Every year I sit down and make a list of what I want to
accomplish in the following year. Sometimes I get everything done, sometimes
not, the fun is not so much in the actual doing but more in the planning, isn’t
it?
In
my list “To Do” is Metal railway garden
this year.
Yesterday we are starting to prepare a beds for planting
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Urban gardeners can put that stack of old newspapers to good use while making the most of their space by creating raised beds. Relying heavily on nature for most of its cultivation operations, raised beds can offer a good, no-dig gardening alternative to urban dwellers.
The no-dig method consists of layering organic materials on top of soil to create a nutrient rich environment for plants. Organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or straw is added to the topsoil, which eventually breaks down, enriching the soil. Earthworms and other microorganisms then additionally aid with aeration and drainage, further enhancing the quality of the soil. Good soil leads to healthier plant growth with fewer pest and disease problems.
Raised beds can be implemented anywhere, even in smaller urban settings, as they can be specifically designed to fit into any existing space. Carefully determine the best position for your raised beds. Size and mark the beds to determine how much edging material will be required. You can make the sides of the beds with timber, brick, concrete blocks, or basically, whatever works for you and your available space.
Alternatively, large containers or tubs can be used for those having the least available space. Raised beds not only save on space but also make maintenance chores much easier. You can integrate mulched paths between multiple beds in larger areas if desired.
In the bottom of each bed or container, lay several layers of newspaper. It may be necessary to thoroughly wet the newspaper to avoid having it blow away. Begin adding layers or organic material and soil to your raised bed(s). For instance, depending on the size you could add a layer of straw about one-third the depth of your raised bed. Then, add a layer of compost one-third deep and filling the remainder with suitable potting soil.
You can also mix the soil and compost together first. At this point, the raised beds are ready for planting without any digging involved. Simply sow seeds directly into the soil or use your hand to gently scoop out enough dirt to set your plants in and tamp around them.
That’s it. Don’t forget to mulch your beds. This will help retain moisture and improve the looks of your raised beds. Straw is ideal mulch if you’re growing vegetables, while most flowers or foliage plants look attractive with pine needles or shredded bark, all of which eventually breaks down into the soil, beginning the process all over again.
By Nikki Phipps
(Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden)
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/urban/raised-beds-for-urban-settings-no-digging-required.htm
Urban gardeners can put that stack of old newspapers to good use while making the most of their space by creating raised beds. Relying heavily on nature for most of its cultivation operations, raised beds can offer a good, no-dig gardening alternative to urban dwellers.
The no-dig method consists of layering organic materials on top of soil to create a nutrient rich environment for plants. Organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or straw is added to the topsoil, which eventually breaks down, enriching the soil. Earthworms and other microorganisms then additionally aid with aeration and drainage, further enhancing the quality of the soil. Good soil leads to healthier plant growth with fewer pest and disease problems.
Raised beds can be implemented anywhere, even in smaller urban settings, as they can be specifically designed to fit into any existing space. Carefully determine the best position for your raised beds. Size and mark the beds to determine how much edging material will be required. You can make the sides of the beds with timber, brick, concrete blocks, or basically, whatever works for you and your available space.
Alternatively, large containers or tubs can be used for those having the least available space. Raised beds not only save on space but also make maintenance chores much easier. You can integrate mulched paths between multiple beds in larger areas if desired.
In the bottom of each bed or container, lay several layers of newspaper. It may be necessary to thoroughly wet the newspaper to avoid having it blow away. Begin adding layers or organic material and soil to your raised bed(s). For instance, depending on the size you could add a layer of straw about one-third the depth of your raised bed. Then, add a layer of compost one-third deep and filling the remainder with suitable potting soil.
You can also mix the soil and compost together first. At this point, the raised beds are ready for planting without any digging involved. Simply sow seeds directly into the soil or use your hand to gently scoop out enough dirt to set your plants in and tamp around them.
That’s it. Don’t forget to mulch your beds. This will help retain moisture and improve the looks of your raised beds. Straw is ideal mulch if you’re growing vegetables, while most flowers or foliage plants look attractive with pine needles or shredded bark, all of which eventually breaks down into the soil, beginning the process all over again.
By Nikki Phipps
(Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden)
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/urban/raised-beds-for-urban-settings-no-digging-required.htm
garden blogs I like:
http://lifeinmylittlegarden.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Lettuce%20Little%20Gem
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How community gardens help increase awareness about urban ecology:
One concern about increasing urbanization and reduced access to green areas, is that it creates a sort of generational amnesia about people's relationships to, and dependence upon, ecosystems.
City areas that intertwine gardening with social, political and economic practices can boost learning about the interdependencies between humans and nature, help develop a sense-of-place in degraded neighbourhoods and also can help teach communities the importance of urban ecosystems and green areas.
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