Contents:
- How to fill the raised beds and what are their advantages?
- Efficient and regular watering during the season
- How to keep the flower beds wet for longer in dry weather?
How to fill the raised beds and what are their advantages?
Raised beds can be planted closer, as the beds are smaller and the soil is slightly richer. Plants that grow close together in raised beds will mature faster as they compete for nutrients and for each other's sunlight.
Advantages of having raised beds:
- Gardening is much easier and more comfortable thanks to the reduction of bending and kneeling on the ground. In this way, we protect our spine.
- The productivity of plants is improved thanks to better drainage and deeper rooting.
- Raised beds are ideal for small spaces where a traditional row garden may not be very handy. This makes it much easier to maintain control.
- Planting in elevated ground gives you complete control of soil quality and content, which is especially important in areas where the existing soil is rocky, nutrient-poor or overgrown with weeds.
- Raised beds allow for a longer growing season because the soil above the ground heats up faster.
How to fill in raised rebates?
The best proportions to create the best conditions for plants are:
- 40% compost (preferably pre-processed from own production): compost contains plant nutrients. If bought, it will also be perfect for this task. Mature manure may also be used, but fresh manure must not be placed directly on the bed,
- 40% of the top soil layer: Typical potting soil will not work here - it is too plump and will not do the job in the long run. It is worth choosing the soil with the right minerals for the intended purpose of planting. We can successfully control the pH to increase yields,
- 20% aeration: perlite, pumice or cereal hulls are essential. An interesting idea are also delicately shredded dry branches of fruit trees.
Efficient and regular watering during the season
Raised beds must be watered regularly to provide the plants with adequate hydration. Please note that the amount of substrate is thick and varied. This involves deep watering to ensure the vegetables grow root systems and strengthen them through periods of drought.
During the gardening work, we used the Fiskars Hose Reel, which has an extremely clever design! It is light, very handy, and most importantly - the snake has no chance of tangling and making watering difficult! This is a huge advantage, especially when we move between raised beds. Any positioning and 360 ° rotation allow for free watering of small areas, which facilitates the process. It is extremely easy to roll out and roll up. It is 13.5 m long and 9 mm (3/8 ”) in diameter with a quick release foot coupler.
Additionally, the set includes a connection hose 1.5 m long and 9 mm in diameter (3/8 ”) with a quick coupler.What was underneath was an interesting surprise! There were even more amenities! The integrated storage compartment for storing accessories includes: a spray nozzle, universal tap connection, a pin to attach the drum to the lawn, and a support that allows the nozzle to be used as a sprinkler. A good solution is a universal connection that fits the taps of the three most popular diameters.
Additional facilities are:
- 9mm (3/8 ”) foot connector
- 9 mm (3/8 ”) diameter hose
- Total range 15 m
- Wall mounting option (bracket sold separately)
- Universal size, compatible with products from other manufacturers
The spraying nozzle is extremely handy and allows you to set both a concentrated stream of water and a dispersed stream on more delicate plants. Ergonomic finish prevents it from slipping out of hands and allows for long and pleasant work.
Another facility that we had the opportunity to use was the FiberComp ™ Fiskars spray gun. A very handy handle and sprinkler head allowed for an extraordinary variety of watering. The SoftGrip ™ interchangeable swivel head allows you to choose the type of spray: fine drizzle, spray, flat, spray or spot. The FiberComp ™ handle is twice as durable and has a water flow adjustment with the thumb. Part of the Fiskars modular system - the head can be freely combined with the handle depending on individual needs. In addition, effective frost protection is provided. Watering even at lower temperatures is much more enjoyable than with metal guns.
Another gun was the FiberComp ™ 3-function spray gun.Its main advantage is its great versatility and ease of use. In a controlled way, you can quickly switch from a concentrated stream to a more gentle one that does not damage the finer plants. The SoftGrip ™ interchangeable swivel head allows you to choose the type of jet: strong spot, spray or fine drizzle. The FiberComp ™ handle is twice as durable and has a water flow adjustment with the thumb. Part of the Fiskars modular system is the ability to freely connect the head with the handle depending on individual needs. It is frost-resistant and extremely pleasant to the touch compared to metal from other companies.
How to keep the flower beds wet for longer in dry weather?
Remember to water carefully - when replenishing moisture in the soil, it is worth getting all the way to the root systems, where the plant will have adequate food and development.Surface watering will only move the soil, but it will not allow it to get into deeper parts.
After a decent few minutes of watering one raised bed, let's pay attention to whether the water is quickly getting into the next parts or slower, filling every possible batch. In this way, we will be able to assess the state of hydration. If you want the water to stay longer and to be able to feed the plants, a few patents are enough to facilitate this.
One of them is a straw cover - it will prevent moisture from escaping too early. We can do the same with cut grass or very finely ground fruit tree branches. This also fulfills another function - it makes it difficult for snails, especially slugs, to gain free access.
