| Here are some of the advantages of building your | | | | types of soils needed for different plants and herbs. |
| own raised bed and having a controlled area to grow | | | | If densely planted, the leaves will shade out weed |
| produce: | | | | growth. |
| 1. Easy to make – either use cement blocks or | | | | 5. Drainage – as the bed is raised, excess water |
| rot resistant wood (like cedar) to make your raised | | | | drains and the soil doesn't get over saturated. |
| bed box. Do not use pressure treated lumber, which | | | | 6. Access – for the urban gardener, a raised bed |
| contains chemicals. | | | | provides a level garden with easier access for |
| 2. Great produce yield – deeper soil provides | | | | maintenance. Plus it stops all foot traffic through your |
| better root growth and more production per square | | | | garden. |
| foot of gardening. | | | | 7. Education – this is a participatory way to teach |
| 3. Longer planting season – the soil is elevated | | | | children or grandchildren how vegetables are grown, |
| and dries more quickly and also warms up faster, so | | | | how to nurture plants and how to harvest and enjoy |
| you can plant earlier in spring and later into fall. | | | | the great taste of fresh produce. They might even |
| 4. Maintenance – you can manage the quality and | | | | like to eat vegetables they've grown themselves. |