This article discusses beds for the lazy: photos of the easiest structures to make for those who want to get a neat garden with a minimum of effort, the most common materials and technologies for creating structures based on them. The reader will learn how to combine vegetable crops in one bed and prepare the soil for planting cucumbers. The article contains practical recommendations for beginning summer residents.

Design proper beds in the garden will solve many problems and open up new opportunities for the owner of a summer cottage:

• protection against soil erosion in the garden when falling out large quantities precipitation or watering plants. The sides of the bed will keep the nutritious soil in place, preventing it from washing out onto the paths. In addition, the passages between the structures themselves will remain clean, no dirty puddles or streaks;

• the possibility of forming the basis for creating a temporary greenhouse for the spring period. By installing high sides as fences, a multi-layer bed can be organized inside the structure, which can be used as a greenhouse. To do this, it is enough to install special arcs and stretch the film. The result will be a neat greenhouse house;
• improving the appearance of the garden due to orderly and even plantings with beautiful framing;
• creating boundaries to prevent the spread of weeds.

Making beds with your own hands from boards and other materials allows you to clearly limit the planting area, thanks to which weeds and harmful plants do not have the opportunity to spread widely. If the garden fence is dug to a greater depth, the level of protection increases and perennial weeds, which are unable to overcome this barrier, can no longer penetrate into the garden bed.

Note! With the help of beds with well-buried fences, the spread of plants such as reeds and creeping wheatgrass is effectively blocked. Their root system is capable of covering long distances underground, if not limited.

Photos of interesting bed designs, recommendations for their creation. Tips for Designing the Unusual landscape design Location on.

The most best place is an area where the sun is present throughout the day. It is allowed to install beds where there is shade in the morning or during the day. If the proposed construction area is dark throughout the day, you should not use this place for arranging a vegetable garden.

How best to make beds in the garden: choosing the optimal design

The design of the beds is selected based on early stage planning, when a place for a vegetable garden has already been selected.

Each type of beds has certain advantages:

• raised or - the most efficient designs that are best suited for growing vegetable crops. The building materials for their creation are not expensive, and the soil does not need to be dug up. The width and height of the structures determine how much effort and time will be required to build them. Most often, summer residents prefer wooden beds made of boards. On the Internet you can find photos of raised beds with your own hands; such structures do not have fencing. They also fall into the category of elevated structures;

• Container beds - will be beneficial in cases where site space is limited. Small, large and medium-sized pots are suitable for organizing such beds. Garlic, peppers, lettuce and herbs feel especially good in containers. Mobility is another advantage of container beds, which can be moved to any location if desired;
• beds in open ground- the oldest method of growing crops that are planted directly into the ground. In such conditions it is more difficult to obtain good harvest, so technology is often used joint landing vegetables in the garden.

Helpful advice! If you plan to plant crops in open ground, it is recommended to determine the quality of the soil, fertilize it and check the compatibility of vegetables in the garden according to the table.

How to make beds from boards with your own hands: useful tips

Raised beds are most often made from wood. This material, in comparison with others, is considered the most practical and environmentally friendly. Such designs look very aesthetically pleasing in the photo. Do-it-yourself beds made from boards have other advantages:

• a simple maintenance system involving easy weeding, harvesting and watering of plants;
• the ability to grow vegetable crops even where the soil is completely unsuitable for these purposes. A frame is made on the basis of the boards, which is subsequently filled with fertile soil purchased in the store, so there is no connection to the quality of the soil and its composition. Thanks to this, plants can be grown even in areas with rocky surfaces;

• Box structures allow you to hold soil inside the bed. In addition, the presence of sides simplifies the process of installing arcs to form a greenhouse. It is much easier to secure these elements to the fence than to dig them into the soil;
• Even without knowing how to properly make garden beds, any summer resident can cope with the manufacture of wooden box structures. The boards are easy to process, and the construction and assembly of the frame does not require expensive tools;
• there is no chance that plants planted close to the sides will get burned in the summer heat. Wood, unlike metal, is not prone to overheating.

Note! The environmental friendliness of the material allows you not to worry about getting into the ground. harmful substances. Wood is much safer than asbestos-cement sheets (slate). The exception is boards treated with chemicals designed to double the life of the material.

Making practical beds from boards: how to make the right choice of material

Summer residents most often create wooden structures based on materials found on the farm. To make beds, timber, round timber, slab, and lining can be used.

When it comes to purchasing boards in a store, you should pay special attention to the type of wood from which they are made:

• a board made of ash or oak will last a very long time. Although the cost of such products is quite high;
• pine remains the most favorable in terms of price and processing. But this type of wood is highly susceptible to rotting while in the ground, so its service life is short. By using impregnations and antiseptics, the life of pine can be extended by a couple of years;
• boards made of cedar and larch wood are considered the most suitable material for making boxes. Larch is naturally impregnated with resin, thanks to which the product will retain its newness for many years without the use of additional impregnations. Cedar wood is characterized by a lower resin content, but it is not inferior to larch in terms of durability and at the same time has an affordable price;

• Boards made from acacia feel good in the ground. It is worth noting that this type of wood is durable and has a solid structure, so its processing will be more difficult. To work with acacia you will need a powerful electric tool.

Helpful advice! It is not recommended to skimp on the quality of the material. Boards made from poor wood are susceptible to rapid rotting. After a few years, holes will appear on the fences of the garden beds, through which fertile soil will be washed away during rains and watering of plants.

Making beds from boards with your own hands: photos, dimensions of structures

Box beds have a rectangular shape and are made of boards. The simplest design does not require special knowledge and skills, so any novice summer resident can handle its manufacture. The main thing is to correctly calculate the dimensions of the boxes.

• height– many summer residents strive to create the highest possible sides. However, this approach is erroneous if it is not intended to build a warm bed for cucumbers or other types of crops, where a fence height of up to 0.7 m is acceptable. The technology for manufacturing such structures requires laying multi-layer insulation. For ordinary beds such high fences are not required, it is enough to limit yourself to 0.15-0.2 m. Excessive height of the sides is also unprofitable in economic terms, because their construction will require a lot of boards. In addition, wood is susceptible to deformation changes under the influence of moisture, so there is a risk that over time high fences will swell and lose their attractive shape;

• width– experienced summer residents recommend choosing a width equal to half the height of the person who will care for the beds. Most often, this parameter is in the range of 0.9-1.2 m, because during work a person should be able to reach the middle of the structure from the side fence;
• length– this parameter is practically unlimited. Although excessively long structures reduce the level of rigidity of the side rails, it is therefore recommended to choose a length within 4-6 m.

Helpful advice! When choosing dimensional parameters for wooden beds, you should take into account that between them you need to organize passages 0.4-0.6 m wide. Only after this is considered the layout of structures on the site.

Creating mixed plantings of vegetables in the garden: photo examples and optimal schemes

The method of combining crops is very effective in practice if the companion plants are chosen well. Therefore, plot owners use a special table to calculate the proximity of vegetables in the beds before planting. Some types of vegetables have a depressing effect on each other, others can improve the growth and development of neighbors and provide them with protection from pests.

The correct proximity of vegetables in the beds: compatibility table

Many summer residents note that thanks to the proximity of beans as a seal for the beds where potatoes are grown, the number of Colorado potato beetles is significantly reduced. Marigolds effectively protect cabbage from the white butterfly. Despite this, a certain balance must be maintained. After all, an excessive amount of marigolds in the garden can stifle the growth of cabbage.

Table of vegetable neighbors in the garden that create a successful tandem:

The following pairs of plants are characterized by poor compatibility of planting vegetables in the garden:

• cabbage and strawberries;
• onions and beans;
• carrots and celery, dill, parsley;
• cucumbers and potatoes.

Helpful advice! In addition to the main crops, it is recommended to spot plant herbs and ornamental herbs in the garden bed. Thus, the garden will not only be beautiful, but also useful.

Examples of mixed planting of vegetables in the garden: popular schemes

A good example of the compatibility of vegetables in the garden is the combination of onions and carrots. As an independent crop, onions can produce about 2.5 kg of yield from 1 m² of bed. Carrots on the same area yield approximately 6 kg of yield. When growing these crops together, you can get 9 kg of vegetables from 1 m². These plants create protective barriers against pests for each other, so the efficiency of the used area increases.

Of course, when planning to grow crops together in a garden bed, you need to group the plants based on their height so that none of them blocks the light for the other. This is necessary because vegetables can not only have different heights, but also grow at different rates. It is desirable that the compactors that are planted additionally be lower in height than the main vegetables. The principle of multi-tiered juxtaposition of vegetables in the beds makes it possible to create favorable conditions for the root system of crops, and also promotes rational use solar energy.

High yields are collected from the beds where beets and late cabbage. To do this, beets (9 plants) and cabbage (4 bushes) should be planted on an area of ​​0.8x0.8 m, not forgetting to fertilize the holes with a glass of compost and a handful of eggshells (grind first).

To get excellent results when planting beans and tomatoes, it is recommended to place the plants in a row with a step of 0.3 m. Along the row with bush beans, it is installed so that each plant is located at the dropper. Tomatoes are planted in the central part of the garden bed. As a result, the bean and tomato bushes should be arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

Helpful advice! It is better to trim tomato stems for the winter, and as low as possible. On the contrary, it is recommended to leave beans untouched.

Table of crop rotation of vegetables in beds by crop groups

Crop rotation can also affect the yield of beds. If the annual change of crops grown in the same bed is carried out in the correct order, the garden will produce good harvests.

Advantages correct construction crop rotation:

• the likelihood of soil fatigue on the site is eliminated, since the same vegetable absorbs the same set of nutrients from the soil every year and does it from the same depth;
• the spread of diseases and pests that affect plants of the same family is prevented;
• it becomes possible to use fertilizers rationally.

The most primitive way of organizing crop rotation in a garden bed involves planting plants from different families in the same area every year. The easiest way is to divide cultures into four groups:

1. Leafy crops – these include various types of cabbage, green onions, lettuce, and spinach.
2. Fruit vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, pumpkin.
3. Legumes - beans, chickpeas, peas.
4. Root vegetables - potatoes, beets, radishes, carrots.

Table of the simplest crop rotation in the garden:

Arrangement of beds for cucumbers in open ground: photos and recommendations

To grow cucumbers in open ground, beds are usually prepared in the fall. This should be done before the rains and temperatures drop. The planting area must be carefully dug up and saturated with organic fertilizers. Cucumbers like fertile, light soil that has a good level of air and water permeability. If the soil on the site is heavy, sawdust, peat or sand can be added to the soil to facilitate loosening.

Helpful advice! To get a rich harvest, it is recommended to add a tablespoon of superphosphate and a glass of ash per 1 m² of area. Instead of ash, you can use dolomite flour.

The process of preparing a bed for cucumbers in the spring includes the procedure for disinfecting the soil. To do this, the site of the future garden is spilled with potassium permanganate. The solution must be hot and strong. In addition, soil fertility can be increased by adding chicken manure or manure. This procedure carried out locally, that is, the fertilizer is placed directly into the trench or hole. After this, the bed is covered with a small layer of soil, where the seeds are then planted.

How to make a bed for cucumbers: agrotechnical secrets

To get a rich harvest of cucumbers from the garden, you must adhere to the basic rules:

1. There should be no irrigation canals, streams or flowing reservoirs near the beds.
2. If the planting area is not protected, it is better to place the garden in a quiet place where there are no drafts.
3. Procedures such as watering and loosening the soil must be performed on a regular basis. Otherwise, a hard crust will form on the surface, and the bed will dry out greatly.
4. Cucumbers grown in open ground need to be fed much more often than those grown in closed beds.
5. During harvesting, it is not recommended to change the position of the plant's vines or turn them over.
6. Weeding of plants in open beds needs to be done more often than in closed ground.
7. It is recommended to cover the entire surface of the bed with black film.

Cucumbers need a rich biological composition of the soil. Therefore, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with organic matter, for example, grass, humus, branches, rotted manure, and food waste. In the process of their decomposition, not only does the fertility of the soil increase, but also heat is released, warming the soil. So that the high temperature does not damage root system cucumbers, experienced summer residents advise abundant watering.

Interesting fact! Sometimes decomposition organic fertilizers occurs so actively that the soil in the garden bed warms up to 80° C. Under the influence of such high temperature Many pests, viruses and pathogenic fungi contained in the soil die. As a result, natural sterilization of the soil occurs.

There are several ways to grow cucumbers in open ground. For these purposes, you can form a long ridge bed, a hole, dig a ditch, or build a high structure.

How to make cucumber beds in the garden with a bookmark

To form a bed with a bookmark, you will need to dig a trench. The depth of the ditch should be equal to two shovels. Then branches are laid out across and sawdust is poured in. The next layer consists of straw and garden waste. You can add autumn leaves, cardboard or newspapers, and compost. The thickness of the fertilizer layer should be within 5-7 cm. The layer is poured warm water and covered with a mixture of compost and soil.

A bed with a bookmark can effectively serve for 5 years. In the second year of operation, you will not need to add compost to the top layer, because during the decomposition of organic components, the bed itself will produce nutrients.

Advantages of a bed for growing cucumbers with a bookmark:

• convenient watering system;
• stagnation of water is eliminated;
• In spring there is no need to dig up the soil, just loosen the soil.

Plants can be planted on such a nutrient basis much earlier than is customary in conventional beds. It is not recommended to use beds with filling in low-lying areas and areas where water stagnates.

Warm surface beds for cucumbers in open ground

This type of warm beds for growing cucumbers is built on the surface of prepared soil. This technology will be the best option for areas located in lowlands. In order to enhance the heating process, the bed is covered with film. As a result, it is formed Greenhouse effect, which has a positive effect on the growth of cucumbers and their yield.

Surface beds also include structures in the form of boxes made of brick, slate or boards. The bottom of these containers is filled with sand, then with wood waste. Next comes a layer of organic waste and straw. After laying each component, the contents are carefully compacted and filled with liquid manure. Finally, the bed is filled with a mixture consisting of soil.

Helpful advice! Vegetable and fruit skins, fallen leaves, eggshell(ground into powder).

Cucumbers are planted in two rows. Plants are placed along the edges of the box bed, which ensures enough level illumination If you plan to plant cucumbers in early spring, the structures can be converted into greenhouses. To do this, you will need to install plastic arcs and stretch plastic film over them. Thus, heating is enhanced and it becomes possible to obtain early harvest. Moreover, the result is completely independent of weather conditions.

Raised beds for cucumbers in open ground

Warm beds with a raised structure are used in cases where the site is located in a region with a cold and humid climate. Due to this, the soil is fully warmed up, allowing for early harvesting. If they get too close to the garden groundwater, the bed is raised high, due to which the plantings do not get wet on soil that is oversaturated with moisture. Stone fruit trees, whose roots are severely affected by groundwater, are planted in a similar way.

As borders for these structures they are used various materials. The most popular of them are slate and wood. In rare cases, metal is used. This type of bed can even be installed in the middle of the lawn. If you frame it in the form of paving stones or tiles, a raised vegetable garden with cucumbers will become a worthy decoration of your summer cottage.

As an alternative solution, you can build a mound on the territory that does not have a fence. You can take any length for such a bed; the optimal width is 1 m. You should not raise the ornamental garden to a height of more than 1 m. The air that remains in the voids formed between the elements of large organic matter provides good ventilation and promotes rapid heating of the soil.

To speed up the decomposition process of fertilizers, the soil is spilled with a solution saturated with special bacteria. The procedure is carried out twice a year. The first time the soil is watered with bacteria is in the spring. After treating the beds, you should wait at least a week before planting plants. The second time the soil is spilled in the fall after the crop is harvested. When the soil has already been treated with the composition, it should be loosened so that the soil is saturated with oxygen and the drug itself is evenly distributed.

How to make beds in the garden: video review of technology

It would seem that something new can be invented to increase productivity, because agriculture as a science has existed for hundreds of years. During this time, many methods and technologies have been tested. Some of them are more successful, some less, but traditional approach Growing vegetables involves creating a bed where the plants receive enough light and water.

Work related to land is always tedious, especially when the plot is large. It needs to be prepared, seeded, and requires daily care in the summer. Plants are attacked by pests, diseases and weeds. Growing seedlings and budding fruits require feeding, and from time to time there is a desire to sow this entire garden with lawn grass or lay it with paving slabs.

If this idea comes to you regularly, then it’s time to think about making your work easier. No, we are not talking about buying expensive cultivators, irrigation systems, electric soil cultivators and gasoline weed mowers.

A unique technology called “high beds” will help you increase productivity while significantly reducing labor costs. Its uniqueness lies, first of all, in its simplicity.

A high bed is not formed. It's under construction. A raised bed is a stationary structure, so it is important to initially plan the site correctly. In order not to reinvent the wheel, it would be most logical to equip new beds in place of old, time-tested ones.

So, what is a raised bed? To put it simply, this is a box of arbitrary sizes into which they fill in a certain order. various components nutritious soil. The size of the bed should be such that it is convenient for you to work. Some gardeners build beds at such a height that they do not have to bend over at all during sowing, weeding and watering. The optimal height is considered to be 40 cm. The length of the bed is arbitrary, the width should provide free access to the plants. Usually it is 120-150 cm.

A high bed can be built directly on the surface of the earth, or it can be deepened. In any case, the design of a high bed should be strong and stable.

To make a box, lumber with a thickness of at least 4 cm or round logs with a diameter of 8 cm are suitable. You can use brick or other construction material, available at hand. The inner walls are lined with moisture-proofing material - film or oilcloth. Lay on the bottom mesh- it will protect against mice and moles. To strengthen the structure, vertical posts are required so that the walls do not sag.

The height of the structure being created is determined individually, the main thing is that it is comfortable to work while standing or even sitting. Bed width - no more than 130 cm, otherwise it will be difficult to water and care for the plants. The length is arbitrary, depending on your desire, available space and the amount of filling material.

When constructing a high bed without a recess, directly on the surface of the earth, it is filled in as follows:

• The first, lowest layer is drainage (3).
• The next layer is geotextile (2). Geotextile is a non-woven material made of polypropylene fibers, resistant to various chemical compounds (alkalis, acids). It is not susceptible to rotting, fungi or mold, and roots do not grow through it.
• Main layer - fertile land, mixed with hydrogel (1). Hydrogel is a material with a unique ability to absorb and retain moisture. Non-toxic, retains its properties at high and low temperatures in the soil for five years.

Now about the material. Many people refuse to install raised beds due to the initial costs. Of course, a bed built of brick is good. But this is expensive, and on a large area the costs will be quite significant. To begin with, you can build a bed from a board.

Usually there is always something on the site from which you can build a simple structure and a fence for the garden bed. These may be remnants of slate or finishing plastic. These raised beds won't last long, but you definitely won't have to dig anything for a few years.

Once you are convinced of the effectiveness of the technology, it will gradually be possible to build capital beds.

To extend the life of a wooden bed from the inside it will be useful lay tightly plastic film or others polymer material. On small areas You can build multi-level beds.

The lowest high bed will be from South, and gradually the height of the beds should increase. Then all plants will receive enough light, as they will not shade each other.

In the area marked for the bed, the top fertile layer of soil is selected and set aside. If the depth is not sufficient for laying the foundation of the bed walls, it is brought to the required level; 25-30 cm will be quite enough.

Laying high beds

The raised beds have been built, now you can start working on them. bookmark. In areas with rainy summers, it is worth taking care drainage. There is no need to be afraid of this word; you won’t have to build anything. Simply cover the bottom layer with debris that has accumulated on the site. This way you will restore order and prevent stagnation of water in the garden bed. Branches after pruning the garden, waste paper, rags - everything that will rot for a long time will also go here.

If rodents have been noticed in the area, it will be useful to place a metal plaster mesh with a fine mesh under the drainage layer. Moles and mice will not pass through such a barrier.

On a layer of long-composting material put leaves, grass, of course, the one without seeds. This layer will rot quickly; moreover, during the composting process, heat will be generated, which will significantly delay the ripening time of the crop. Now water the high bed with water and cover it with a layer of fertile soil that you previously set aside.

During the season, the high bed is several will settle, then you will pour compost into it, which will now ripen in a secluded corner of the garden. You will no longer burn fallen leaves or take them to a landfill, but will begin to collect all organic matter for compost. This is another advantage of raised beds. The use of chemical fertilizers is not required here, because for a limited area of ​​the garden bed you can always prepare a bucket or two of organic fertilizer.

Benefits of raised beds

So what did we get in the end? There is no need to dig the bed, much less the paths around it. Sometimes you are amazed when you see how gardeners dig up the entire plot and then trample the paths. A reasonable question arises: why?

Even if there is no raised bed, there is no need to dig where people walk. Perhaps in order to help weeds break through the layer of trampled earth. Before planting seedlings or sowing seeds, the soil in the garden bed is simply loosened. Thanks to the presence of compost, such soil is light and fertile.

On high beds you can grow two crops per year. This does not apply to cabbage and carrots, but it is quite possible to grow radishes or lettuce and have time to harvest them before the main sowing. The fact is that high beds warm up well not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Enough energy from decomposing drainage material to start seeding early vegetables much ahead of schedule. A high bed is an ideal preparation for a greenhouse. By installing a greenhouse in early March, you will be able to harvest fortified greens on your site throughout April and early May.

You don't need any additional heating. By the time the time comes to plant seedlings of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, you will have time to harvest the first harvest. In the same way, you can use the garden bed after the main crops have already been harvested from the garden. Daikon, onions, cilantro and other crops with short terms ripening.

High bed requires more water than usual, so in areas with dry summers you can do without drainage, and the height of the bed should be small. The sides protruding by 15-20 cm will be just right. Thickened plantings are allowed on high beds, and in hot summers they must be mulched.

Try to equip one small bed, and you will be able to fully appreciate all its advantages yourself.

Making high beds - boxes

How to make raised beds: 100 useful ideas

You will be surprised by your past doubts about whether to make raised beds in your dacha... Your back will thank you - you will simply bend down slightly to care for the bed. Your knees will thank you - you can simply sit on the edge of the bed and tend to your garden. Your plants will thank you - no more competition weeds or nearby fruit trees. Your land will be grateful to you - you do not trample it and ennoble it with humus. Your garden with raised beds can look beautiful, be comfortable and reward you with a bountiful harvest.

How to make raised beds with your own hands.

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

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

3. Extend the high beds. Because The design of our beds is modular; we can extend our bed on either 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 take steps to protect your garden right now than to unsuccessfully fight these rodents later. We place a metal mesh at the bottom of each box so that it extends slightly over the edges of the fences.

5. How to protect the soil in a high bed from washing out into the main soil. To do this, we use regular packing cardboard in two layers so that it covers the entire bottom of our garden box. If there are not enough solid pieces, we use scraps of cardboard and staple them to the main piece so that the cardboard at the bottom of the box does not move when pouring soil.

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 normal. To improve the soil composition, you can add peat or compost. We pour the soil into the garden box, check its horizontal level, and water it to compact it a little. During the season we will need to add a little soil.

7. Irrigation system for high beds. It is planned to attach a garden hose with watering nozzles along the contour of the raised beds: we need 90 and 180 degree dividers.

8. Trellis for high beds. Because the soil in a high bed is loose, 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 onto the trellises to climbing plants- cucumbers and beans. For tomatoes we install light supports made of steel rod.

What you need to know when building a raised bed.

1. Try to protect raised 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 - this way the plants will be evenly illuminated, otherwise taller plants will shade others.

3. The planting density on a high bed is twice as high as on a regular one. This is how plants fight weeds and create a humid microclimate for the foliage.

4. High beds with sides will allow elderly people or people with back problems to easily care for their gardens.

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

6. Divide a long, high bed into square segments with cross braces to reduce soil pressure on the side walls of the bed.

Fences for raised beds.

1. Most often, wooden fences are used for clear beds. There are several points here - do not use used wood, especially sleepers, which may contain harmful chemical substances. Do not treat fresh wood with protection products unless you are sure that they are completely environmentally safe.

2. Wattle fence as a fence for a high bed. Despite 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, and soil can spill out through the cracks. Everything can be fixed - use a layer of double cardboard along the inner perimeter of the fence. It is environmentally friendly, the air gap between the sheets serves as thermal insulation, and the soil 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 you need to take into account that concrete will affect the acidity of the soil in the garden bed for 2-3 years.

6. The best fencing for raised beds is plastic. They do not release anything of their own into the soil, excellent thermal insulation, long service life and the ability to set any shape of the bed, unlike standard rectangular beds with wooden fences.

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

Why are raised beds needed?

High beds allow you to increase the area for a vegetable garden because... awkward slopes or poor or clogged soil can be used. Raised beds provide an eco-friendly way to control weeds and soil erosion.

Such beds warm up faster and produce an earlier harvest. They allow you to more economically use moisture for irrigation.

Various types of raised 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 bed. This form of high bed is also called a “keyhole”.

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

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

2. High bed without fences. When constructing such a bed, the first layer of tree trunks (not conifers), branches, roots, and snags are placed in the ground at a shallow depth; the second layer is this removed turf from the place where you are making the bed, laid with grass down; the third layer is 20-30 cm of basic soil mixed with humus.

To irrigate raised raised beds, an irrigation irrigation system is used, when water comes from a ditch between the beds - a good option for vegetable gardens that are flooded in the spring, or you can use drip irrigation, when water enters the garden bed from mini terraces.

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

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

Do not spare space for paths between high beds - this way you can always go there with a garden wheelbarrow both for harvesting and with a new portion of humus. Spare your back - use a wheelbarrow.

If your raised beds are located next to fruit trees, perhaps, before setting up the beds, you will need to install a root barrier - dig a trench, cut off the root on the approach to the beds, install a metal sheet into a trench, which will prevent the root from growing in this direction and cover the trench with soil.

Learn more about raised beds through your own experience. This topic contains many interesting finds, experiments and new discoveries for every gardener.

Video with 100 inspiring examples of using raised beds in the country.

IN Lately So-called “high beds” have become popular among amateur gardeners, as they are more convenient to work with than regular ones.

Gardeners who have just begun to develop their plots should be interested in the idea of ​​a raised bed. An already landscaped area will not lose from such a bed, and the harvest from such beds will pleasantly surprise you.

How to make warm, high and comfortable beds on the site?

What are “raised beds”?

These are boxes without a bottom, 7-11 m long, 1.3 m wide, 0.7-0.8 m high, and 0.4-0.5 m deep below ground level. This height of the bed (table height) allows the elderly and physically weak people can carry out planting and caring for plants without much effort.

Digging the bed 40-50 cm below ground level is necessary in order to lay down walls through which rats, mice, and moles will not penetrate into the bed.

You can build a garden bed along the wall of a house, but not with north side, its width in this case should not exceed 80 cm (the length of an outstretched arm). If the eaves of the roof of the house are holding back rainwater, this garden bed option is no longer available.

Oval and even round beds are possible (Fig. 1,2). They are built from flexible wavy sheets, and are fastened inside with wire.

If possible, choose the direction of the bed from north to south. If the direction of the bed is from east to west, then the plants should be placed so that tall types of vegetable crops, such as peas, are located on the north side of the bed.

Building material for raised beds

A raised bed is a structure that should last for decades. This must be taken into account when making a construction decision. The most important elements of the building are the walls. What material should they be made of? More important than others are properties such as frost resistance, rot resistance, corrosion resistance and relative strength. Some amateur gardeners solve the problem by buying on occasion. cheap material, for example, what is left of a broken house, and most often destined for a landfill.

As they say, “everything on the farm comes in handy.” It can be wood (Photo. 1), hollow blocks, porous or just old brick (Photo. 2). And finally, the most suitable building material is sheets, the use of which for building beds saves working time.

These are, first of all, wavy sheets (Photo. 3), usually 2x1 m in size, made from a wide variety of materials (in our case it can be slate). The advantage of sheets is their stability and strength, provided by “waves” that evenly distribute the external load. Even the thinnest corrugated slabs are suitable for constructing the walls of a high bed.

Laying a high bed

Organic material for filling the beds is prepared in advance, several months before the planned construction. A pile of branches, twigs, and round timber gives the impression of a huge mass, but after chopping and compacting this pile turns into a modest heap. Hence the rule, confirmed by experience: to prepare twice as much material for stuffing as seems sufficient at first glance. And since the need for organic material for raised beds is very large, it is necessary to use waste that can become compost.

The wood materials used to build a garden bed include trunks, twigs and branches, waste construction timber, sawdust, and shavings. Pieces of plywood are less suitable, as they contain chemical glue. But if you do use them, then only as a “bulk filling,” and their place is at the very bottom, at the bottom of the pit.

Suitable material - old newspapers. Newsprint, made from wood pulp, decays quickly and is readily eaten by earthworms. The same can be said about cardboard if there is no photo or color printing on it. As a filler, to increase the amount of arable land per 10 meter bed, 2 m 2 of clay or sand is required (Fig. 3).

Construction and filling of high beds

In the future, you can refuse the spirit level. To do this, you need to find two fixed points on the front wall, and hammer in two pegs on the opposite side to which you can attach a cord.

A new stage of work - filling the beds

It should start from the bottom, with the most voluminous material: tree trunks, boards, logs, stumps, piles of newspapers can be laid between them. The larger the material for packing, the deeper it must be laid.

Blocks and stumps, located below everyone else and receiving less air, form a kind of “reserve” for soil microorganisms, thanks to which they remain active even in winter.

The clay filler is mixed with arable soil, and sand is buried in the middle layers of the bed, where it serves as an air-conducting material.

Then come the unchopped branches, which are trampled underfoot. They are covered with arable soil taken from the next section of the bed.

Then again crosswise a layer of branches, this time chopped.

This layer is covered with the remaining subsoil and then in the same order until the end of the bed, until another front wall is installed.

At this stage, it is already possible, without fear of ending up with your feet in the water, to water the loosened arable soil from a hose so that swimming occurs in places. And in the future, the bed will be moistened not only through watering from above, but also due to the capillary rise of moisture from below.

There is no need to worry about compaction of the bed from flooding, which is harmful to plants. This “care” is taken over by brushwood, branches and twigs. Thanks to their cross-shaped position, in an almost meter-thick layer, thousands of small depressions appear - chambers filled with air and so important for the functioning of the bed.

Now you can continue filling the bed: sticks the size of a hammer handle, finely chopped bushes and again a shovel of arable soil from a pile lying to the side, then newspapers, but now not in a whole pile, but unrolled and pre-moistened.

As the volume of filling increases, more and more arable land is required for filling. We are surprised to suddenly discover that our “creation” is even more insatiable than we could have imagined. Instead of soil, if you run out of it, you can pour sand and lay cobblestones.

When the filling level reaches 30 cm, counting from the top, begin stretching. A steel wire is threaded through two holes drilled through the convexities of the sheet on the opposite walls of the bed, both ends are connected and tightened with a screwdriver until (Fig. 4). until the wire loop is stretched, in this case it is necessary to catch in time the moment the tension of the opposite walls stops.

Benefits of a raised bed

Due to the fact that seasonal bacteria create an initial strong heating of the bed above (40°C), and the subsequent temperature is kept constant at (2°C) above the ambient temperature of the earth, vegetables grow faster than in a flat bed. The increased temperature is explained by the fact that the overheating of the organic material of the bed occurs in some places slowly, in others faster, and not immediately, as in conventional plots.

• Blocks, stumps and other coarse material located at the bottom, at the lowest point of the packing, and poorly supplied with air, rot more slowly. And it is here that anaerobic microorganisms behave most actively - a constant source of heat, albeit moderate.
• The second reason for the slightly increased temperature of the bed is the insulating effect of air chambers created during packing.
• And thirdly, the increased temperature of the bed is the result of the dark color of the wavy slabs. Increased ground temperatures accelerate seed germination and vegetable ripening, unless prolonged unfavorable weather (cold, rain) negates these benefits.

A high bed creates optimal conditions for growing spinach, lettuce, green asparagus, strawberries, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, celery, tomatoes, leeks, carrots, mushrooms, tuber fennel and other crops (Fig. 6). You can, of course, grow flowers, but not those that are “too lazy” to bloom in the fatty, rich nutrients soil.

If we assume that a high bed is a bed for 10 years, then we can count on a constant increase in the humus layer, savings in fertilizers and an almost complete abandonment of plant protection products.

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

Do-it-yourself raised beds at the dacha: photoand design features

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

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

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

Features of raised beds: pros and cons of designs

The construction of such structures is accompanied by minimal costs, therefore, 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 rocky surfaces or heavy clay soil;
• beds simplify the process of cultivating the land and do not require extensive care. You only need to dig the ground twice. The first time is 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 the soil deeply; it is enough to stir the soil with a garden fork;

• The production 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 removing weeds is not difficult;
• accelerated ripening of vegetables in high beds is facilitated by good drainage system, which is organized inside the structure;
• the soil in high beds is protected from freezing, which often happens in the spring when frost returns. 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 rainstorms, which often destroy the crop.

The designs have few disadvantages. They consist in the need for enhanced mineral fertilizing and frequent watering. You will also need to keep an eye on the mole cricket. This pest loves to live in high beds.

How to make a raised garden bed with your own hands: common technologies

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

• triangular shaped mounded gardens;
• multi-tiered structures;
• trapezoidal bulk beds;
• decorative vegetable gardens.

Note! Setting up raised beds does not require large expenditures. Many summer residents use improvised materials for these purposes. In most cases, it is enough to create raised beds by purchasing bricks, as well as a mixture that improves soil quality and drainage.

To build a high, triangular-shaped mound garden, you only need a shovel. The dimensional parameters of the bed are selected taking into account what plants will be grown. The size of the root system of crops is taken into account. The maximum permissible height of a bulk garden is 0.3 m, the width is about 0.7 m. In the process of filling the bed with soil, there is no need to compact the soil.

A similar scheme is used to create a trapezoidal bed. The upper part of the bulk garden should not exceed 0.3 m in width. You can use boards to cover the upper slopes. It is also possible to use mulch, which will have a positive effect on the condition of the soil.

To make a multi-tiered strawberry bed with your own hands, a profile pipe or fittings are suitable. Metal structural elements are fastened by welding or bolting. Containers or boxes filled with soil are placed on the finished frame base.

Making raised beds: photo and choice of material

Fences on high beds are needed to ensure 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 a traditional material for creating practical and reliable structures for raised beds. Slate is also popular, but less environmentally friendly. In addition, it has one significant drawback - its fragile structure. During the construction of a vegetable garden, this material can be damaged if the rules for handling it are neglected.

The most durable and strong beds are made from brick or stone. Large elements are connected using concrete mortar. Concrete itself is often used, when working with which you should carefully consider the shape, dimensional parameters and location of the garden, since the bed in this case will be stationary and it will not be possible to move it over time. When making structures from 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;
• ready-made structures in the form of plastic fencing.

Note! Construction of raised beds from plastic panels- the most budget-friendly way to get a vegetable garden. You can even find plastic slate in the assortment of individual stores.

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

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

Fertile soil and a layer of sawdust are used as filler. Mittlider set aside a width of 0.9 m for the paths between the structures. To prevent the growth of weeds in this area, the vegetable grower spread agrofibre.

Unlike his American colleague, Igor Lyadov suggests using organic matter rather than mineral supplements. 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. Lyadov's high beds are 0.6-1 m wide.

Between the structures there are passages 0.6-0.8 m wide. This area can be covered with roofing felt, sand, tiles or sawdust to make it easier to move along the plantings and not think about weeds. The space between the 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 indicated the placement of the beds. Plantings should be placed from north to south. This is the only way the plants will be provided with the necessary level of sunlight.

Do-it-yourself raised bed: how to make itwooden structure

The technology provides for the construction of a 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 ​​the summer cottage. At the first stage of construction, the optimal location for placing the vegetable garden is selected. It is better if the selected area is illuminated by the sun for at least 5 hours throughout the day. Even a place unsuitable for growing crops, such as a vacant lot, is suitable for this purpose.

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After this, the design of the beds at the dacha is developed, photo interesting options placements can be found on the Internet or in gardening magazines. Before construction begins, the site is cleared of debris, stones and rhizomes of perennial weeds. Annual weeds do not need to be removed, since the need for this procedure disappears 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, wooden blocks should be prepared, each 40 cm high. A cut should be made at the ends of the boards intended for assembling the frame at an angle of 45°.

Before you begin assembling the frame, you should treat the wooden elements with a special impregnation or antiseptic to stop the rotting process and prevent rapid deterioration of the material, which can be caused by exposure to moisture. The outside of the boards can be painted or coated with a varnish. For decorative purposes, patterns can be applied to the surface. After waiting for it to dry completely, you can begin assembling the box. If the bed design provides two levels, each of the tiers is fastened with beams.

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

How to fill a raised bed made of boards with your own hands

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

• The drainage system is laid as the first layer; to organize it, tree bark is used, 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;
• a water-permeable material is used as the third layer; it is performed in the same way as the first layer;
• the basis for the fourth layer is organic matter; this layer can be supplemented with complex mineral fertilizer;
• The fifth layer is fertile soil, the composition of the soil depends on the plants that will be grown in the garden bed, the minimum thickness of the fertile layer is 10 cm.

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

Helpful advice! If the construction of the beds is carried out in late summer or autumn, the structure should be left covered until spring.

Making vertical beds with your own hands: photos and technologies

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

The construction of vertical beds will be an excellent solution for planting crops that require a lot of space on the site. These structures are ideal for growing herbs, strawberries, flowers, strawberries. Moreover, owners of summer cottages can not only build themselves, but also buy vertical beds in finished form 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 is compact sizes. Moreover, this advantage of the 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. Lightweight bed made from plastic bottles, is best suited for these purposes.

Vertically installed beds do not require complex care. The plantings are at a sufficient height to allow weeding or harvesting to be carried out in comfortable conditions. To do this, you do not need to bend low and endure back pain. In this case, the plants and their roots are raised high above the ground, out of reach of rodents and small pests. Pyramid or cylinder-shaped beds make it difficult for birds to land comfortably to eat the berries.

Prices for ready-made structures:

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

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

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

After this, a pair of boards 2 m long, with an angular cut at the edges, are laid on a horizontal plane and connected to each other. A rail is mounted into the base to organize the future bed 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 secured to it. They are made in a similar way.

When the frame part of the pyramid is ready, use a tape measure to measure the length of the slats intended for making beds. They should be placed in increments of 25-30 cm. To secure the slats, you will need to cut the ends at an angle of 30° to make the shelf raised. Upon completion of assembly, the structure is filled with soil, which should be compacted. The products can also be successfully used for growing vegetables and herbs.

Technology for making 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 required for growing plants. The product is cut lengthwise. To fix the beds in a vertical position, holes should be made on both sides of each half. A steel cable or 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 half-levels can be unlimited.

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

Do-it-yourself construction of vertical beds from construction mesh

Small vegetable gardens created on the basis of a building grid are suitable for growing strawberries, flowers, herbs or potatoes. To 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 into the shape of a pipe, the diameter of which is 0.9 m. Using wire or other devices, the edges of the section must be fastened in this position. Straw is placed on the sides inside the structure. Thanks to this, the soil will not spill out. The free space is filled.

If you intend to grow potatoes, the first level of plants should be located at a height of 50 cm from the ground. Approximately 10 cm should be left between crops. After this, the first layer is shed, 50 cm of soil is laid again and the plants are planted. A tower bed can have any height. To give a 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 used successfully to grow strawberries. Such designs have a decorative appearance. Clay or plastic products are suitable for work. The result is a multi-level design. 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 placed in the chosen location and filled with soil. After this, 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 large. 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 selected 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 strung one by one onto a rod through a hole at the bottom. The result is a multi-tiered structure with pots that seem to balance on top of each other. They are filled with soil, where plants are then planted.

If there is a tall stump or pole on the site, the pots can be fixed to it. Under no circumstances should this be done on a living tree. Products are fixed around the circumference in any order. The spiral looks beautiful from the outside. You can also use the technique of placing pots in a checkerboard pattern. The only disadvantage of this garden bed is the inconvenient watering system.

Manufacturing technology and photos of vertical beds for strawberries made from tires with your own hands

A tower made from car tires is made in exactly the same way as a structure made from 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 after a year to build new ones from other tires.

Before starting work, car tires need to be prepared:

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

After this, the largest tire should be laid on one side. On the other hand, the side part with the hole for the disk is cut off. The finished element is filled with soil and planted with plants. You should do the same with other tires and install them one on top of the other so that the size of each next one is smaller than the size of 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 your own raised beds for strawberries from scrap materials

Plants will look great in a bed made from a bag. This design can be conveniently placed on a fence, wall of a gazebo, house, barn or any other permanent building. To work, you will need a bag made of plastic or natural fabric. Burlap is much better in terms of performance. It is environmentally friendly and, unlike plastic, is reusable. The fact is that artificial materials undergo rapid destruction under the influence of the sun.

On the other hand, burlap has a good throughput, providing air access to the plants. To prevent the bottom and sides of the bag from breaking through over time under the influence of gravity, it is recommended to stitch them several times. A loop is made at the top of the product for hanging. On one side of the bag there are holes for planting plants. After this, the bed can be filled with soil and planted.

Multi-tiered structures can be made from wooden or plastic boxes different sizes. They are stacked one on top of the other with a gradual decrease in dimensional parameters. This ladder of boxes can be painted in a bright color and laid around a tree or pole.

Helpful advice! To create a garden bed you can use old chest of drawers, pushing his boxes forward and filling them with soil. Other unnecessary furniture will also be suitable for these purposes.

Recommendations for creating vertical beds for strawberries

Before you start making a vegetable garden, it would be useful to take into account some tips for the optimal construction of structures:

• if the bed is large, assembly must be carried out directly at the site of its installation, otherwise problems with transportation may arise, 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 herbs, then its structure can be located not far from the kitchen;
• The soil for filling the beds should be prepared in advance. For berries, sandy loam soil mixed with peat, fertilizer and hydrogel is suitable. Quail compost is optimal as a feed;
• you need to think in advance about a system that will protect the beds from frost in winter time. Will the structure be covered or brought indoors;
• It is recommended to locate the garden closer to the water source to make it more convenient to regularly water the plants.

Note! The construction of vertical beds for cucumbers is also welcomed by many summer residents. Most of the 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 to which the plants will cling.

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

A vertical bed for cucumbers can be represented by various design options. Most often, bags or products made of plastic are used to grow these crops. The surface for fixing the beds can be the walls of buildings, nets or shields, as well as all kinds of partitions. Vertical bed for cucumbers you can arrange them inside with your own hands plastic pipe. This product is closed on one side and hung vertically on the crossbars.

A net made of plastic is considered the simplest option for organizing a decorative garden for cucumbers. The product is positioned vertically and the plants rise up the grid as they grow. This type of garden bed can be purchased ready-made or you can make it yourself. To do this, you will need a thick fishing line and straight tree branches that will serve as supports. They are placed in a circle with equal spacing and at the top they are connected at one point so that a peculiar resemblance to a hut is obtained.

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

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 not only a vegetable garden, but a beautiful decorative composition that will optimally fit into the space of your summer cottage.

To get a high-quality harvest, it is necessary to put a lot of effort into arranging the site and growing various crops. An alternative to painstaking garden care are raised beds - not very large elevations designed for cultivating vegetables and herbs.

In order to build raised beds with your own hands, you do not need specific equipment or any special skills. The entire perimeter of the structures is surrounded by hand-made walls, because of this general level the soil becomes higher than in an ordinary garden plot. This device has its own characteristics, namely: the hill is made in several layers, which contributes to high-quality soil fertilization, protection of the root system, and good growth of crops.

The entire structure of the high bed consists of 6 layers:

1. Bottom protective layer made of metal mesh.
2. Wood chocks.
3. A mound of branches and bark.
4. Part of the active layer made from paper scraps.
5. A nutrient layer of fallen leaves and grass cuttings.
6. The directly fertile part of the soil.

Using metal mesh protect the root system, thereby preventing the penetration of pests. The upper part of the structure is filled with fertile soil, where various crops are planted, which subsequently take root in another layer of foliage and grass, where vegetables and herbs are fed. Bark, logs, and paper scraps are used as semi-protective components necessary for filtering moisture and metabolism.

All of the above layers of high beds are enclosed with a special frame made of brick, wood or plastic.

Gallery: raised beds (25 photos)

Advantages and disadvantages

When compared with ordinary garden structures intended for growing vegetables and herbs, bulk beds have a number of significant advantages: