Do-it-yourself beds: beautiful and practical options
Owners of cottages and country houses strive to make their life independent of gardening concerns, but at the same time they want to get a big harvest. Land cultivation in the traditional way requires a lot of time, and the result does not always meet expectations. On a small site with a shortage of space, you can place original beds, which give a lot of advantages for growing various crops. This approach will increase yield on infertile soil, create an interesting design.
Many factors affect crop yields - soil quality, planting time, timely tillage, and more. In addition to the main points, the growth of crops depends on the chosen place on the site, the compatibility of vegetables.
Choosing a place for beds is necessary at the same time as planning the development of the site. The garden should be located in the most illuminated area, equipped with irrigation. You should also take into account the characteristics of the soil, climatic conditions in the region, relief. In small areas, it is appropriate to place tall beds with perennial plants. If you make them mobile, crops can be cleaned for the winter in the heat, excluding freezing.
Cultures should be arranged according to their soil requirements. Cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, and garlic should grow in a separate area with a constant supply of land. Carrots, onions, beets, peppers are less demanding on the soil. Such vegetables are enough simple daily watering. Legumes with legumes do not need extra care. They can be placed in a shady place.
Varieties of beds
Keeping a personal plot in order is very simple. It is necessary to begin to improve it with the division into separate zones - beds. This will facilitate the care of plants, make it possible to conduct crop rotation. The place of planting crops can be stationary or temporary. In adverse conditions, in an arid climate, in small areas, you can use the following varieties of beds:
High. The soil in the beds raised above the ground warms up better by heating the walls of the structure. Harvest does not depend on the quality of land on the site, and weed control is minimized. Vegetables can be planted earlier for several weeks. Maturation is accelerated by a special drainage system. The soil of high beds does not freeze, it is protected from erosion during rain.
Vertical. Apply in small areas. The height of cascading structures is not limited. Compact beds complement the landscape design of a private house, hide the disadvantages of unsightly buildings. It is possible to look after cultures in a vertical design without experiencing physical discomfort. The beds are located at a convenient height. Plants are less sick, are not attacked by pests.
French Beautiful beds of the correct form with curb fences made of timber, boards, bricks. Structures may be elevated or located at ground level. The center of the composition is usually denoted by a small street sculpture, a fountain. Outgoing paths divide the territory into symmetrical flower beds, rectangular sections.
English Gardeners dilute any planting of crops with bright colors. The fence is lavender bushes, various greens. This option is not suitable for all cultures. It is better to plant perennial flowers on a makeshift garden bed.
Lazy. The most convenient compact structures with a width of not more than 2 meters. A box is installed around the perimeter. Construction heights and materials can be varied, depending on the type of crop. For the winter, you can make multi-layer beds in the greenhouse. You will need to install a pallet, rods and pull the film. Fences prevent erosion of the soil, the growth of weeds.
Smart. At low cost they allow you to get a big crop. The method of growing crops is the absence of annual digging of the soil. Home-made beds are fenced with side walls in the courtyard, organic mulch and compost are laid out on the surface of the earth. Organics keep heat for a long time, provide plants with essential nutrients.
Warm. Multilayer beds filled with dissimilar organic matter. The fuel, drainage layer is located at the very bottom. It is lined with branches, any tree. Subsequent layers are made of wet paper and grass.To maintain the work of microorganisms, soil nutrition flower beds must be constantly watered.
The advantages of high beds
The main advantage is high yield. For each specific crop, you can choose a special mixture of soil. The beds warm up quickly due to the elevated location and the presence of fencing. Protection can be made from any improvised materials: brick, plastic bottles, wicker rattan, boards. Decorative fencing with natural plants is also allowed.
You can install the beds in any part of the garden or kitchen garden, even on a rocky one. At any time, you can create a greenhouse effect. Fenced soil contains fewer pests, pathogens. Soil can be replaced at any time. High beds are very convenient for planting curly perennials, for example, strawberries.
Optimum size and shape of beds
Well-groomed beautiful beds not only increase productivity, but also make the site aesthetic. Tall structures should be conveniently shaped for tillage. Their width should not exceed 2 meters, otherwise there will be problems with weeding in the center of the garden. It will be most effective at a height of 15-50 centimeters. If the main soil is fertile, a height of 20 cm is sufficient. On an unacceptable soil for farming, the bed is raised by 30 cm. Compost options can reach a height of 50 cm. This layout avoids slopes in narrow openings when processing the land.
On a high garden bed there should be enough space for plants, the planting of which is carried out in two rows. This arrangement provides sufficient air and light for all crops. The length of the flower bed can be any, only the area of the site itself creates the restrictions, and drip irrigation is possible.
Fencing materials and their features
This method is very popular and guarantees a plentiful harvest.The use of enclosing structures will solve many problems associated with the slow development of crops. On a raised bed, you can create individual conditions for each plant.
The box is usually made of durable durable materials according to the preliminary design. The bottom is lined with a metal mesh or plastic battens, following the instructions. This minimizes the attacks of rodents. The raised bed is easy to build with your own hands. To create high structures with fertile soil, you can use wood, stone, metal, plastic.
Tree
The wood is poorly in contact with moisture, so it will not last long as a garden fence. In order not to have to build a new design for next year, you must immediately choose the right material. The best option is oak planks. Before starting work, they must be treated with an antiseptic solution. After drying, cut and preparation of the frame.
Set a high bed only in dry soil. Prepared boards are fastened at the chosen place with the help of screws or nails, adjusting the desired height of the product. The center and corners can be strengthened with bars - this will significantly increase the strength of the structure. After deepening all sides into the ground, the structure is leveled. It must be perfectly even, otherwise moisture will accumulate in one place, which will lead to damage to wood and crops.
Terrace board
New technological material has a long service life. Boards made from a mixture of wood flour and plastic are used for the construction of any moisture-resistant structures in suburban construction. The beds from the terrace board can be influenced by any environmental factors. The material calmly tolerates high humidity, heat, frost. Its geometric shape does not change, and microorganisms do not show interest in it.Terrace board is sold in a large assortment, of various lengths, colors, with and without mounting fixtures.
It is possible to collect beds from a polymer composite of any size. It is easily sawn with a hacksaw. For connection, installation lags are used. All parts are connected by galvanized self-tapping screws and placed in the ground. Alignment is best done diagonally. To increase rigidity, the inner side of the structure must be equipped with additional columns in increments of 1 meter.
It is better to fasten the structure with galvanized self-tapping screws, rather than black. To facilitate the installation process, you can pre-drill holes for fasteners.
Stone and brick
Properly selected material in color, size will fit into any landscape. From natural stone or brick, you can make ordinary rectangular beds, oval, spiral-shaped buildings. Natural raw materials do not crumble or crumble. Among the shortcomings can be noted the large weight of the structure. A few years after installation, it begins to load in the ground. The stone fence is dismantled, they add soil and erected again.
Decorative beds can be trimmed with any natural breed. Suitable sandstone, basalt, pebbles, granite, limestone. Cobblestones are laid out in several levels on a prepared foundation, fastened with cement mortar outside the structure. The outer side should maintain the effect of "dry masonry." The bottom of the garden bed must be covered with polyethylene, roofing material and covered with earth. High beds of brick are full walls on cement mortar. The capital structure cannot be transferred to another place.
Plastic
This design can be bought ready-made or assembled by yourself. Lightweight plastic sides are practical and durable, have a low cost. Polycarbonate guards hold 100% moisture in the soil when watering. In many ways, material is superior to stone, wood and metal.
Plastic for beds does not release toxic substances into the soil when heated. It does not attract insects and small rodents. He is not afraid of corrosion, decay. You can make a different type of beds from the following materials:
Garden Designer. A set of plastic parts with special mounts allows you to create a fence of any shape, color and size;
Border tape. In the tensioned state, the polymer fence takes the form of a side. It happens in various widths (0.1 m - 0.5 m). From it you can make ordinary and multi-tiered flower beds. The disadvantage is that it does not withstand the large weight of the soil;
Plastic mesh. Use for fencing flower beds, low beds. Often it is used as an additional barrier;
PVC panels. The design is assembled using corner mounts. To create high beds, you need to install panels on top of each other.
Metal
The metal bed is quick and easy to assemble. It can be removed for the winter in the barn, in the spring put in a new place. The leaf border has a low weight, the ability to connect in length and height. From metal, you can make high beds, small fences of any shape. If desired, they can be painted in any color.
You can fence the garden with your own hands with a profiled sheet, roofing iron. Also, without problems it will turn out to galvanize the structure from any material. You can create a practical and beautiful product by performing the steps of the following master class step by step:
Determine the size of the structure (flat, tiered);
We prepare angular racks from a bar;
We make a frame structure from boards;
Cut the metal pieces of the right size, fasten to the frame;
We cover the burrs with a wooden platband.
Sheet metal should only be cut with scissors. You can not use a grinder to speed up the process. Due to overheating, the polymer layer loses its protective properties. The slice will quickly rust.
Concrete
It is necessary to choose a place for capital construction carefully.High concrete beds cannot be transferred to another area without disturbing the structure. Concrete fences have similar characteristics with brick and stone products.
First of all, we are preparing a wooden formwork. The width of the casting mold should be at least 15 cm. It should have a snug fit at all points of the soil. We fill the aligned form with a solution, place the reinforcement. After complete drying, the formwork is removed and the bed is covered with earth.
Vine and rods
For such a bed you will need the simplest and cheapest materials. It carries more decorative message than practical. The original version, unfortunately, is not durable. You can make a fence of bending rods linear or round.
Preparation of the material involves soaking the rods in water for a day. Then we distribute the wooden pegs around the perimeter of the beds, giving the desired shape. We put small branches in the center of the structure - they will be drainage, and weave large and even ones between the stakes. The sides of the beds on the inside should be covered with agrofibre, excluding the spilling of soil through the cracks.
Slate
Beds made of slate are light and mobile. The material does not deteriorate in a humid environment and from temperature changes. If necessary, damaged items can be easily replaced. Cheap wave-like sheets can be purchased at any hardware store. Beds made of slate can have a different shape that harmoniously fits into the overall design of the site. Among the disadvantages, one can note the negative effect of asbestos cement on the soil, moisture absorption during overheating.
You can make fences for beds from flat sheet slate or wavy plates. Large sheets are bolted using metal corners. Then the structure is placed in the prepared trench, the earth is poured, rammed.
Finely chopped wavy plates can be installed along or across. They are lapped in a prepared, moistened trench and sprinkled with soil.On both sides reinforce with pegs.
Paths between beds
Each gardener tries to use all means and opportunities to give the site an aesthetic appearance and increase the yield. Moving on the ground between the beds is not very convenient, especially with working equipment and after rain. Therefore, the arrangement of paths plays an important role in the design of a village garden. In addition to physical convenience, there is no need for weeding. With your own hands you can make the following tracks:
Wooden flooring from boards;
Permanent sidewalks of crushed stone, broken brick;
Ribbons from old carpets.
We equip a high bed of timber with our own hands
Most summer residents prefer to make high beds of timber. Natural material should be wide and dense, especially if the frame is multi-level. For vegetable crops make large structures, longitudinally positioning the wood. Beautiful flowers are planted in flower beds from a bar set vertically in the form of stumps. Any bed of wood should be upholstered from the inside by insulating contact with the soil material (iron, film, agrofibre).
Site selection, layout and preparation
Before starting the construction of the beds from the timber, it is important to choose the right place. It should be in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, preferably in the morning. If the structure will stand on a slope, it is better to place it across the slope. Raised beds, from 50 cm, require some effort during the construction, which is offset by the ease of care, constantly favorable optimal temperature for crops.
The location of the future beds must be planned and marked with pegs. Borders can be identified by pulling a thread or fishing line between them. This way of marking is suitable for outlines of any shape. The surface should be perfectly flat. If necessary, remove the soil. Site preparation before installation is to remove weeds.It is also necessary to dig up the soil, to fertilize.
Frame processing and assembly
Cut and prepared bars for the frame must be covered with antiseptic impregnation, drying oil on all sides. The lower part in contact with moist ground should be re-soaked with used oil. All construction details must be left in the sun and in the draft until completely dry.
The dried bars are knocked down in pairs to the desired size, connected with the help of bars. The height of short and long products should be equal to the height of the beds. Structures of dubious reliability should be strengthened in several places with transverse bars. Corner bars-pegs should protrude at least 10 cm. You can decorate the frame from the outside with beautiful varnished boards.
Bed filling
In an empty wooden box it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the rapid growth of plants. The bottom layer is covered with a construction mesh. This will protect the roots of plants from rodents. Warm multilayer beds are filled according to a certain technology. Heterogeneous organic matter alternates in layers as follows:
Newsprint;
Thick cardboard
Slivers of shrubs, small logs;
Shredded branches;
Leaves;
Compost;
Fertile land.
In wet areas, the drainage layer will be useful. It is placed at the very bottom of the frame in front of newsprint and other future humus. For drainage, gravel, wood bark, clay shards, expanded clay are used.
How to care for high beds
Raised beds do not require frequent maintenance. In a favorable environment, the plants practically do not get sick, and the growth of weeds is minimized. It is enough once a year, in the spring, to renew the topsoil and compost in order to collect a plentiful harvest in the fall. To preserve moisture, the top of the bed must be mulched.
After harvesting the soil must be loosened. You can use a pitchfork or a shovel. At the end of the season, the ground can be covered with film or straw, vegetable waste.This will protect it from freezing and weathering. In early spring, a high bed can be used as a greenhouse. Onions, radishes, cucumbers will take root well at this time.
Conclusion
Achieving an early good harvest in a temperate climate is not easy. The best solution is to grow crops in high warm beds. Any material is suitable for their creation. Multilayer nutrients can accelerate the growth of most crops over 5 years.
Owners of cottages and country houses strive to make their life independent of gardening concerns, but at the same time they want to get a big harvest. Land cultivation in the traditional way requires a lot of time, and the result does not always meet expectations. On a small site with a shortage of space, you can place original beds, which give a lot of advantages for growing various crops. This approach will increase yield on infertile soil, create an interesting design.
Content
Where to place the beds - choosing a place
Many factors affect crop yields - soil quality, planting time, timely tillage, and more. In addition to the main points, the growth of crops depends on the chosen place on the site, the compatibility of vegetables.
Choosing a place for beds is necessary at the same time as planning the development of the site. The garden should be located in the most illuminated area, equipped with irrigation. You should also take into account the characteristics of the soil, climatic conditions in the region, relief. In small areas, it is appropriate to place tall beds with perennial plants. If you make them mobile, crops can be cleaned for the winter in the heat, excluding freezing.
Cultures should be arranged according to their soil requirements. Cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, and garlic should grow in a separate area with a constant supply of land. Carrots, onions, beets, peppers are less demanding on the soil. Such vegetables are enough simple daily watering. Legumes with legumes do not need extra care. They can be placed in a shady place.
Varieties of beds
Keeping a personal plot in order is very simple. It is necessary to begin to improve it with the division into separate zones - beds. This will facilitate the care of plants, make it possible to conduct crop rotation. The place of planting crops can be stationary or temporary. In adverse conditions, in an arid climate, in small areas, you can use the following varieties of beds:
The advantages of high beds
The main advantage is high yield. For each specific crop, you can choose a special mixture of soil. The beds warm up quickly due to the elevated location and the presence of fencing. Protection can be made from any improvised materials: brick, plastic bottles, wicker rattan, boards. Decorative fencing with natural plants is also allowed.
You can install the beds in any part of the garden or kitchen garden, even on a rocky one. At any time, you can create a greenhouse effect. Fenced soil contains fewer pests, pathogens. Soil can be replaced at any time. High beds are very convenient for planting curly perennials, for example, strawberries.
Optimum size and shape of beds
Well-groomed beautiful beds not only increase productivity, but also make the site aesthetic. Tall structures should be conveniently shaped for tillage. Their width should not exceed 2 meters, otherwise there will be problems with weeding in the center of the garden. It will be most effective at a height of 15-50 centimeters. If the main soil is fertile, a height of 20 cm is sufficient. On an unacceptable soil for farming, the bed is raised by 30 cm. Compost options can reach a height of 50 cm. This layout avoids slopes in narrow openings when processing the land.
On a high garden bed there should be enough space for plants, the planting of which is carried out in two rows. This arrangement provides sufficient air and light for all crops. The length of the flower bed can be any, only the area of the site itself creates the restrictions, and drip irrigation is possible.
Fencing materials and their features
This method is very popular and guarantees a plentiful harvest.The use of enclosing structures will solve many problems associated with the slow development of crops. On a raised bed, you can create individual conditions for each plant.
The box is usually made of durable durable materials according to the preliminary design. The bottom is lined with a metal mesh or plastic battens, following the instructions. This minimizes the attacks of rodents. The raised bed is easy to build with your own hands. To create high structures with fertile soil, you can use wood, stone, metal, plastic.
Tree
The wood is poorly in contact with moisture, so it will not last long as a garden fence. In order not to have to build a new design for next year, you must immediately choose the right material. The best option is oak planks. Before starting work, they must be treated with an antiseptic solution. After drying, cut and preparation of the frame.
Set a high bed only in dry soil. Prepared boards are fastened at the chosen place with the help of screws or nails, adjusting the desired height of the product. The center and corners can be strengthened with bars - this will significantly increase the strength of the structure. After deepening all sides into the ground, the structure is leveled. It must be perfectly even, otherwise moisture will accumulate in one place, which will lead to damage to wood and crops.
Terrace board
New technological material has a long service life. Boards made from a mixture of wood flour and plastic are used for the construction of any moisture-resistant structures in suburban construction. The beds from the terrace board can be influenced by any environmental factors. The material calmly tolerates high humidity, heat, frost. Its geometric shape does not change, and microorganisms do not show interest in it.Terrace board is sold in a large assortment, of various lengths, colors, with and without mounting fixtures.
It is possible to collect beds from a polymer composite of any size. It is easily sawn with a hacksaw. For connection, installation lags are used. All parts are connected by galvanized self-tapping screws and placed in the ground. Alignment is best done diagonally. To increase rigidity, the inner side of the structure must be equipped with additional columns in increments of 1 meter.
Stone and brick
Properly selected material in color, size will fit into any landscape. From natural stone or brick, you can make ordinary rectangular beds, oval, spiral-shaped buildings. Natural raw materials do not crumble or crumble. Among the shortcomings can be noted the large weight of the structure. A few years after installation, it begins to load in the ground. The stone fence is dismantled, they add soil and erected again.
Decorative beds can be trimmed with any natural breed. Suitable sandstone, basalt, pebbles, granite, limestone. Cobblestones are laid out in several levels on a prepared foundation, fastened with cement mortar outside the structure. The outer side should maintain the effect of "dry masonry." The bottom of the garden bed must be covered with polyethylene, roofing material and covered with earth. High beds of brick are full walls on cement mortar. The capital structure cannot be transferred to another place.
Plastic
This design can be bought ready-made or assembled by yourself. Lightweight plastic sides are practical and durable, have a low cost. Polycarbonate guards hold 100% moisture in the soil when watering. In many ways, material is superior to stone, wood and metal.
Plastic for beds does not release toxic substances into the soil when heated. It does not attract insects and small rodents. He is not afraid of corrosion, decay. You can make a different type of beds from the following materials:
Metal
The metal bed is quick and easy to assemble. It can be removed for the winter in the barn, in the spring put in a new place. The leaf border has a low weight, the ability to connect in length and height. From metal, you can make high beds, small fences of any shape. If desired, they can be painted in any color.
You can fence the garden with your own hands with a profiled sheet, roofing iron. Also, without problems it will turn out to galvanize the structure from any material. You can create a practical and beautiful product by performing the steps of the following master class step by step:
Concrete
It is necessary to choose a place for capital construction carefully.High concrete beds cannot be transferred to another area without disturbing the structure. Concrete fences have similar characteristics with brick and stone products.
First of all, we are preparing a wooden formwork. The width of the casting mold should be at least 15 cm. It should have a snug fit at all points of the soil. We fill the aligned form with a solution, place the reinforcement. After complete drying, the formwork is removed and the bed is covered with earth.
Vine and rods
For such a bed you will need the simplest and cheapest materials. It carries more decorative message than practical. The original version, unfortunately, is not durable. You can make a fence of bending rods linear or round.
Preparation of the material involves soaking the rods in water for a day. Then we distribute the wooden pegs around the perimeter of the beds, giving the desired shape. We put small branches in the center of the structure - they will be drainage, and weave large and even ones between the stakes. The sides of the beds on the inside should be covered with agrofibre, excluding the spilling of soil through the cracks.
Slate
Beds made of slate are light and mobile. The material does not deteriorate in a humid environment and from temperature changes. If necessary, damaged items can be easily replaced. Cheap wave-like sheets can be purchased at any hardware store. Beds made of slate can have a different shape that harmoniously fits into the overall design of the site. Among the disadvantages, one can note the negative effect of asbestos cement on the soil, moisture absorption during overheating.
You can make fences for beds from flat sheet slate or wavy plates. Large sheets are bolted using metal corners. Then the structure is placed in the prepared trench, the earth is poured, rammed.
Finely chopped wavy plates can be installed along or across. They are lapped in a prepared, moistened trench and sprinkled with soil.On both sides reinforce with pegs.
Paths between beds
Each gardener tries to use all means and opportunities to give the site an aesthetic appearance and increase the yield. Moving on the ground between the beds is not very convenient, especially with working equipment and after rain. Therefore, the arrangement of paths plays an important role in the design of a village garden. In addition to physical convenience, there is no need for weeding. With your own hands you can make the following tracks:
We equip a high bed of timber with our own hands
Most summer residents prefer to make high beds of timber. Natural material should be wide and dense, especially if the frame is multi-level. For vegetable crops make large structures, longitudinally positioning the wood. Beautiful flowers are planted in flower beds from a bar set vertically in the form of stumps. Any bed of wood should be upholstered from the inside by insulating contact with the soil material (iron, film, agrofibre).
Site selection, layout and preparation
Before starting the construction of the beds from the timber, it is important to choose the right place. It should be in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, preferably in the morning. If the structure will stand on a slope, it is better to place it across the slope. Raised beds, from 50 cm, require some effort during the construction, which is offset by the ease of care, constantly favorable optimal temperature for crops.
The location of the future beds must be planned and marked with pegs. Borders can be identified by pulling a thread or fishing line between them. This way of marking is suitable for outlines of any shape. The surface should be perfectly flat. If necessary, remove the soil. Site preparation before installation is to remove weeds.It is also necessary to dig up the soil, to fertilize.
Frame processing and assembly
Cut and prepared bars for the frame must be covered with antiseptic impregnation, drying oil on all sides. The lower part in contact with moist ground should be re-soaked with used oil. All construction details must be left in the sun and in the draft until completely dry.
The dried bars are knocked down in pairs to the desired size, connected with the help of bars. The height of short and long products should be equal to the height of the beds. Structures of dubious reliability should be strengthened in several places with transverse bars. Corner bars-pegs should protrude at least 10 cm. You can decorate the frame from the outside with beautiful varnished boards.
Bed filling
In an empty wooden box it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the rapid growth of plants. The bottom layer is covered with a construction mesh. This will protect the roots of plants from rodents. Warm multilayer beds are filled according to a certain technology. Heterogeneous organic matter alternates in layers as follows:
In wet areas, the drainage layer will be useful. It is placed at the very bottom of the frame in front of newsprint and other future humus. For drainage, gravel, wood bark, clay shards, expanded clay are used.
How to care for high beds
Raised beds do not require frequent maintenance. In a favorable environment, the plants practically do not get sick, and the growth of weeds is minimized. It is enough once a year, in the spring, to renew the topsoil and compost in order to collect a plentiful harvest in the fall. To preserve moisture, the top of the bed must be mulched.
After harvesting the soil must be loosened. You can use a pitchfork or a shovel. At the end of the season, the ground can be covered with film or straw, vegetable waste.This will protect it from freezing and weathering. In early spring, a high bed can be used as a greenhouse. Onions, radishes, cucumbers will take root well at this time.
Conclusion
Achieving an early good harvest in a temperate climate is not easy. The best solution is to grow crops in high warm beds. Any material is suitable for their creation. Multilayer nutrients can accelerate the growth of most crops over 5 years.