Vegetable gardening: Raising the bed improves your odds
There is a good chance you are among the multitude considering planting a vegetable garden this year.
You may find yourself wondering where to start. Over the years I have humorously said that the key to the green thumb is how brown it gets first: Soil and soil prep are crucial, whether you are growing flowers or vegetables.
The winning formula for success, whether you have heavy, muggy clay that retains water or a sandier soil that drains in mere minutes, is to grow the garden on raised beds.
The roots of bedding plants have to penetrate soils quickly, anchor plants and absorb water and nutrients, often under adverse conditions.
What many don't realize is that in addition to water and nutrients, the plants need oxygen for proper growth. Soil texture plays the most important role in determining whether or not those three needs are met sufficiently to allow the plant to become established and perform to expectations. Desirable soil holds water while allowing for proper drainage. It also provides adequate oxygen for root growth. The raised bed is the best way to meet these needs.
Read More http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/home/sc-home-02...
You may find yourself wondering where to start. Over the years I have humorously said that the key to the green thumb is how brown it gets first: Soil and soil prep are crucial, whether you are growing flowers or vegetables.
The winning formula for success, whether you have heavy, muggy clay that retains water or a sandier soil that drains in mere minutes, is to grow the garden on raised beds.
The roots of bedding plants have to penetrate soils quickly, anchor plants and absorb water and nutrients, often under adverse conditions.
What many don't realize is that in addition to water and nutrients, the plants need oxygen for proper growth. Soil texture plays the most important role in determining whether or not those three needs are met sufficiently to allow the plant to become established and perform to expectations. Desirable soil holds water while allowing for proper drainage. It also provides adequate oxygen for root growth. The raised bed is the best way to meet these needs.
Read More http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/home/sc-home-02...
Comment
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Comment by Uriah on March 3, 2011 at 10:20am
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This year Im useing more 5 gallon buckets and useing drip hose hooked up to a long pvc pipe that is positioned at each bucket interval, ____(_)_(_)_(_)_(_) and so on
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