My Easter gift from my kids this year was weeding and cleaning- out my raised beds.  They know it’s time for mom to plant her summer garden.  (Not from seeds, too late for most of what I plant) I like to plant my vegetables in raised beds for many reasons. Here are a few of the advantages to planting in a raised bed:

• less bending and strain on your back
• no soil compaction
• less digging (once you’ve finished amending your soil and planting)
• improves drainage
• easy access to crops on both sides
• adds structure to your garden~ visually enhances your yard
• vegetables in a raised bed can be grown closer together

To get started, the first item on my list is to amend my raised beds.  Using compost and topsoil; I aim for a ration of about 2/3 compost to 1/3 topsoil.  I prefer to buy my topsoil and compost from the local hardware store because it is guaranteed weed and disease free. Next on the agenda is to check my sprinklers.  I can’t tell a lie; it’s actually my son who will be tuning-up the sprinklers. (I can’t do everything!) I use a drip system that evenly distributes water around the base of the plants. After a visit to my favorite nursery, it’s time to plant.  I add a little vermicompost (worm manure) to the bottom of my planting hole as well as a side dressing to the newly planted seedlings.  Vermicompost provides nutrient-rich, biologically beneficial addition to new plants and helps the soil retain its moisture.  To finish my weekend project, I will add a good 1 -2 inches of chipped bark over the surface of my beds, taking care not touch the base of my plants.  This helps with water conservation.  So what’s next?  A little nurturing here and there while I anxiously await the fruits of my labor.