High beds in the country with their own hands

What only amateur gardeners do not come up with for a good harvest.

Today we will introduce you to an unusual technology - growing crops in high beds.

Advantages and disadvantages of high beds

High beds are limited space, elevated above the ground.. They are used for growing vegetables and other crops. It is best to build such facilities in the fall, but with proper maintenance, you can create a “raised” site at other times of the year.

As with any decision related to the cultivation of vegetable crops, it has its advantages and disadvantages.

We list the advantages of high beds:

• in spring, the soil warms up faster, and it is possible to sow much earlier than in open ground; This will increase the yield by 2 times;
• due to the borders of the box, the mulch will not be washed away or carried away in case of wind gusts;
• the design provides good drainage - this will avoid stagnant moisture;
• there is the possibility of individual selection of soil for each plot, which will provide optimal conditions for growing crops;
• due to the design it is possible to protect the crop from sudden changes in temperature;
• it is much easier to work the soil, as the amount of work is significantly reduced;
• raised areas are convenient because you don’t have to lean much toward the plants;
• the building looks beautiful, with the right approach to the building will last a long time and will not collapse;
• can be built in any sunny place.

Despite the huge number of advantages, this method has its drawbacks. The downsides of high beds are:

• the need to constantly carry out feeding because of the limited space;
• physical and material investments necessary for the construction of the structure;
• the risk of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that may be dangerous to plants.

Do not be afraid of possible difficulties - seriously enough to approach the construction of an unusual design, and you get a rich harvest.

Optimal size

Each gardener can independently choose the size of the future bed, as there are no well-established dimensions. However, there are certain recommendations that may be useful when you build high beds with your own hands.

Height

The optimum height of the boards varies from 15 to 50 cm. If you plan to place the structure on fertile soil, it is necessary to limit to a height of 15-20 cm. This amount of embankment is quite enough to get a good harvest.

If the land on the plot is not very favorable for growing crops, the bed should be raised higher - about 50 cm. Depending on the wishes of gardeners, you can raise the walls of the structure even higher - in this case you will not have to bend during weeding or disembarking. But remember that this design will require more materials.

Width and length

The optimal width of the building is considered to be a distance from 90 to 120 cm. It is necessary to equip the site so that he could fit in 2 rows. This layout will allow the plants to get enough air and sunlight, which will undoubtedly affect the yield.

If you plant a lot of rows, it is likely that the bushes in the center will not receive the necessary amount of air and light, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Ridge standard width is convenient to handle.

Reflecting on the length of the site, you can be guided solely by the capabilities of the territory. However, most often there are structures with a length of 1.5 to 3 m. Such areas look compact and neat.

Choosing a place on the dacha

It is very important to take a responsible approach to the choice of the place where the structure will be located in the future. It is better to have high beds in the country in sunny areas: the light should come to this place at least 6 hours a day.Be sure to consider this requirement if you plan to place the structure near any buildings or fence.

When placing the embankment on open ground, you should adhere to the following recommendations.:

• put a metal grid on the soil - this will protect the plant roots from rodents;
• Lay out old newspapers at the bottom of the structure - this technique will significantly slow down the growth of weeds.

It is not recommended to use wooden flooring or a terrace for the construction of the beds, since the tree will quickly begin to rot when in contact with water.

Material selection and step by step instructions for making

For the construction of high beds can be used a variety of materials. We offer to get acquainted with the most common types of structures and features of their manufacture.

Wooden construction

This material, perhaps, is a classic for creating beds. It attracts gardeners for its availability. For manufacturing, you can use boards and logs.

We advise you to use a small instruction:

1. Before you begin to build buildings, you need to process the boards. For this you can use all sorts of impregnation that will prevent the decomposition of the tree. You can also varnish or paint the boards. Lime is the safest and most affordable way to cut wood - it is enough to just whitewash the elements.
2. With the help of an ordinary tool you need to attach the bars to the boards. To do this, it is necessary to nail the posts to the edges of the short boards. Long boards are also connected to the bars. Choose the bars so that they are 20-30 cm left in the ground.
3. In the next step, knock down the box. Try to avoid cracks, boards should fit snugly to the bars.
4. The final stage is the installation of the mounted box. After you score the bars into the ground, check with a level to see if it is level.

After installing the structure, you can fill it with soil and start planting plants.

Stone use

Undoubtedly, there can be no doubt about the durability of such a structure. But because of the high cost of the material, not everyone can afford such beauty. If you find money for a stone bed, it will be a great decoration for the summer cottage.

Instructions for the manufacture of such a structure includes the following steps:

• it is necessary to dig a trench around the perimeter of the proposed site, 30 cm deep;
• lay on the bottom of polyethylene or roofing material;
• we fill the trench with sand at a third of the depth;
• we put stones;
• we carry out filling of the concrete base with in advance prepared solution;
• then it is laid on the perimeter using a mortar that is applied only on the inside of the stone;
• After 2-3 weeks, you can fill in the soil and plant the plants.

Brick beds

Having built a high brick bed, you undoubtedly decorate the site. This design is very similar to a stone structure: it has the same construction principle and relatively high cost of materials.

In addition to the cost of materials and a long manufacturing process, you will have to find a specialist who can lay out a beautiful even composition.

Out slate

This material is distinguished by its durability. Everyone in the country has unwanted pieces of slate, which are just useful for the construction of high beds.

We offer you to read the instructions for making:

1. The first is the preparation of materials: it is necessary to cut the plates and give them the desired size.
2. At the next stage, a trench is being dug up according to pre-determined dimensions.
3. Chopped slate plates are placed in the excavated hole around the perimeter. If you use a flat slate, you need to connect the strips with the help of corners - this will give a reliable design.
4. Then you need to fill the trench with soil and tamp it well.

That's all - the design of slate is ready and you can start sowing crops.

From plastic

The beds of plastic can be of two types. The first is the use of plastic panels. In this case, it is almost ideal for creating designs. It has excellent thermal insulation, has a long service life and allows you to create a bed of any shape.

Such blanks can be purchased in specialized stores. The principle of construction is the same as in the case of slate.

Another option is to make a bed of plastic bottles. However, this is not a good way, as tightness is out of the question. In addition, plastic bottles quickly deform, which over time will make the area is not very attractive.

From straw and twigs

One of the cheap materials for the manufacture of beds - straw. Bales have an affordable price, so a similar way to build beds is the most budget.

To make the necessary construction, it is necessary to lay cardboard on the ground, put bales on it in rows and fasten them with a wire to shape them.

Before planting, straw must be prepared: in the fall and spring, it is plentifully watered and fertilized with special means.

You can also build a ridge of branches. To do this, you will need the branches and spunbond. Step by step instruction is as follows:

1. Pegs are dug in along the perimeter of the intended landing area.
2. Then these pegs are twined with branches, as if you are making a basket.
3. Small branches should be decomposed into the garden itself - they will act as a drainage.
4. Along the perimeter it is necessary to lay the spanbond, a little digging it into the ground and placing it on the fence. It is necessary to retain soil and water, otherwise the earth will simply fall through the bars.
5. Put old newspapers or cardboard on top of small branches - they will not let the weeds break through.
6. At the final stage, the plot is covered with soil.

The main points in the arrangement of high beds in the country

Despite the fact that, making the beds, you can choose their height, you should not go beyond 70 cm.It is this height that is optimal and allows you to create a plot with suitable soil for the further cultivation of plants. Raising the ground, you can minimize the appearance of various diseases of crops, as well as minimize the chemical treatment of plants.

To make the construction durable, the material used to build it needs to be driven into the ground at about half the height of the sheet.

In order to get a good harvest, it is recommended to lay a layer of compost on the bottom before filling the structure with soil.

If you decide to build several rows, the paths between them can be decorated with green lawn grass. Such a decision will make the site more beautiful.

Now you know how to make high beds, and you can not only increase the yield, but also decorate the dacha with an original and useful structure.