Sunshet Agrosuccess - protecting plants from sunburn and drought. Beds for the lazy: photos, ideas, ways to implement them Arrangement of a high bed in spring

high beds in the garden - this is somewhat unusual for an unpretentious gardener, three or four decades ago they did not hear about such people, at best, propping up a board with pegs on the slope. But times have changed, entered our lives landscape design, designing a garden and a kitchen garden, we do everything according to science, aesthetically and practically.

Benefits of raised beds

• it is not difficult to make high beds, even one pensioner can do it
• high beds are easy to maintain
• garden area looks neat and tidy
• garden beds are perfect for small garden(at small sizes 1x1 m will fit into any corner of the garden)
• high beds perfect solution on stony and poor soils
• high beds - the only way out if the groundwater is close and the soil is moist
• such beds allow you to extend the growing time, because they are ready to meet vegetables in the spring at an earlier date
• help to avoid the germination of a huge number of weeds

Disadvantages of high beds

• With frequent watering, water can stagnate.
• In hot, dry weather, the soil dries out quickly.
• Some material costs are required for their construction

Materials for high beds

• Wood: planks of any available material treated with an environmentally friendly anti-rot agent.

The best wood material is non-rotting varieties, such as larch. Larch boards 5 cm thick will lie on the ground for decades without signs of damage, but they are very expensive. The cheapest material is pine, it is also the most short-lived. The best option for boards made of oak or ash.

The dimensions of the boards are 5 × 20 cm, the length of the beds is any size.

• You can also use concrete blocks or bricks. But you need to know that concrete gradually raises the pH level in the soil. This is easy to check and fix.

Which garden fence is better

Beds with wooden fencing if desired, you can move around the site, they take up less space, are cheap and quick to install, but also less durable.

Concrete beds are a capital structure, you can’t move it if you wish, the sides of brick and concrete fences are quite wide, they occupy a certain area, the construction of such sides will require more skill, experience and money, but they are more reliable.

We do not consider fences made of slate or polycarbonate in this topic, since these are no longer high beds, but the most common ones, with a perimeter. Neither slate nor polycarbonate can withstand the load at a height of beds of 30 cm or more.

There is really another option - natural stone. If you wish, you can build amazingly beautiful fences for beds and flower beds from it, they are reliable and beautiful, but they require a lot of physical effort and time - you need to collect a lot of stones.

Raised bed sizes

The height of the raised beds can be any, the minimum is 25 cm, if the beds are located on ordinary soil that is quite suitable for a vegetable garden. If the soil is rocky, poorly drained, poor or wet, the height of the sides of the beds should start from 30-35 cm and above, literally up to 70 cm.

What width of the beds is more convenient: best option from 40 to 80 cm, someone prefers wider - up to 100 cm. If you grow large vegetables - eggplant or cabbage, and plant in two rows, then the width of the beds is at least 100-120 cm. If in one row, then 50-60 see. If the bed is adjacent to the wall of the building on one side, then its width is equal to the length of your arm.

The length of the high bed can be any - from 1 m to 4-5 m. In general, it all depends on the territory of the garden. Various configurations of beds are possible: hexagonal, T-shaped or W-shaped, but retaining the ability to reach a berry or vegetable with your hand.

Sometimes gardeners tend to make not a simple fence of beds from boards, but with wide sides - transverse beam so that it is comfortable to sit, like in a children's sandbox. But this is impractical - the soil under the crossbar will dry for a long time, and the boards will rot in the corners. If you feel like sitting down, you can use a folding chair.

Too wide sides of concrete beds take up a lot of space and are justified only if they fit into the design of the garden.

Beds from boards

Tool and material

• boards of the required length and width
• bars 40x40 (4 pieces per bed) according to the height of the sides
• or metal corners
• roulette
• level
• miter box
• hacksaw
• screwdriver (screwdriver)
• self-tapping screws

DIY board beds

To the garden rectangular shape two long sides are needed (along the length of the beds) and two short ones (in width). If the planned height of the sides exceeds the width of the boards, then the boards will be sewn - two or three boards fastened together with small boards from the inside every 70-80 cm.

We saw off the boards along the miter box so that the saw cuts are even, and the edges of the bed box fit perfectly. And adjust the height so that there are no gaps between the boards. If the boards are uneven, a planer will help you.

By the way, it is easier to work with a dry tree, if it has just been brought from a warehouse, leave it to dry under a canopy for two weeks. If you are using very strong wood, before attaching the boards, drill holes for the self-tapping screws with a thin drill.

There are two ways to fix the sidewalls of the beds:

• at the corners of the box there are bars 40x40 or 50x50, to which the ends and sides are attached with self-tapping screws
• or all walls are fastened with metal corners

The fastened box must be treated with a solution of rot and, if desired, painted with paint on water based for outdoor work.

Features of installing beds from boards

I will share personal experience two options for installing beds.

When I put my first bed, I dug a shallow trench around the perimeter of the box. And so that the boards do not rot, the lower edge of the boards, which ended up in the ground, was “sheathed” in roofing material. The boards were pretreated with impregnation. However, with precipitation, water accumulated in the cover and the boards soon began to deteriorate.

They learn from mistakes - the next year I dismantled the sides and leveled the site, re-treated the box with impregnation and installed it directly on the surface of the soil. Drainage was done in every bed, even in a dry area. Now the boards dry quickly and are ready to serve for a long time.

Garden beds with concrete fence

Materials and tools

• construction sand-concrete mix
• for reinforcement wire 6 mm or welded mesh 45x45 or 50x50
• electric drill with mortar nozzle
• trough or other container
• Master OK
• boards and timber for formwork
• nails

How to make a garden bed out of concrete

cook concrete mortar it's not tricky - pour a mixture of sand and cement with water and mix thoroughly. But first you need to prepare a form for pouring - a wooden formwork.

It can be made from old plywood or boards, given the width of the future border. Optimal Thickness concrete fence at least 15 cm.

Draw on the ground the dimensions of the future beds. Install the formwork on the level, it should fit snugly to the ground at all points. Some gardeners dig formwork into trenches 10-15 cm deep, but this is superfluous if the site is flat.

When we are convinced that the formwork is level, pour the solution and immerse the reinforcement. If the sides of the beds are planned to be wide (about 20 cm), it is better to place two layers of reinforcement - one along the inner perimeter, the other closer to the outer.

Remove the formwork after the concrete has dried.

Brick beds

Materials and tools

• brick
• building sand-cement mixture
• Master OK
• level
• pegs with rope for marking
• rubber mallet for fitting
• smooth long bar for fitting and leveling masonry

How to make a brick garden

Only beds and flower beds with a border made of new fresh brick look beautiful, with fitted masonry strictly according to the level. If you are not a master of laying bricks evenly, it is better to invite a specialist.

But if you decide to make the sides yourself, spend preparatory work. It is necessary to drive pegs along the inner perimeter of the beds, pull the rope tightly along which the masonry will go. Next, the most important thing is to lay the first row evenly so that the brick does not walk: prepare a trench, at least half the height of the brick. Lay out the first row of bricks without mortar. Check the horizontal level in all planes. Lay a flat board or block - there should be no gaps between it and a row of bricks.

Only after the estimate is made, you can start laying out the sides on the solution. Continue to check each row by level and bar.

Preparing beds for planting

When the fence of the high bed is ready, we proceed to prepare it for planting vegetables or berries.

If the soil on the site is not poor, it makes sense to remove the sod inside the beds, and then the fertile layer of earth located under it about 15 cm. Remove it and put it in a wheelbarrow. Now lay the sod again.

At the bottom of the beds we pour a layer of gravel as drainage. Drainage is especially necessary in narrow beds with sides made of concrete, stones and bricks. From rodents rampant on suburban area, the plants will be saved by a fine-mesh net, the edges of which need to be knocked out to the sides with a construction stapler.

Now we fill the bed with fertile soil mixed with compost and fertilizers. The soil should reach almost to the very top of the sides, 2-3 cm lower.

If the height of the fence is small - 20-25 cm, you can dig a trench inside the bed, a depth of a shovel bayonet, lay tree branches on the bottom, then a layer of fertile soil mixed with compost.

If you would like to grow a vegetable garden plant remains instead of chemical fertilizers, then you can fill the beds in this way: sand or drainage to the bottom (if spring flooding of sites is frequent), then about 30 cm of various organic waste: tops, leaves, mowed grass (excluding weeds), straw, tree bark, cleaning, peel. Now the bed can be watered with Baikal solution or other means that improve the soil-forming process. The next layer is manure or humus. Then a layer of fertile soil of at least 10 cm.

At this, the beds are ready to meet seedlings and seeds of vegetables and berries.

N. M. Osokin, gardener, Nizhny Novgorod region

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A dacha is not just a plot for growing and harvesting. For many, this is a favorite place to relax and implement ideas for. Often the disembarkation method vegetable crops relegated to the background, but this is not right, because from them interesting location and attractive appearance largely depends on the appearance of the entire landscape. This article tells you the easiest way to make beds for the lazy at the dacha. Photos and descriptions of the most successful ideas, as well as ways to implement them, should help make your site comfortable and well-groomed.

Tall structures made of boards for planting crops will be the highlight of any site

A garden bed is most often a fenced plot of land intended for growing a certain type of plant.

• Slate.

Usually this material is used only if it is available (for example, left after the repair of the roof).

• Plastic.

The main feature of plastic is that it can be given any shape, so it is great for round or other curved fit options. In addition, it is not affected by rain and low temperatures, so it will last a long time without losing its original attractiveness.

An expensive and durable option.

• A natural stone.

It produces the most spectacular bumpers that will serve for many years. Unlike bricks, stones have irregular shape, which will allow you to make landscape design in eco-style. Disadvantages of stone ledges: high cost and gradual sinking into the soil under the influence of its own weight, so such a ledge must be periodically checked and corrected.

Qualitatively made with your own hands from improvised materials will serve for many years, but for good harvest its correct location is also necessary.

Placing beds in the garden: how to arrange, photos, tips

The quality and quantity of the crop depends on the proper location of the beds in the summer cottage, so this issue should be given special attention. First of all, you need to know the following:

• The beds located on the cardinal points (from north to south) are a good solution only for low plants on a flat horizontal area.
• If the site has a slope that cannot be leveled, the beds should be across it regardless of orientation.
• It is desirable to make rows of one plant of the same size. This will make it easier to calculate the amount of fertilizer, the degree of irrigation and planting.
• If the site has multidirectional slopes, choose the south side (the crop will ripen faster on it).

On the small areas often there is a lack of free horizontal areas for planting. If this is your case, try one of the following ideas:

• Create vertical designs.

• Use unused items for planting plants (for example, a wheelbarrow, a barrel, and so on).
• Attach the bed to the recreation area.

How best to make beds in the garden - options

The beds are classified according to design features, with the following types:

• Traditional (flush with the rest of the site, dimensions make it easy to reach the center from any side (right or left)).

• High (30-40 cm above ground level, contribute to the most rapid maturation harvest).

• Deep (during the device, a trench is dug 20-30 cm deep, due to which the earth most often does not freeze through, and the landing can be carried out earlier).
• Narrow (for example, according to the Mittlider method, described in detail in the next chapter).
• Vertical (an excellent solution for small areas, but not all plants can be planted in this way).

Related article:

How to make beds from boards with your own hands

Now let's look at how to properly make beds in a garden made of wood. This material is the most common when arranging beds. Board structures have the following advantages:

• Reliability.

The tree perfectly retains moisture inside the row, and also does not deform for a long time.

• Low cost.

This material often remains after construction. If it was not there, you can buy boards at a fairly low price.

• Ease of installation.

The main thing - high-quality processing wood, if this is not done, insects and moisture will quickly destroy the structure.

• Attractive appearance.

Wood is a material ideal for eco-style beds.

The only drawback of board structures is their fragility (in comparison, for example, with plastic or brick). However, the ability to quickly and least cost to change them more than covers it.

How to make a bed of boards with your own hands: photos, dimensions, installation sequence

If you decide to do wooden structure, first of all, you need to choose the type of tree:

• Oak or ash- hardwoods, the boards of which are perfect in this case, but their price is quite high.
• Pine- cheap, but short-lived. You can extend the life of such a fence with the help of periodic chemical treatment.
• Cedar or larch– the best price-quality ratio. Due to the presence of resin in the data conifers, there is no need to process them.
• Acacia- also a great option for arranging beds.

What are optimal dimensions board beds? First you need to decide on the height of the structure, which depends on the following factors:

• Features of the planted culture.

Some vegetables require a certain depth (for example, for potatoes, the planting depth must be at least 40 cm).

• Soil fertility.

If the soil is fertile, the sides can be made 10-15 cm high. If fertile soil is required to be backfilled, 30 cm or more.

• Bed type.

For example, for warm temperatures, a height of 50 cm or more is typical.

The length of the row can be any, but it is not recommended to make it too long for two reasons: it will be an obstacle to moving around the garden, the wooden structure will have to be further strengthened with oblique or vertical pegs.

The most important parameter when arranging beds in the country is their width, since ease of use largely depends on it. If you make it too wide, it will be problematic to reach its center. Therefore, the maximum value of the width is considered to be 100 cm.

In most cases (if the planned structure does not have too much complex shape) it will not be difficult to make a bed of boards with your own hands. The size of the boards depends on the size of the future beds, however, if you only have material of insufficient length at your disposal, it does not matter, several boards can always be spliced ​​in length.

The procedure for the construction of a wooden structure:

• Territory preparation.

At this stage, it is necessary to level and dig the site for the structure.

For a rectangular structure, it is necessary to connect 4 boards and attach support bars to them, which should be 20-30 cm longer than future sides. They need to be slightly sharpened with an ax from the free side (to simplify entry into the ground).

• Construction installation.

We hammer the structure into the ground, while it is important to use the level to achieve maximum evenness of the structure.

• Surface treatment of boards.

First of all, the surface is primed (to protect against moisture and pests), then covered oil paint(optional, you can leave the color of the tree).

• Backfill.

The composition depends on the type of construction and the selected culture. But in all cases, the first layer should be drainage.

Most often, they try to plant only one crop in one area, but sometimes they practice joint planting of vegetables in the garden. However, it is worth remembering that not all plants get along with each other. Therefore, the following is a table of compatibility of vegetables in the beds.

Related article:

Interesting ideas come to the mind of many summer residents and owners of private houses. In the article, we will consider original photo examples and several instructions for creating such beauty.

Mixed planting of vegetables in the garden: examples, photos

More and more summer residents are interested in obtaining not only a large harvest, but also an environmentally friendly one. Therefore, the question arises, how to achieve a quality crop without resorting to chemicals?

Perfect solution - mixed fit vegetables. After all, some cultures have a beneficial effect on each other. However, in this matter it is worth being extremely careful, since not all plants like any kind of neighborhood at all.

Thanks to the science of "allelopathy", a table of the neighborhood of vegetables in the garden has been compiled, using which you can significantly reduce the use chemicals for pest control and fertilizer.

Neighborhood of vegetables in the beds - compatibility table

The table below reflects the compatibility of vegetables in the garden. Planting using this information will ensure a quality crop with minimum investment funds.

Mixed planting vegetables in the garden: examples with photos and tips

Each benevolent or unfriendly neighborhood of vegetables in the garden has its own rationale. For example, strawberries and onions are great neighbors. Onions protect the berry from rot and disease, and if parsley is also planted nearby, it eliminates the appearance of slugs.

Onions are also a great companion for most garden crops, as they keep pests away. The most interesting neighborhood this plant- with carrots. Both cultures have their own pest - the onion and carrot fly, and the first one cannot stand the smell of carrots, and the second - onions.

Garlic is excellent for pest control, making it a good companion for most crops. However, it is not recommended to plant it next to plants of the legume family, since the latter are leaders in the fence. nutrients, and garlic needs quite a lot of them.

Joint cultivation of crops in the garden can be detrimental to other vegetables. For example, tomatoes should not be planted with cucumbers, as they require varying degrees of watering. Thus, the proximity of these two crops will create difficulties in processing (there will be a need for spot irrigation, which will take much more time and effort).

In addition to the properties of plants, it is necessary to pay attention to their size. For example, when alternating cabbage and radish, the second crop will receive insufficient sunlight, causing the quality of the crop to deteriorate significantly.

So, you have developed an ideal layout for all the vegetables in your summer cottage, but every year the harvest is getting worse. What to do? It is necessary to ensure crop rotation.

Table of crop rotation of vegetables in the beds

Crop rotation is the organization of crop rotation in the garden. Ideally this process must be continuous and annual. However, in real conditions, this is very difficult to achieve for the following reasons:

• There is not enough information about the contamination of the soil and the presence of pests in it.
• There is no time for precise calculations of the ideal landing option.

Why is crop rotation essential for a good harvest? Every culture has unique features in terms of obtaining nutrients. Someone is looking for them in the surface layers of the soil (for example, a cucumber), someone, in search of water, lowers the roots several meters deep (for example, a watermelon). In addition, the growth of each plant requires (to a greater extent) different elements (for example, for a tomato - phosphorus, for cabbage - nitrogen).

Now imagine that from year to year a certain layer of soil is depleted, and the content of precisely those substances that are necessary for this crop decreases.To make it easier for you to decide how to rotate vegetables, below is a table of vegetable crop rotation in the garden.

Important! The main thing is that the culture does not return to its original place within 3-4 years. During this time, the soil will have time to recover and accumulate the necessary amount of nutrients.

How to make a garden bed for cucumbers in the open field: photos, methods

Cucumbers are a rather capricious culture that requires special care. Many believe that it can only be planted seedling way, however, thanks to many years of selection, there are currently several varieties that can be planted immediately in open ground.

First of all, it is necessary to prepare beds for cucumbers in the spring:

• Correctly choose the direction of the rows - from north to south.
• Fertilize the soil best solutions – cow dung or chicken manure, if they are not there, any mineral fertilizer will do).
• Put the sides (preferably at least 25 cm).

The main secrets of growing cucumbers in the open field are choosing the right planting time (from May to mid-June, depending on the region) and choosing the right variety.

How to make beds for cucumbers - common features

In the case when seedlings are not used, it will not work to grow a quality crop in the usual way (on standard beds). You must use one of the other ways to grow cucumbers in open ground:

• The device beds with a bookmark.
• Installation of a warm bed (including a raised structure).

These methods are non-standard, therefore, they are described in detail below to prevent errors during the arrangement.

How to make beds for cucumbers with a bookmark in the garden

To arrange a bed for growing cucumbers with a bookmark, it is necessary to dig a trench 30 cm deep and successively fill it with the following layers:

No water stagnation.

Warm beds for cucumbers in the open field

How to make a warm bed for cucumbers on the surface of the earth? To do this, it is necessary to build a box (for example, from boards or bricks) and fill it with the following layers:

• Sand.
• Organic waste (leaves, bark, etc.).
• Straw.
• Fertilizer (manure is best).
• Earth and humus.

The main thing is to carefully compact each layer, otherwise the soil will turn out to be too loose, and you should not expect a good harvest.

Advantages of warm beds for cucumbers:

• Lack of dirt from the beds due to the presence of bumpers.
• High yield.
• Aesthetic appearance (you can make beautiful identical beds).

Raised beds for cucumbers in the open field

In an unfavorable climate, it is advisable to arrange raised (or high) beds 40-50 cm high (for convenience, you can make it higher). At the same time, the sequence of layers remains the same as in conventional warm structures on the surface of the earth. Such structures have the following advantages:

• Even faster warming of the soil, which means that the harvest will appear earlier.
• Convenience (no need to bend over to care for cucumbers).

  

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What amateur gardeners just don’t come up with to get 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 a limited space raised above the ground. They are used for growing other crops.

It is best to build such structures in the fall, but with proper maintenance, you can create an "elevated" one at other times of the year.

Important! If you build too high sides - more than 70 cm, the bees will not be able to perform pollination, which will negatively affect the further growth of the crop.

Like any vegetable growing solution, this one has its advantages and disadvantages.

We list the advantages of high beds:

• in spring it warms up faster, and sowing can be carried out much earlier than in open ground; this will increase the yield by 2 times;
• thanks to the borders of the box, the mulch will not be washed away or carried away by gusts of wind;
• the design provides good - this will avoid moisture stagnation;
• there is the possibility of individual selection of soil for each site, which will provide optimal conditions for growing crops;
• thanks to the design, it is possible to protect the crop from sudden changes in temperature;
• it is much easier to cultivate the soil, as the amount of work is significantly reduced;
• raised areas are convenient in that you do not have to lean too much towards;
• building looks nice right approach to the construction will last a long time and will not collapse;
• can be built in any sunny place.

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

Don't be afraid possible difficulties- it is enough to seriously approach the construction of an unusual design, and you will get a rich harvest.

Optimal dimensions

Each gardener can independently choose the size of the future beds, since there are no clearly defined dimensions. However, there are certain recommendations that may come in handy when you build tall ones with your own hands.

Height

The optimal height of the sides varies from 15 to 50 cm. If you plan to place the structure on fertile soil, you need to limit yourself to a height of 15–20 cm. This amount of embankment is quite enough to get a good harvest.

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

Width and length

Optimal width structures are considered to be a distance of 90 to 120 cm. It is necessary to equip the site in such a way that it can fit 2 rows. Such a layout will allow the plants to receive a sufficient amount of air and sunlight, which will undoubtedly affect the yield.

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

Important! When choosing plastic for construction, be careful: some of its types emit toxins and are not suitable for use in agriculture.

Reflecting on the length of the site, you can be guided solely by the possibilities 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 a summer cottage

It is very important to responsibly approach the choice of a place where the structure will be located in the future. It is better to place high beds in the country in sunny areas: light should come to this place for 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 an embankment on open ground, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• put on the ground metal mesh- this will protect the roots of plants from rodents;
• lay out old newspapers at the bottom of the structure - this technique will significantly slow down growth.

Material selection and step-by-step manufacturing instructions

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

Wooden structure

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

Did you know? By choosing larch boards for the construction, you will significantly increase the service life of the structure. The resin of the tree is an excellent protector from external influences and prevents the destruction of the boards.

1. Before proceeding with the assembly of the structure, it is necessary to process the boards. To do this, you can use all kinds of impregnations that will prevent the decomposition of the tree. You can also cover the boards with varnish or paint. The safest and most affordable way to process wood is lime - just whiten the elements.
2. Using a conventional tool, you need to attach the bars to the boards. To do this, it is necessary to nail posts to the edges of short boards. Long boards are also connected to the bars. Choose the bars so that they go 20–30 cm into the ground.
3. The next step is to knock down the box. Try to avoid cracks, the boards should fit snugly against the bars.
4. The final stage is the installation of the mounted box. After you hammer the bars into the ground, check with a level that it is level.

Important! When installing a bed next to fruit trees, you will need to install a barrier for the root system before marking.

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

Use of stone

Undoubtedly, there can be no doubt about the durability of such a design. But due to the high cost of the material, not everyone can afford such beauty. If you find funds for a stone bed, it will be a wonderful decoration for your summer cottage.

Instructions for the manufacture of such a design include the following steps:

• it is necessary to dig a trench along the perimeter of the proposed site, 30 cm deep;
• we lay polyethylene or roofing material on the bottom;
• we fill the trench with sand to a third of the depth;
• laying stones;
• we fill the concrete foundation with a pre-prepared solution;
• then masonry is carried out along the perimeter using a solution that is applied only to the inside of the stone;
• after 2-3 weeks, you can pour the soil and plant the plants.

brick beds

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

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

from slate

This material is known for its durability. Everyone in the country has unnecessary pieces of slate, which are just right for building high beds.

We invite you to read the manufacturing instructions.:

1. First of all, the materials are prepared: it is necessary to cut the plates and give them the desired size.
2. At the next stage, a trench is dug according to predetermined dimensions.
3. Sliced ​​slate plates are installed in the dug hole around the perimeter. If you are using flat slate, it is necessary to connect the strips with the help of corners - this will give the reliability of the structure.
4. Then the trench must be covered with soil and compacted well.

Made of plastic

Plastic beds can be of two types. The first is the use plastic panels. In this case, it's almost perfect option to create a structure. 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 of the structure is the same as in the case of slate.

Important! When making beds from slate, you should not drive it into the ground - this way there is a possibility of its destruction. To install the sides, carefully dig the slate into the soil.

Another option is to make a bed out of plastic bottles. However, this is not entirely good way, since there can be no question of tightness. Besides plastic bottles quickly give in to deformation, which over time will make the site not very attractive.

From straw and branches

One of the cheapest materials for making beds is straw.. Bales have a very affordable cost, so this way to build beds is the most budgetary.

Raised beds - saviors of vegetable growers with poor soil, site drainage and those who find it difficult to cultivate big garden. The main idea of ​​such structures is instead of fighting bad conditions to create a structure above the ground, where all soil parameters can be controlled with minimal effort. Attractive high beds in the photo have their pros, cons and difficulties. Armed with tips and having studied the instructions for different arrangement options, choosing the right one for yourself is quite simple.

Purpose of high beds

It is easy to understand why the beds are made high - this design helps to solve a variety of site problems, whether it is waterlogged, infertile, densely overgrown with weeds, or even cold climate.

decorative vegetable garden

Properly selected and placed high structure allows you to effectively grow plants in specific conditions, without making such significant efforts for this as in traditional vegetable growing.

Raised beds - horizontal boxes or containers for growing horticultural crops, herbs and flowers located at least 15-20 cm above the soil level. Their width is from 40 to 150 cm.

This size is convenient for processing landings without standing on the ground with your feet. The length depends on the size of the site and the desire of the owner. It can be as simple as ridges in the form of "hills" of nutrient soil mixtures, and designs with sides made of different materials.

Animal protection

Classification and features of species

Vegetable growers around the world have developed many types of high beds. This makes it possible to choose the design that is most suitable for certain conditions and effectively grow plants in almost any climatic zone. Any of the modifications can be attributed to one of the categories:

Waist-high vegetable containers

Pros and cons of growing plants at height

As with every technology, the "on top" method of growing horticultural crops has its own advantages and difficulties that may arise when applied in practice. Therefore, before you "rush into battle" and start construction, you should familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the method and try it out in specific conditions.

Design option

Benefits and possible difficulties

Bulk beds, whether large boxes, mounds without fencing or narrow containers, have several advantages over traditional vegetable gardens:

• In the spring, they warm up faster, allowing you to plant plants earlier and get the first harvest.
• The soil does not compact from walking because the structures are made to allow easy access from walkways between them.
• An excellent option for those who, for health reasons or due to employment, cannot work in a traditional garden. Raised beds require much less effort and time to get a good harvest.
• Thanks to the use of humus, systemic feeding of plants with fertilizers and regular watering, you can get much larger crops of vegetables from a smaller area.
• Using imported soil and humus, you can get an environmentally friendly crop, even on polluted and infertile (sandy, saline) soils.
• With wood, vine or stone fencing, beautiful raised beds can act as decorative element site.

Wooden high containers look very aesthetically pleasing

At the same time, some vegetable growers identify disadvantages that sometimes cause difficulties in practical implementation this method:

• The equipment of high beds requires the acquisition of materials and minimal skills in the construction of simple wooden structures.
• In the absence of a compost heap, humus and fertile soil also need to be purchased.
• In hot weather, the soil dries out faster, requiring more frequent watering or system arrangement drip irrigation.
• The need to replace the soil every few years or add compost annually and grow green manure before and after the main vegetables.

How to neutralize disadvantages and overcome difficulties

These difficulties can be overcome by taking used boards or slate as a material for construction, having prepared in advance compost heap and arranging drip irrigation from plastic bottles.

For a test, you can make one small garden bed with your own hands and experiment on it for one year. Having determined what and how it is better to grow by this method in the conditions of a particular site, you can proceed to full-scale construction, taking into account the accumulated experience.

Strawberries grown in beds or in containers are always clean and do not get sick

Many gardeners begin their acquaintance with this method by growing strawberries in high beds. This plant can be grown with your own hands on any type of elevated beds. When planning the planting of strawberries, it is worth considering the features of its cultivation:

• When building a container or box, it should be noted that strawberries are planted in sunny places, therefore, in order to avoid overheating of the soil, their walls are made of brick or stone wood, but not of iron and slate. For the same purpose, the outer walls tall building should be whitewashed or covered with white facade paint.
• To avoid rapid drying and overheating of the soil under the bushes, it must be constantly covered with a layer of mulch, film or agrotextile.
• In a low box, the earth will dry out and deplete faster. You will need frequent watering and updating the mulch - at least twice a week. Therefore, it is necessary to have a compost heap and a barrel in which organic matter will be infused for irrigation.

The device and dimensions of raised landings

To make the right high bed with your own hands, you must first determine the most advantageous location for it on the site. The place should be lit 5-6 hours a day and preferably from the very sunrise. It should not be in the winds, especially the north, and in a draft.

Most experts recommend placing containers in a south-north direction so that all plants receive an even amount of heat and light. If the site is located on a slope, it is better to place them regardless of the cardinal points, but across the slope.

Device and layers

How to calculate the dimensions of a structure

Then determine the appropriate height. Containers can be made slightly raised above the ground (25–30 cm) or high (70–80 cm). Both options have their own advantages. There are even Scientific research dedicated to the selection of the height of containers according to a certain formula for the proportions of the body of a particular person. As for the device, the beds at the waist level require more time and effort, but they are warmer and easier to care for.

The optimal size of a high bed in width should allow it to reach the middle without stepping on the soil (70-100 cm). If you plan to install two containers placed in parallel, you can make a mini-greenhouse out of them. For this, the boxes are made 80 cm wide, and the passage between them is 60 cm. A frame of plastic pipes is created from above and covered with a film.

One of the wooden frame options

Basics of construction and the basics of construction

Having decided on the size, they mark out a place on the site, remove the fertile soil layer on the spade bayonet and fix the fence around the perimeter. On the sides they knock down the frame, slightly recessed into the ground, or simply put it on the surface. Most often, the frame is upholstered with boards. The bottom is left free. Scheme of a high bed with wooden frame and a small indentation in the photo below.

The simplest design of high beds is a wooden box without a bottom, consisting of two short, two long boards and four pointed beams. The width of the boards is selected depending on the required height of the structure, and the length of the bars should be 20-30 cm longer in order to hammer them into the ground.

Support bars are attached to short boards, after which long boards are attached to them. The finished structure is installed in a marked and prepared place.

Simple design from boards and beams

We make high beds with our own hands

For those who have at least minimal construction or carpentry experience, it will not be difficult to figure out how to make high beds with their own hands, and in a short time to bring the idea to life. The first (trial) design can be made from existing building materials or waste - old doors, slate, boards.

Wooden fence and its features

The fence can be built from wood, concrete, brick, stone, and almost any material available. When choosing a material for bulk beds take into account:

• price;
• mounting complexity;
• durability;
• decorative properties.

Typical Circuit

When the question arises: what to make high beds from, most owners opt for a tree. At proper processing this material can last 5-7 years, and it looks beautiful.

Before construction, boards and beams must be treated with special antiseptic impregnation, stain or used oil. So that the impregnation does not subsequently penetrate into the soil, and the frame is as little as possible affected by moisture, it is upholstered with a dense film from the inside.

Boards for high beds are taken from larch or acacia. Such wood species have the best ratio of low cost, strength and durability. For work, a slab, timber, logs (halves), any boards, lining are suitable.

High wooden beds will last longer if the boards are at least 2 cm thick. The sides are fixed with metal corners or by installing bars 40 × 40 or 50 × 50 at the corners of the box and screwing the boards to them with self-tapping screws.

Not the cheapest, but very beautiful solution is the beds of the timber. Their advantages are durability and practicality - it is convenient to lean on a wide side, sit down, put seedlings. In addition, the beam will perfectly withstand even a large amount of soil in waist-high containers.

A box of timber - reliable and beautiful

Other fencing materials

More difficult to build with your own hands are high fences made of concrete, brick, metal, stone. They are stronger and more durable than wood, but also have their drawbacks.

Metal beds look very neat, are mounted quite easily and last almost forever. They are usually made of galvanized steel, sometimes with polymer coated.

Already sold in stores finished fences, so that their installation also takes a minimum of time. If you have the skills to work with metal, you can save money and make a fence from roofing iron and metal corners or a frame from wooden bars.

Galvanized metal fence

Concrete beds are a little cheaper, but also require special skills to build. Such a structure can last at least 30 years. Borders can be installed in a monolithic tape method, using a sliding formwork method, or to make beds from concrete blocks, simply by installing them in the right place. The disadvantage of concrete fencing is its ability to increase the acidity of the soil.

concrete structures can also serve a decorative function.

New brick fences are beautiful and reliable. The disadvantage is that in order to make an even and neat masonry, you must have special skills or hire a craftsman. How to lay out brick beds:

• pull the rope tightly on the pegs along the inner perimeter;
• dig a trench, at least half the height of a brick;
• lay out the first row evenly;
• start laying out the fence on the solution.

The rest of the building materials in the case

A stone fence is made in the same way. The stone will fit into any landscape design and is almost eternal. Disadvantages - the inability to move the structure to another place and the high cost decorative stone.

Gabions in the form of a fence

The fence for high beds can be built from slate, plastic bottles, curb tape, vines, straw and other materials.

Blocks as a fence

Soil preparation for successful vegetable growing

When the fence is ready, they begin to fill the raised beds with nutrient soil. On wet soils and at a low height of the fence, it is best to dig a trench 10-15 cm deep. If there are rodents on the site, a fine-mesh construction mesh is laid on the bottom to protect the plants.

How to fill high beds with your own hands - the order of layers:

1. If the structure is installed on the surface of the earth without removing the top layer of soil and backfilling the drainage, in order to avoid the germination of weeds, the bottom is covered with geotextiles.
2. If the site is wet or the fence is made of stone, concrete, brick, be sure to make a drainage layer of crushed stone and sand or branches and twigs. Drainage from branches is covered with coarse sand or expanded clay. A geotextile is laid on the drainage layer, then another layer of crushed wood waste.
3. Next, plant waste is laid: chopped branches, grass (excluding weeds), dry leaves, tops, vegetable peelings, straw. A layer of organic waste can be compacted with earth or laid on top of the sod with the soil up. To speed up the decomposition of waste, they can be watered with a Baikal solution or other similar means.
4. The next layer, depending on availability, is manure, peat or immature compost. After complete decomposition, they will nourish vegetables for a long time.
5. Most upper layer- this is a soil for high beds, consisting of a mixture fertile soil and humus or mature compost. It should be of such thickness that the roots do not grow into the lower decaying layer. The composition of the soil for the top layer is easy to adjust for the cultivation of certain crops. Mineral fertilizers, sand, semi-rotted sawdust, soddy soil, peat can be added to it.

Layer-by-layer filling of the finished box

Watering for high beds

You need to water the beds and feed the plants more often than in open ground. The average frequency of watering is once or twice a week. Traditional watering from a hose or watering can significant shortcomings- it compacts the soil, after it loosening is required, a strong pressure of water destroys the structure of the upper soil layer. If watering weak pressure water takes a lot of time. Therefore, more and more gardeners prefer to organize automatic or semi-automatic watering.

Irrigation system on high beds can be done in different options:

1. Drip irrigation tapes. It is necessary to lay one such tape under each row of plants. Further, polypropylene pipes are fixed on the fence, to which each tape is attached through the valves.
2. You can arrange drip irrigation in a similar way using polypropylene pipes with holes. A diagram of such a system is shown in the photo below.
3. A semi-automatic garden waterer can be created from old hoses. They are laid on the ground and in places where water should come out, small holes are made.
4. One of the most simple options semi-automatic watering, which you can do with your own hands - watering with a wick. To do this, buckets or large plastic bottles are dug into the ends of the frame. One end of a wick made of cloth or rolled fabric is immersed in a container of water, and the other is buried 10-15 cm into the soil.
5. Bucket watering beds is the cheapest in the device. To do this, you need to bury a plastic bottle with a cut bottom and small holes made under each plant. Through the bottom it will be convenient to pour water from the hose, and from the holes it will slowly flow out under the root of the plant.

Diagram of a drip irrigation system from old hoses or pipes

Raised beds, with all their pluses and minuses, are a technique that allows you to grow solid crops of vegetables even in small and unsuitable areas. There are many variations of their arrangement, filling and watering - from simple and economical to expensive and decorative. Among such a variety, it is easy to choose the option suitable for a particular site, financial capabilities and even the physical parameters of a person.

high beds have some advantages over classic beds. Many people think that making such a bed is a difficult and costly task, but this does not require special skills and special tools.

Do-it-yourself high garden- what to make, a photo and a description of the process of assembling the beds, for which high beds are intended, advantages and disadvantages.

Site processing traditional way requires a lot of effort and time, and the harvest does not always exceed expectations. Therefore, many gardeners equip high beds on their plots, allowing them to receive annually excellent harvest berries and vegetables with proper care.

High beds pros and cons

The main advantages of high beds over classic ones include:

Possibility to equip a garden in areas not suitable for agriculture;
- digging and weeding is replaced by light loosening of the soil;
- it is convenient to work with high beds, because they are raised above the ground;
- heating of high beds occurs faster than ordinary ones;
- it is easier to remove weeds in a limited space;
- equipping a high bed is provided good drainage;
- in high beds, vegetables and berries ripen faster, which is important for regions with a cold climate;
- a high bed is easily mounted and disassembled if necessary;
- beds in case of frost can be protected by covering with agrofibre or tarpaulin.

Disadvantages of high beds

A high bed requires frequent watering and reinforced mineral dressings. Such a pest as a bear loves to settle on high beds, you will have to follow and fight for it.

Material for beds - what to make high beds from

high bed- This is a frame of a certain size. Inner part the frame is filled with compost, soil, fertilizers. The shape of the frame can be different, the most common is a high rectangular bed.

Material for the manufacture of beds - boards, slate, plastic, branches and others.

Wood- the most affordable, easy to install and enough inexpensive material. To assemble a garden bed, you need timber, boards, or small logs.

The main disadvantage wood is its fragility, which requires additional protective treatment.

Rods and vine- original, cheap material. The woven walls of high beds look attractive, and the shape of the bed itself can be made any.

This frame has a very short term service and weave a vine you need to be able to.

brick and stone- durable, reliable material for beds. But such beds are difficult to dismantle and the construction takes a lot of material and time.

plastic frame is an alternative to wood. Plastic is easy to assemble and disassemble, durable, strong.

But some types of plastic contain harmful substances, they can not be used in the garden.

Beds from WPC- a framework for beds from a wood and polymeric composite. Beautiful view, durable material, connected by means of docking elements. The disadvantage is a very expensive material.

Metal- durable, comfortable material to create beds. You can easily change the appearance of the frame by painting in any color. To assemble such a frame, you need to have the skills of a welder, the material is quite expensive, surface treatment will be required to protect against corrosion.

Slate – a budget option garden beds decoration. Install such a bed quickly, slate is durable, you can paint the surface in any color. The disadvantage is the fragility of the material, care must be taken when assembling.

Summer residents use for the construction of high beds plastic bottles, old plastic boxes.

Video - High slate beds

Each gardener chooses the right dimensions and the shape of high beds on their own.

There are also optimal sizes at which the garden bed will be most effective:

Bed width 90-120 cm;
- the height of the beds from the surface of the earth is 15-50 cm.

Bed height it depends on where the soil will be poured - if immediately on fertile soil, then a height of 15-20 cm is enough, this is enough for a good harvest. If the site is not suitable for farming, the bed is raised by 30 cm. Warm beds make it even higher up to 50 cm by adding compost.

Bed width make it so that 2 rows of plants fit - it will be convenient to process it, the plants will receive enough sun and air.

High bed length does not play a role and is limited by the size of the site. Common beds with a length of 1.5-3 meters.

A comfortable row spacing is at least 45-50 cm, do not make a smaller distance, it will be inconvenient to move between the beds and process.

Do-it-yourself high beds from boards

Inexpensive and convenient option making a frame for a high bed.

For work you will need:

Roulette
bayonet shovel
screwdriver
Hand saw for wood or electric jigsaw
Building level
Boards size 50x200 mm
Beam 50x50 mm
self-tapping screws
Construction mesh
Primer

Decide on the size of the frame. Cut the boards to size and cover on all sides with antiseptic impregnation (you can use used oil).

Also saw a beam 50 cm long and treat with an impregnating agent.

Lay out boards and timber to dry.

Choose a sunny location for a high bed, it should shine for at least 5 hours a day.

It is necessary to mark the boundaries of the beds, remove branches, stones, rhizomes perennials. Dig the soil along with the grass, if it is dense, remove the layer of turf around the perimeter to conveniently expose the frame.

After drying, the boards are knocked down into shields, connecting them with bars. The height of the shields is the height of the beds. In the center of the long sides of the frame, additionally strengthen with transverse bars.

Upon completion, you can paint the frame from the outside.

Transfer the finished frame to the installation site. The structure should stand as evenly as possible, the corners should be at the same level.

At the end of the installation of the frame, add soil around the perimeter of the walls so that there are no gaps.

Video - Making high beds

How to fill a high bed

The bottom of the frame is closed construction mesh, nailing to the walls of the frame. The mesh is needed to protect against moles and mice. Then lay the geotextile that does not allow weeds to germinate.

Drainage in the form of bark, small branches, leaves, large chips;
- fertilizer layer: compost or rotted manure, bird droppings;
- grass, fallen leaves, bark, small branches: creating a permeable layer;
- a layer of organic matter that is supplemented mineral fertilizers;
- a fertile layer of the earth, the composition of which depends on the type of plants that you plan to grow in the beds. Minimum Thickness layer 10 cm.

When filling, the thickness of each layer is approximately 10 cm, it is not necessary to mix with each other.

When the high bed is filled, it is necessary to shed well with water and leave for several days to shrink the layers.

It is better to cover the bed with black agrofiber or polyethylene from above at this time to ensure better heating of the bed.

The beds should be done at the end of summer or autumn - in this way the layers will well pereper until spring and there will be a sufficient amount of useful substances for plants in the soil. Leave this bed covered until spring.

When installing the beds in the spring, a month before planting the plants, spill the bed several times with water.

High beds can be easily turned into a greenhouse by installing arcs above the frame, which you can fix on the walls of the frame with self-tapping screws or bolts.

A film or special agrofibre is attached to the arcs from above.

Video - Do-it-yourself high beds

How to care for raised beds

When seedlings of plants appear in the garden, it is good to spill water and mulch. Weeds that break through the mulch layer are removed immediately.

When the entire crop is harvested, the high bed is loosened and sown with green manure. Replace damaged sections in the garden.