High bed for your own hands. Materials and tools

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 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 decision related to growing vegetable crops, it 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;
• I have an opportunity individual selection soil for each plot, 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.

Despite the huge number of advantages, this method also has disadvantages. The disadvantages of high beds are:

• 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- take construction seriously enough unusual design and you will have 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 field the following recommendations should be followed:

• 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

A wide variety of materials can be used to build tall ones. 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 accessible way wood processing is lime - just whitewash 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;
• fill concrete foundation pre-prepared solution;
• then masonry is carried out around the perimeter using a solution that is applied only to inner part 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.

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

Made of plastic

Plastic beds can be of two types. The first is the use of plastic panels. In this case, it's almost perfect option to create a structure. It has excellent thermal insulation long term service 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 of plastic bottles. However, this is not a very good way, since tightness is out of the question. In addition, plastic bottles quickly yield 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.

Competent arrangement of beds in the country is one of the essential conditions for a rich harvest. Many novice gardeners believe that any growing conditions are suitable for plants, there would be land and water. In fact, many cultures require an individual approach. Many factors influence their growth and development: the illumination of the site, the composition of the soil, and even the shape of the beds. Therefore, the arrangement of the garden in the country should be properly planned in advance.

First of all, you need to decide exactly what crops you will plant on your site. And only then do the most suitable bed for each of them.

Fertile and beautiful beds in the country give joy to both the eye and the stomach. They may be different shapes and heights. The main thing is, of course, the soil. In modern horticulture, there is two different ways land cultivation:

• Traditional - constant regulation of the state of the soil by man, deep loosening and digging, excessive fertilization.
• Ecological - minimal human intervention in natural changes in the state of the soil.

At traditional way there are two significant disadvantages. First, it requires a lot of work. Endless weeding, digging, processing with various chemicals - all this takes a lot of time and effort. Secondly, this method is traumatic for the soil, because it does not have time to fully recover between digging procedures. As a result, even with regular use of fertilizers, the harvest on such beds is much more scarce than it could be.

The ecological approach is based primarily on the ability of the earth to self-heal, in contrast to the traditional one. To do this, she just needs not to interfere. Instead of deep digging, you can simply loosen the surface, and replace the constant weeding with regular mulching. With this approach, the soil structure develops in the most natural way with the help of various insects and microorganisms. On such organic beds, which are also called smart, plants get all the necessary substances without the use of special fertilizers and give a rich harvest. Currently, it is the ecological approach that is most popular.

Smart beds for high yields

For creating smart beds do-it-yourself required quite a bit of time and effort. This must be done in several stages.

Many summer residents suffer due to the fact that the groundwater is too high on the site. Excessive soil moisture is not suitable for all plants, many develop poorly or die altogether. You can solve the problem by doing high beds. With such an organization of landings, it is possible to control the degree of humidity. And a nice bonus to such a decision will be an earlier ripening period and a much larger yield.

Advantages and disadvantages

In addition to solving problems with waterlogging, high beds in the garden allow you to sow or plant plants 2-3 weeks earlier: raised above the ground, they warm up more actively due to the fact that the sun heats the walls. This is also facilitated by the decomposition processes occurring in plant waste, which make up a significant part of the backfill. Therefore, such beds are also called warm. If you put arcs on such a bed and cover it with spunbond or other similar material, then the crop can be harvested even earlier.

The device is more problematic in regions with a hot climate. The task in this case is not better to heat the earth, but to keep it from overheating. But this can also be solved: use materials with poor thermal conductivity, for example, wood, to fence high beds. For the best effect, you can make double walls, between which you can fill up, for example, sawdust, lay foam, or you can leave an air gap - the best thermal insulation. It is better to paint the outer wall in a hot climate with white paint or whitewash. It is known that light surfaces heat up less. In this case, it will be possible to save the root system from overheating: in the south, the earth sometimes warms up very much and the higher the plant is, the cooler it will be. And over the beds you can stretch the same covering material. It not only retains heat, but also protects against overheating.

Raised beds can also be a good outlet for infertile lands. It is more convenient to lay out the imported soil in the beds, and not distribute it throughout the site. Maintaining fertility contributes to the compost layer, which is located under the layer of earth.

The problem of arid regions is also being solved. In this case, the fence for the high bed is coated from the inside bituminous mastic or upholstered with a film, a rolled waterproofing material is laid on the bottom (on the grid) (the roofing material will quickly rot, so something from the modern type of waterproofing is better). Complete waterproofing cannot be achieved, but to keep moisture inside in sufficient quantities - yes.

Carrots - one to one. The best on a high bed, although the same variety was planted on a regular one

As you can see, with a balanced approach, almost any problem can be solved. There are few shortcomings in high beds, but they could not do without them:

• In most cases, you have to make a fence, and these are costs.
• The complexity of the process. Again, it takes time to make fences, and also decent amounts of land are moved and plant residues and that is hard work.
• In rotting leaves, branches, bark, bears and other similar living creatures feel great. You have to fight them.
• Fertility has to be maintained by updating or completely replacing the "stuffing".

That's all the shortcomings. If you decide on the arrangement of high beds, be prepared for a considerable amount of work. But the harvest will be many times greater. For testing, you can make one or two beds. Then decide if you need them or not.

Dimensions

In one area there are very high beds and not very…

So, the dimensions of the high beds:

• Height - from 20 cm to 50-60 cm. Here, see what a difficult task is. The higher the bed is raised, the easier it is to process it - to bend less. But the earth and the rest of the "stuffing" will need more. Another point: if a small bed in height can be under the snow and will be covered from severe frosts, then the high one will freeze through: the sides also turn out to be open. For those ridges where annuals are sown, this does not play any role, but for perennial strawberries, say, this is a problem. Therefore, the height is chosen based on these considerations. According to the experience of many gardeners for strawberries optimal height- 20 cm. Then we can hope that she will not freeze out.
• Width - from 60 cm to 1.2 m. Choose a distance that makes it convenient for you to process the bed. A distance of 60-70 cm is chosen if the approach to the garden is only on one side. If you can get to it from both sides, you can make a meter or more. It is important that the middle is processed without much stress.
• Long. Here everyone chooses based on the configuration of the site or their desire. There are no recommendations at all.

So that the bed is not too high, part of it can be deepened: dig in 20-30 cm, and already put walls on top. The removed soil will go to backfill (there is often simply not enough land), and the substrate from the lower rough layers can be made thicker. And in order to minimize the cost of maintaining such a bed, you can.

How to fence high beds

You can use anything that can hold the ground. The most durable curbs are made from brick, stone and concrete.

But the brick costs a lot, it takes a long time to fiddle with concrete. A concrete fence is made according to all the rules: first, a formwork into which reinforcement is laid, then it is poured with concrete and they wait until it sets. But the service life is impressive - decades.

Fences for beds made of concrete are the most durable and will never "float"

A brick and stone fence is also folded according to all the rules: on a mortar with dressing. To reduce the consumption of bricks, the walls are placed in half a brick. And so that the earth does not move it, the rows are reinforced with a mesh.

But even in this case, you will need to install through the meter supporting pillars. If your soil is viscous, heavy, often waterlogged, such walls can be squeezed out. Therefore, put wooden or metal supports that will fix long walls or make small beds, as for

Fence for high beds made of expanded clay concrete blocks

They also make fences for high beds made of galvanized metal and slate. Slate can be used second-hand, you can buy a new one, wave or smooth - it doesn't matter. Cut the sheets into strips of the required width. There is no need to fear that it is harmful. In slate, asbestos is contained in a bound state, and it does not dissolve in water. It is harmful when it is sawed: the dust rises and enters the body through the respiratory tract. To reduce exposure, wear a respirator and wet the incisions.

They make plastic garden fences. Changed siding? Use it. There are old plastic panels - they are in business. But for plastic, a rigid base is needed. They make it from a metal mesh of thick wire.

Grids can become the basis for pebbles or pellets. Only in this case, a double frame will be needed, inside which stones or some other material are poured. This technique is called "gabion" and not only fences for garden beds are made from it, but also fences. But so that water does not seep through the walls from the gabion beds, the inside of the box is lined with a dense film.

The most popular fencing is wood. You can use boards, timber, logs. Wood is good for everyone, except that it rots.

And since all conditions have been created in the high beds to activate this process, destruction occurs quite quickly. You can slow down the process somewhat by painting the boards or by impregnating them with a bioprotective composition. But there is still no guarantee against destruction.

But the material can be used cheap, and sometimes even junk: the remains after construction, slabs, old logs, pallets, etc. If desired, you can even make a fence out of branches. Only the bark is desirable to remove: it is under it that there are many larvae and woodworms. Although ... they will also recycle wood residues, which you lay on the bottom of the backfill. But too many of them are also not needed, so, probably, it is still better to remove the bark.

From the same branches, only freshly cut, you can make a wicker fence. And it will also need to be lined from the inside with a film: to keep water and earth inside.

You can even use straw. It is tied into small bundles, which are interconnected with a wire. It simply cannot be cheaper, but it keeps water and temperature well. The only disadvantage of this option is that such a fence will last a maximum of two seasons, but rather one. But it can then be used as one of the layers.

There are high beds without a fence: the so-called bulk. The soil in them is poured in the form of hills.

To improve drainage, branches are laid inside such a ridge. To reduce the height of the bed (for example, under tomatoes), it is slightly deepened, throwing the soil to the side. After laying the branches, it is covered from above, often there is a need for additionally imported soil. If you can’t choose the row spacing deeply.

The disadvantage of this kind of garden: when watering and during rains upper layer soil is washed away. Therefore, they began to make boxes - to avoid washing out the soil.

Layers of high beds

Framing is only a small part of the job. You still need to fill the received box. It must be said right away that the thickness of the layers depends on the height of the bed that you have chosen, so if any values ​​\u200b\u200bare given, then only approximately. In addition to the size of the bed, the thickness of the layer, for example, the fertile one, is influenced by the choice of plants: 5 cm is enough for someone, and much more is needed for someone.

So, what to pour into a high bed - layers from bottom to top:

1. A metal mesh with a small cell or a layer is laid at the bottom. You can put cardboard. Mesh and geotextile - protection against rodents and moles. Cardboard plays about the same role, but it is less effective.
2. Large wood residues: thick branches, branches, even chocks and bars. This layer serves, firstly, for drainage, and secondly, moisture accumulates in the wood. The more arid the climate in your area, the more wood you need. Moreover, the following wood layers too.
3. Shredded small branches, bark. Other coarse plant residues will do: corn stalks, straw. Their mission is also twofold. They store water, and when decomposed, they release heat and nutrients. But when using corn trunks and straw, keep in mind that the bed will soon sink: these remains quickly rot, but the yield will be high, and you can add fertile land on top.
4. Paper, thin cardboard. It is usually lined with a thin layer. They use packaging cardboard more often, because glossy paper is not suitable, just like newspapers: the lead base of the paint is not at all what plants need to be fertilized with. If there is an old unnecessary burlap (natural), you can lay it.
5. A layer of plant residues: foliage, grass, semi-decomposed sawdust. Be careful with sawdust: they strongly acidify the soil. So sprinkle them under plants that love acidic soil, or neutralize the acidity by sprinkling them with a good layer of ash.
6. Fertile land.

In the last two layers, you can add a good portion of mature compost, as well as sprinkle deeper layers with it. This will speed up the “readiness” of the high bed for planting.

When is the best time to plant and what to plant

It is better to fill a high bed in the fall. During this period, there will be enough “material” and during the winter the processes inside will gain momentum. In this case, you can plant plants in the spring and hope for high yield. It can be done in the spring, but there are unlikely to be any significant differences in yield: the processes have just begun and will not be able to have a noticeable effect on the fertility of the backfill. Although you will definitely feel the difference in the amount of water for irrigation: much less water is required.

One of the high bed options: metal mesh and reinforced polyethylene film

Plant alternation

In the year of the device of a high bed, plants requiring high fertility can be planted on it: cucumbers, zucchini, zucchini, pumpkin, any kind of cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, sweet peppers. The next year, you can plant greens - spicy-aromatic and leafy. Root crops feel good in the second year.

After harvesting the second crop, fertility must be restored. If the contents of the bed sagged, in the fall they fill up with good earth mixed with mature compost. If there is nowhere to fill up, remove part of the top layer (on compost heap or in another box as part of the backfill) and replace it with fresh soil with fertilizer.

Raised bed for strawberries

It differs only in that covering material is spread over the finished “pie”. Holes are made in it, in which plants are planted. This option leads to the fact that moisture evaporates in minimal quantities, and weeds do not grow in the aisle. The second option - mulching the earth also works well, but evaporation is more intense.

Features of strawberries are that its roots are located mainly on the surface. Therefore, the fertile layer can be small. But this same feature leads to the fact that in severe frosts it can die. Although there is a decomposition process inside the high bed, warming up the soil, if the bed is without snow and not covered for the winter, the root system may freeze.

Raised bed for cucumbers and tomatoes

In its structure, it is no different. Is it only because they need poles and crossbars or stretched wire around the edges in order to be able to tie up bushes of tomatoes or lashes of cucumbers.

DIY high beds

Most often, questions arise not when laying layers in high beds, but when making a box. Since women often do a lot of gardening, right up to making fences for garden beds, many points may not be clear to them. To clarify the most difficult ones, we present photo reports of making a box from boards and slate - the most common fences.

From the boards

Several options for how to make high beds from boards were in the photo above. The main snag is usually in the connection at the corners. The easiest way is to overlap them: just put one to the other at 90 ° and knock it down with nails. But there are aesthetes who all strive to do the right thing. And that's right - cut down two boards at an angle of 45 ° and connect them like that. It is this option that will be shown in the photo.

To make it convenient to fix the fence on the ground, vertical bars or pieces of board are nailed in increments of 1.2-1.5 m, the length of which is about 20 cm more than the selected bed height.

The lower end of the bar or board needs to be sharpened - it will be easier to hammer the fence into the ground. Then we take a miter box or circular saw, and cut off the edges at a 45° angle. Putting two boards together creates a perfect 90° angle.

For a strong connection with inside corner set the bar, to which we nail the boards.

Here's what happened. Only he lies "burdens" up. They are driven into the ground

It is not long to make a fence for high beds made of wood, but it is even easier to connect the boards end-to-end, and nail metal corners for strength (pictured below).

From logs

It is not more difficult to make a similar box from hewn logs. For example, this option: two long sides from logs, and short ones from pieces of boards.

Whitewash the finished fence: both pest protection and a more attractive look.

from slate

When making beds from flat or wave slate there are also questions about how to fix it. The easiest way is to dig in. But this is uneconomical: you will have to make the stripes wider by at least 10 cm and still there is no guarantee that the slate will not “float” in the spring. In the muddy earth, it will simply be squeezed out with a mass. You can fix it, but it's too much time and effort.

Therefore, most often corners or pipes are driven in from one or both sides of the sheet, which clamp the slate and prevent it from deviating strongly. In the photo, the corners are driven in only from the outside: from the inside, the mass of layers of the high bed will press, so that the fence will not fall inside.

The joints of the two sheets are insured with a special welded plate. For reliability, they can be bolted to a wooden bar attached from the other side.

A piece of reinforcement with a welded plate - for insuring the junction of two sheets of flat slate

Another option is to make a frame. Attach a bar or a corner to similar racks with welded plates - for whom it is cheaper. And to this frame, attach the slate cut into strips (it holds well with nails, but it’s easier with self-tapping screws).

Frame from a bar in a fence for a high bed

By the same principle - with guides - they make beds from plastic panels and other similar materials. As you understand, especially virtuoso skill is not needed here. The main thing is to keep well.

You will be surprised at your past doubts - whether to make high beds in the country ... Your back will be grateful to you - you just bend down a little to care for the garden. Your knees will thank you - you can just sit on the edge of the garden and work on your garden. Your plants will thank you - no more competition from weeds or nearby fruit trees. Your land will be grateful to you - you do not trample it down and ennoble it with humus. Your high-bed garden can look beautiful, comfortable, and reward you with a generous harvest.

How to make high beds with your own hands.

1. First we must mark out the place for the beds. The usual width of the beds is 1.2 m, the length can be any. Laying out rectangles right size sand on the ground.

2. We collect high beds. The high bed has no bottom and consists of posts with grooves on all four sides and boards with corresponding grooves. You can buy ready-made garden fences or make your own. For fences, it is better to take hardwood, because. conifers emit resin, which can have an unnecessary effect on soil composition. We check the horizontal installation of the garden box with a level.

3. We lengthen the high beds. Because Our beds are modular, we can extend our beds from any side with another module.

4. How to protect a high bed from rodents. Even if you have not encountered moles and other underground garden pests in your summer cottage, it is better to provide protection for your garden right now than to unsuccessfully fight these rodents later. At the bottom of each box we put a metal mesh so that it goes a little to the edges of the fences.

5. How to protect the soil on a high bed from being washed out into the main soil. To do this, we use ordinary packing cardboard in two layers so that it covers the entire bottom of our garden box. If there are not enough whole pieces, we use scraps of cardboard - we fasten them with a stapler with the main piece so that the cardboard at the bottom of the box does not move when the soil is poured.

6. The soil for high beds should be light, crumbly and "fluffy". You can easily check its quality by poking your finger into the ground - if it sinks to the third joint, this is the norm. To improve the composition of the soil, you can add peat or compost. We pour the soil into the garden box, check it horizontal level, water to compact a little. During the season, we will need to add a little soil.

7. Irrigation system for high beds. Along the contour of the high beds, it is planned to fix a garden hose with watering nozzles: we need 90 and 180 degree dividers.

8. Trellis for high beds. Because the earth in the high bed is loose, then it will not be possible to install a trellis in it, so we fix the trellis from pvc pipes into the ground next to the garden box. We stretch nets on the trellises for climbing plants- cucumbers and beans. For tomatoes, we install light supports made of steel rod.

What you need to know when arranging a high bed.

1. Try to protect high beds from strong wind and heat, creating partial shade for them with trellises of flowers or tall shrubs.

2. The long side of the bed should face south - so the plants will be evenly lit, otherwise, more tall plants others will obscure.

3. Planting density on a high bed is twice as high as on a regular bed. So plants fight weeds and create a humid microclimate with foliage.

4. High beds with sides will make it possible for older people or people with back problems to take care of the garden.

5. High bed - warm bed. Such a bed warms up faster in the spring, and if you make a mini greenhouse on its basis, it will surprise you with an early and generous harvest.

6. Divide a long, high bed with cross braces into square segments - this way you will reduce the pressure of the soil on side walls beds.

Fences for high beds.

1. Most often, wooden fences are used for understandable beds. There are a few points here - do not use boo wood, especially sleepers, which may contain harmful chemical substances. Do not treat fresh wood with wood preservatives unless you are sure they are completely environmentally friendly.

2. Wattle as a fence for a high bed. For all its environmental friendliness, such a fence has three significant drawbacks - the soil in the bed dries quickly from the wind, proper thermal insulation of the bed is not provided, the soil can spill out through the cracks. Everything is fixable - use a layer of double cardboard around the inner perimeter of the fence. Eco-friendly air layer between the sheets serves as thermal insulation, the earth no longer spills out.

3. As a fence for a high bed, you can use a metal profile, including from an old roof or fence.

5. You can make fences for a high bed with your own hands from brick or concrete. This is a very good option, but keep in mind that concrete will affect the acidity of the soil in the garden for 2-3 years.

6. The best fences for high beds - plastic. They do not emit anything of their own into the soil, excellent thermal insulation, long service life and the ability to set any shape of the beds, unlike standard rectangles of beds with wooden fences.

7. Fences for high beds from improvised materials. You can make the sides of the beds from bottles laid like bricks on a concrete mortar.

Why do we need high beds.

High beds allow you to increase the area under the garden. you can use inconvenient slopes or poor or weedy soil. Raised beds provide an environmentally friendly way to deal with weeds and soil erosion.

Such beds warm up faster and give more early harvest. They allow more economical use of moisture for irrigation.

Various types of high beds.

In addition to the traditional raised bed with high sides, there are several other types of raised beds.

1. Circular high bed. It consists of a round frame, in which there is a path to the center of the garden. This form of high beds is also called the "keyhole".

Branches, roots, paper, compost are placed at the bottom of the beds. In the middle of the bed there is a tunnel for fresh organic waste and water.

This design of the beds provides the necessary moisture and constant enrichment of the soil.

2. High bed without fences. When arranging such a bed, the trunks of trees (not coniferous), branches, roots, snags are laid in the ground at a shallow depth with the first layer; the second layer is this sod removed from the place where you make the bed, laid with grass down; the third layer is 20-30 cm of the main soil mixed with humus.

For irrigation of bulk high beds, an irrigation irrigation system is used, when water comes from a ditch between the beds - a good option for vegetable gardens flooded in the spring, or you can use drip option irrigation, when water enters the garden from mini terraces.

The paths between the beds are covered with straw or large sawdust. Never step on the ground in a high bed - this will compact it, and it will be more difficult for plants to receive moisture and nutrients.

High beds of this type can be used not only for a vegetable garden, but also for growing shrubs and fruit trees, if you have problematic soil for them in your summer cottage. The service life of such a bed (until the first tree layer with trunks completely rots) is 20-25 years - this period is enough for any fruit tree.

Spare no space for paths between high beds - so you can always drive there with a garden wheelbarrow both for harvesting and with a new portion of humus. Have pity on your back - use a wheelbarrow.

If your raised beds are located next to fruit trees, you may need to install a root barrier before laying out the beds - dig a trench, cut the root at the approach to the beds, install a metal sheet into the trench, which will prevent the root from growing in that direction and cover the trench with soil.

Learn more about raised beds through your own experience. There are many interesting finds, experiments and new discoveries in this topic for every gardener.

And we have prepared for you a video with 100 inspiring examples of the use of high beds in the country.

This article describes all the intricacies of the process during which high beds are created in the country with their own hands: photos and detailed descriptions of the technology, types of structures, their purpose and features, advantages and disadvantages. Specificity vertical products intended for growing strawberries, cucumbers and other crops, recommendations for their production.

Do-it-yourself high beds in the country: photoand design features

The construction of high beds opens up new opportunities for growing crops in the garden. A similar approach to organizing landings allows you to create on the site interesting design, effectively grow berries, fruits and vegetables. It becomes possible to get an excellent harvest from a site whose soil is not particularly fertile.

Warming up tall structures is much faster than conventional beds. The process of caring for plants is simplified because a person does not need to bend too low.

Note! Organic matter is used as a filler for high beds. Due to the fact that the roots of plants are located in a nutrient medium, crops grow faster and give a rich harvest.

Features of high beds: the pros and cons of designs

The construction of such structures is accompanied minimal cost, so summer residents prefer to make high beds for strawberries and vegetables.

Advantages of raised structures:

• the availability of a crop does not depend on the quality and composition of the soil on the site. Thanks to this, summer residents and gardeners can grow plants in areas with a rocky surface or heavy clay soil;
• beds simplify the process of cultivating the land, do not require enhanced care. You only need to dig the ground twice. The first time in the spring, when the plant is planted, the second time the procedure is done in the fall after harvesting;
• for processing, it is not necessary to dig deep into the soil, it is enough to stir the soil with a garden fork;

• the manufacture of high beds is as simple as possible, as is the procedure for dismantling them. The placement of structures can be easily changed if you want to create new design Location on;
• the space inside the product is limited, so it is not difficult to remove weeds;
• accelerated ripening of vegetables in high beds contributes to good drainage system, which is organized inside the structure;
• the soil in the high beds is protected from freezing, which often happens in the spring when frosts return. During early autumn frosts, it is enough just to cover the plantings with tarpaulin or polyethylene so that they do not die;
• the construction of high beds for strawberries allows you to save the berries from being washed away by downpours, which often destroy the crop.

There are few design flaws. They consist in the need for enhanced mineral nutrition and frequent watering. You will also need to keep an eye on the bear. This pest loves to settle on high beds.

How to make a high bed in the country with your own hands: common technologies

The following types of beds are most in demand among the owners of summer cottages:

• bulk gardens of a triangular shape;
• multi-tiered structures;
• bulk beds of a trapezoidal shape;
• decorative gardens.

Note! It is not required for arranging high beds high costs. Many summer residents use improvised materials for these purposes. In most cases, it is enough to buy bricks to create high beds, as well as a mixture that improves soil quality and drainage.

For the construction of a high bulk garden of a triangular shape, only a shovel is needed. Dimensional parameters of the beds are selected taking into account which plants will be grown. The size of the root system of crops is taken into account. Maximum allowable height bulk garden is 0.3 m, width - about 0.7 m. In the process of how the garden bed is filled with soil, it is not necessary to compact the ground.

A similar scheme is used to create a trapezoidal bed. Top part bulk garden should not exceed 0.3 m in width. Boards can be used to cover the upper slopes. It is also allowed to use mulch, which will positively affect the condition of the soil.

To make a multi-tiered bed for strawberries with your own hands fit profile pipe or armature. Metal structural elements are fastened by welding or by bolting. Containers or boxes filled with soil are put on the finished frame base.

Making high beds: photo and material selection

Fences on high beds are needed so that the soil with plants is inside the structure. Most often, beams or boards are used for construction. Do-it-yourself technologies for making high beds from slate are also popular.

Wood is considered traditional material, allowing you to create practical and reliable designs of high beds. Slate is also popular, but less environmentally friendly. In addition, he has one significant disadvantage- fragile structure. During the construction of the garden, this material can be damaged if the rules for handling it are neglected.

The most durable and strong beds are made of brick or stone. Large elements are connected with concrete mortar. Often, concrete itself is also used, while working with which you should carefully consider the shape, size parameters and location of the garden, since the garden bed in this case will be stationary and it will not be possible to move it over time. In the manufacture of structures made of concrete, stone or brick, it is important not to overdo it with the thickness and width of the frame. In massive products, the earth will not be able to warm up quickly.

Summer residents also use other budget materials:

• empty bottles;
• old plastic boxes;
• finished structures in the form of plastic fences.

Note! The construction of high beds from plastic panels is the most budget way get a garden. In the assortment of individual stores you can even find plastic slate.

Features of high beds by Igor Lyadov: design of beds, photos and parameters

The beds of Igor Lyadov are based on a technology invented at the end of the 20th century by Jacob Mittlider. The American worked to create optimal designs for growing strawberries. These products are distinguished from ordinary beds-boxes by their reduced width - only 45 cm. Any material can be used to make the sides, but boards are most often used.

As a filler, fertile soil and a layer of sawdust are used. Mittlider took a width of 0.9 m to the paths between the structures. To prevent the growth of weeds in this area, the vegetable grower spread agrofiber.

Unlike his American colleague, Igor Lyadov proposes to use not mineral additives, but organic matter. He became the author of several recipes, which include such traditional fertilizers as bird droppings and manure, as well as herbs. The design of the beds looks somewhat different in the photo. The high beds of Lyadov have a width of 0.6-1 m.

Passages 0.6-0.8 m wide remain between the structures. This zone can be covered with roofing material, sand, tiles or sawdust, so that it is easier to move along the plantings and not think about weeds. The space of paths between the beds is often sown with lawn grass. But in this case, you will have to periodically mow the vegetation so that the passages look neat and do not go beyond their boundaries.

Note! Igor Lyadov strictly outlined the placement of the beds. Landings should be placed from the north side to the south. Only in this way will plants be provided required level sun illumination.

Do-it-yourself high garden: how to makewooden structure

The technology provides for the construction of a garden bed, the width of which is 180 cm, length - 3 m, height - 40 cm. However, the dimensional parameters of the structure can be changed taking into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe summer cottage. At the first stage of construction, optimal location for a vegetable garden. It is better if the selected area is illuminated during the day by the sun for at least 5 hours. For this purpose, even a place unsuitable for growing crops, for example, a wasteland, is suitable.

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After that, the design of the beds in the summer cottage is developed, photo interesting options placements can be found online or in gardening magazines. Before construction begins, the site is cleared of debris, stones and rhizomes of perennial weeds. Annual weeds can not be removed, since the need for this procedure is eliminated during the initial digging of the territory.

First, the fences are prepared. To do this, you will need to cut the material so that you get 4 boards 1.8 m long and 4 boards 3 m long. In addition, you should prepare wooden bars, each 40 cm high. At the ends of the boards intended for assembling the frame, a cut should be made at an angle of 45 °.

Before proceeding with the assembly of the frame, it is necessary to process the wooden elements special impregnation or an antiseptic to stop the processes of decay and prevent rapid deterioration of the material, which can be caused by exposure to moisture. From the outside, the boards can be painted or varnished. AT decorative purposes patterns can be applied to the surface. After waiting for complete drying, you can start assembling the box. If the design of the beds provides for two levels, each of the tiers is fastened with bars.

Helpful advice! To protect plantings from moles and rodents, it is recommended to nail a net at the bottom.

How to fill a do-it-yourself high bed of planks

Filling the high beds is carried out in the following order:

• the first layer is laid drainage system, for its organization is used tree bark, which needs to be crushed, fallen leaves, small twigs and wood shavings;
• the second layer is formed from fertilizers, manure is well suited for organizing this layer, it is better if it is rotted;
• as the third layer, a permeable material is used, it is performed by analogy with the first layer;
• the basis for the fourth layer is organic matter, this layer can be supplemented with mineral fertilizer for complex purposes;
• fertile land is laid in the fifth layer, the composition of the soil depends on the plants that will be grown in the garden, minimum thickness fertile layer - 10 cm.

After the bed is filled, it should be watered abundantly and let it brew for 2-3 days so that all layers can settle. It is not recommended to immediately start sowing or planting seedlings. It is better to withstand the bed for some more time so that it has time to warm up well. To do this, cover the structure with black material. Polyethylene will do.

Helpful advice! If the construction of beds is carried out at the end of summer or autumn, the structure must be left covered until spring.

Making vertical beds with your own hands: photo and technology

Vertically arranged beds are used for growing spices and berries. The advantages of such structures are associated with decorative appearance, saving space and protecting the crop from birds and various pests.

The construction of vertical beds will great solution for planting crops that require a lot of space on the site. These designs are ideal for growing herbs, strawberries, flowers, strawberries. Moreover, the owners of summer cottages can not only build their own, but also buy ready-made vertical beds in one of the specialized stores.

Why is it profitable to create or buy a vertical bed for strawberries

There are many design options for vertical beds, but their main advantage lies in compact size. Moreover, this advantage of products will be beneficial not only to owners of small summer cottages, but also to people who want to grow herbs or berries on their balcony. A light bed made from plastic bottles is best suited for these purposes.

Vertically installed beds do not require complex maintenance. Plantings are at a sufficient height so that weeding or harvesting can be carried out in convenient conditions. This does not require you to bend low and endure back pain. At the same time, plants and their roots are raised high above the ground, where rodents and small pests cannot reach. Pyramid or cylindrical beds prevent birds from landing comfortably to eat the berries.

Prices for finished structures:

product name	price, rub.
Bed of agrotextile	150
Plastic mesh bed	490
Pipe with holes	1500
Pipe with holes	3200
vertical ladder	4700

Making a pyramid-bed for strawberries with your own hands: dimensions and technology

For work you will need the following tools and materials:

• jigsaw or hacksaw;
• edged board size 40 × 5 × 20 cm (11 pcs.);

• screwdriver and a set of screws;
• pencil and tape measure;
• seedlings and soil.

To create the base, 4 support boards are used. For their manufacture, you can cut a board 2 m long. It is recommended to make cuts at an acute angle, so that later it would be convenient to connect the pieces.

Helpful advice! To increase the rigidity of the structure in the central part of the pyramidal beds, an additional pillar should be placed, which acts as a support.

After that, a pair of boards 2 m long, having an angular cut along the edges, is laid on a horizontal plane and connected to each other. A rail is mounted at the base to organize the future beds and is fixed on both sides. The dimensions of this element are 5x40x5 cm. The resulting side of the pyramid should be installed vertically and the second and third sides should be fixed on it. They are made in a similar way.

When the frame part of the pyramid is ready, using a tape measure, the length of the rails intended for the manufacture of beds is measured. They should be placed in increments of 25-30 cm. To fix the rails, you will need to cut the ends at an angle of 30 ° to make the shelf raised. At the end of the assembly, the structure is filled with soil, which should be compacted. Products can be successfully used for growing vegetables and herbs.

Technology for the manufacture of vertical beds for strawberries from plastic pipes

This design option is great not only for growing strawberries, but also for greens.

List of required tools and materials:

• plastic pipes of the required length with a large diameter;
• steel cable (can be replaced with thick fishing line);
• construction knife for cutting pipes.

The large diameter of the pipes is necessary so that the pipe cut in half can accommodate the amount of soil needed to grow plants. The incision of the product is carried out along. To fix the beds in vertical position holes should be made on both sides of each of the halves. A steel cable or a thick fishing line is passed through them. The halves are placed one above the other according to the principle of a ladder. The number of such halves-levels can be unlimited.

Note! Since the structure, while suspended, can sway, it is recommended to install the bed in places protected from the wind.

Do-it-yourself construction of vertical beds from a building grid

Small vegetable gardens based on construction mesh, suitable for growing strawberries, flowers, herbs or potatoes. For work you will need:

• construction metal mesh;
• the soil;
• straw;
• tool for cutting metal wire.

To create a bed, you will need to bend a rectangular piece of mesh in the shape of a pipe, the diameter of which is 0.9 m. Using wire or other devices, the edges of the segment must be fastened in this position. Straw is laid on the sides inside the structure. Thanks to this, the soil will not spill out. Free space is being filled.

If potatoes are to be grown, the first level of plants should be at a height of 50 cm from the ground. About 10 cm should be left between crops. After that, the first layer is spilled, 50 cm of earth is laid again and plants are planted. A bed in the form of a tower can be of any height. To give the vertical bed a more attractive appearance, you can use black film instead of straw.

Technologies for making vertical beds for strawberries with your own hands from pots

Flower pots can be successfully used to grow strawberries. Such designs have a decorative appearance. Suitable for work clay or plastic products. As a result, the design is multi-level. The number of such levels is limited only by personal wishes. Pots are selected so that each subsequent one has a smaller diameter than the previous one. It is desirable that the difference in size between each pair of pots be approximately the same.

The largest pot is set in the selected location and filled with soil. After that, a smaller pot is placed in it, etc. When the structure is ready, plants are planted in the soil and watered.

The next option is based on pots of the same diameter. Only one of them should be big. It will be installed at the very base of the structure. A metal rod or wooden stick should be placed inside a large pot.

Note! The size of the rod must be chosen so that its diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole located at the base of the pot.

The pot is filled with soil. The remaining products are alternately strung on a rod through a hole in the bottom. The result is a multi-tiered structure with pots that seem to balance each other. They are filled with soil, where plants are then planted.

If the site has a high stump or pole, the pots can be fixed on it. In no case should you do this on a living tree. Products are fixed around the circumference in any order. The spiral looks beautiful from the side. You can also use the technique of placing pots in a checkerboard pattern. The only negative of this bed is an inconvenient irrigation system.

Manufacturing technology and photo of do-it-yourself vertical beds for strawberries from tires

The tower of car tires is made in the same way as the construction of flower pots. Tires of different diameters are selected for construction. This material has a significant drawback. old car tires are not environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is recommended to create such beds for one-time use, and in a year to build new ones from other tires.

Before starting work, car tires need to be prepared:

• thoroughly clean them from dirt and stones;
• dry;
• paint if necessary.

After that, the most big tire should be placed on one side. On the other hand, cut side part with disc hole. finished item filled with soil and planted with plants. Similarly, you should do with other tires and install them one on top of the other so that the size of each next one is smaller size the previous one.

Helpful advice! Car tires can be beautifully decorated, as is usually done with flower beds made from this material. For these purposes, you can use bright colors, patterns, or make decorative cuts.

Making high beds for strawberries with your own hands from improvised materials

On a bed made from a bag, the plants will look great. This design can be conveniently placed on the fence, the wall of the gazebo, house, barn or any other stationary building. To work, you need a bag made of plastic or natural fabric. Burlap in the operational sense is much better. It is environmentally friendly and, unlike plastic, is reusable. The fact is that artificial materials are rapidly destroyed by the sun.

On the other hand, burlap has a good throughput providing air access to plants. So that the bottom and sides of the bag do not break through over time under the influence of gravity, it is recommended to stitch them several times. At the top of the product is a loop for hanging. On one side of the bag, holes are made for planting plants. After that, the bed can be filled with earth and planted.

Tiered structures can be made of wood or plastic boxes different size. They are stacked one on top of the other with a gradual decrease in dimensional parameters. Such a ladder of boxes can be painted in bright color and lay around a tree or pole.

Helpful advice! To create a garden bed, you can use old chest of drawers, pushing forward his drawers and filling them with earth. For these purposes, other unnecessary furniture is also suitable.

Recommendations for creating vertical beds for strawberries

Before proceeding with the manufacture of the garden, it would be useful to take into account some tips for the optimal construction of structures:

• if the bed has big size, the assembly must be carried out right at the place of its installation, otherwise there may be problems with transportation, during which the product can be damaged;

• a decorative garden with berries should be placed strictly in the sun. If the vertical bed will be used for growing greens, then its design can be located near the kitchen;
• the soil for filling the beds should be prepared in advance. For berries, sandy loamy soil is suitable, mixed with peat, fertilizer and hydrogel. Quail compost is optimal as a feed;
• you need to think in advance of a system that will protect the beds from frost in the winter. Will the structure be covered or brought into the room;
• the garden is recommended to be located closer to the source of water, so that it is more convenient to carry out regular watering of plants.

Note! The construction of vertical beds for cucumbers is also welcomed by many gardeners. Most of designs are made by analogy with products for strawberries. Since cucumbers belong to the category of climbing crops, the bed should be supplemented with supports for which the plants will cling.

Making vertical beds for cucumbers with your own hands: photos of interesting designs

Vertical garden for cucumbers can be presented various options structures. Most often, bags or products made of plastic are used to grow these crops. The walls of buildings, nets or shields, as well as all kinds of partitions can serve as a surface for fixing the beds. vertical garden for cucumbers with your own hands, you can arrange inside a plastic pipe. Such a product closes on one side and is hung vertically on the crossbars.

A mesh made of plastic is considered the simplest option for organizing an ornamental garden for cucumbers. The product is positioned vertically and as the plants grow, they rise along the grid. A similar version of the beds can be bought ready-made or made by yourself. This will require a thick fishing line and straight tree branches that will serve as supports. They are arranged around the circumference with an equal step and at the top are connected at one point so that a kind of hut is obtained.

With the help of a thick fishing line, you need to walk around the circle, forming a vertical base to secure the plants as they grow. If it is planned to build a bed in the form of a grid for cucumbers, it is strictly forbidden to use for these purposes hardware. Such structures will overheat in hot weather. summer days, and injure plants, leaving burns on them. Bags or canvas bags are a safe option for growing cucumbers.

For the construction of vertical structures, it is allowed to use unusual materials, for example, pallets, old furniture, empty stumps, etc. An unusual approach to decor will allow you to create a garden on the territory, but a beautiful decorative composition, which will optimally fit into the space of the suburban area.