Rise Above Soil Problems

If poor soil is turning your gardening pleasure into pain, there is a way to rise above it - build raised beds. Raised beds can be simple or elaborate. In their simplest form, you create raised beds by mounding good soil over bad. Bringing in a few feet of quality topsoil and placing it on top of poorly drained or heavy clay soil, won't permanently solve your soil problems, but it will provide enough rooting space for many plants to thrive.

More elaborate raised beds can be built using materials like stone or wood as walls to hold soil in place. Such raised beds are more expensive to build, but they help organize a yard and can be an attractive physical part of the landscape.

Wood-raised beds are particularly useful for vegetables or flowers. They should be constructed of rot-resistant redwood or cedar for maximum longevity. A simple 4- by 8-foot design made of 2 stacked 2 x 10 side pieces with corners anchored by short 4 x 4 posts, is easy to reach across and a comfortable height for sitting on the edge (add a 2 x 6 cap to the edge for even more comfortable seating).

Fill the bed with quality soil, rich in organic matter. Sterile potting soil is ideal, although a bit expensive. Plan ahead and install main lines for drip irrigation before you finish the beds. Then enjoy gardening in great soil.