watering can or hose; plant supports such as stakes or cages; a kneeling pad or seat pad for comfort while reaching into the bed; and garden gloves to protect your hands. A trash can and hand rake are also useful for cleanup.
Once the bed is in place, choose the right soil and prepare the bed carefully. A soil test will identify the soil’s pH, and the Lee County Extension office provides soil testing. Depending on the crop, nutrients can be added to bring the pH to the recommended level. For most vegetables, a pH range of 6.2 to 7.2 is recommended.
A good potting mix should hold moisture, drain well and provide nutrients. For raised beds, this usually means starting with raised-bed soil and adding compost for nutrients and structure. A mix of 60% raised-bed soil, 30 % compost and 10% other organic material creates a strong base. Topsoil is not recommended because it compacts too quickly. Raised beds need a lighter mix that may include peat moss, perlite or bark. A slow-release, balanced fertilizer for vegetables can also be added. A 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch, such as shredded leaves, straw or chipped wood, helps regulate moisture and temperature. A base layer of plain cardboard can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture; remove any labels, tape or plastic before use. Research shows that price is not a reliable indicator of soil quality, so look for soil that is light, drains well and contains organic matter.
A planting plan helps you decide where each plant should go. Place taller plants where they will not shade smaller ones. Rake the soil surface smooth with a rake or straight board, then mark plant spacing with a tape measure or string line. For grid-style planting, use a square to keep rows even. If you are planting transplants, dig holes at the marked spots. If you are planting seeds, use a trowel to make furrows or individual holes at the depth recommended for the seed size. After planting, water immediately and gently so seeds and plants stay in place. Keep the top layer of soil consistently moist until seeds sprout. Use row covers to protect young plants from birds, mulch lightly after seeds germinate and label rows or plants so you know what is growing where.
Because Southwest Florida weather can be unpredictable, raised beds need consistent irrigation. Early morning is the preferred time for watering. Drip irrigation can be installed and connected to a timer to control the time of day and length of watering. With the right location, materials, soil, tools, irrigation and planting plan, raised beds can make gardening in Southwest Florida more manageable, productive, and enjoyable.
For more details and instructions on building your raised garden see UF-IFAS Publication #ENH1211 Gardening in Raised Beds. For recommended varieties, plant spacing, and fertilizer rates, follow the guidelines in the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Jan Bargmann is a Master Gardener, and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram.