Choosing The Perfect Garden Location
Step 1 - Choosing the perfect size for gardening is determined by where your garden will be located.
Step 2 Will your garden have access to both sides or just one side? For example, will one side of your garden be placed against your home or a fence. If so, choose a two foot wide kit. The typical reach of the human arm is around two feet. If your garden is four feet wide, you will not be able to reach half of your garden. If your garden will have access on both sides, you can choose any garden width size, two, three or four feet.
Step 3 - How many kits to get started? Great question. If you are new to gardening, start small and grow your garden as your gardening experience grows. We suggest two kits, 4'x6' or 4'x8', to get started. We have found starting small results in better long term success. Two kits can easily provide enough organic food for a family of four to enjoy during the entire growing season. You can also add more kits in the future as your gardening skills and needs grow.
To have a success raised bed garden, here are a few things to remember when selecting your site
1. If possible choose a site that is close to your home, backdoor, or other easy access. You will be more inclined to attend and harvest from your garden if access is easy. Locating your garden next to you home on the South facing side is a good starting point for review
2. Your desired location should receive at least 8 hours of sun per day with close access to water to water as needed and close to your home for easier harvesting. If you are able to select a site that is South facing, you will be able to start your garden earlier and harvest later in the growing season. You will also be able to take advantage of the hoop house growing technique for your boxes as well.
3. Make sure you can access all parts of your raised bed. Our raised bed kits are designed at a maximum of four feet wide. A typical person can reach about two feet out, so having access from both sides of a four foot wide garden is critical. If you are using a two foot wide kit, it is OK to only have access from one side.
4. Total garden footprint is up to you and can be based on the items you wish to grow. A tomato plant requires more space than carrots. However it is suggested to start smaller than larger and add as needed. Two 4x6 raised beds to start is perfect for anyone new, allowing for a variety of vegetables and growing space
5. Once you have found the perfect site, evaluate your location, does it need to leveled out a little, how many garden boxes can you accommodate etc. Don’t worry about your soil as you will be using quality soil from your local garden supplier or mixing it yourself. At the very least you need at least two feet between your gardens. However we highly suggest 3 feet or a bit more. We have found that two feet can be too narrow when growing spreading plants like cucumbers, zucchini or large tomatoes plants. When in doubt, go a little wider.
6. Soil – the final step. This is where the dirt hits the road, or in our case the garden box. You have two choices, find a source of compost rich soil or mix it yourself. Check out a couple of your local gardening site and ask for suggestions and tell them what you are trying to do and planning to grow. We highly suggest you also start your own compost pile, either by use of a cedar compost kit or start a worm factory compost bin. Compost is a full nutrient supplement for your garden and should be added every year. What better way to recycle you left over kitchen scraps, garden trimmings and more and return them back to keep your ground fertile and growing.
Step 2 Will your garden have access to both sides or just one side? For example, will one side of your garden be placed against your home or a fence. If so, choose a two foot wide kit. The typical reach of the human arm is around two feet. If your garden is four feet wide, you will not be able to reach half of your garden. If your garden will have access on both sides, you can choose any garden width size, two, three or four feet.
Step 3 - How many kits to get started? Great question. If you are new to gardening, start small and grow your garden as your gardening experience grows. We suggest two kits, 4'x6' or 4'x8', to get started. We have found starting small results in better long term success. Two kits can easily provide enough organic food for a family of four to enjoy during the entire growing season. You can also add more kits in the future as your gardening skills and needs grow.
To have a success raised bed garden, here are a few things to remember when selecting your site
1. If possible choose a site that is close to your home, backdoor, or other easy access. You will be more inclined to attend and harvest from your garden if access is easy. Locating your garden next to you home on the South facing side is a good starting point for review
2. Your desired location should receive at least 8 hours of sun per day with close access to water to water as needed and close to your home for easier harvesting. If you are able to select a site that is South facing, you will be able to start your garden earlier and harvest later in the growing season. You will also be able to take advantage of the hoop house growing technique for your boxes as well.
3. Make sure you can access all parts of your raised bed. Our raised bed kits are designed at a maximum of four feet wide. A typical person can reach about two feet out, so having access from both sides of a four foot wide garden is critical. If you are using a two foot wide kit, it is OK to only have access from one side.
4. Total garden footprint is up to you and can be based on the items you wish to grow. A tomato plant requires more space than carrots. However it is suggested to start smaller than larger and add as needed. Two 4x6 raised beds to start is perfect for anyone new, allowing for a variety of vegetables and growing space
5. Once you have found the perfect site, evaluate your location, does it need to leveled out a little, how many garden boxes can you accommodate etc. Don’t worry about your soil as you will be using quality soil from your local garden supplier or mixing it yourself. At the very least you need at least two feet between your gardens. However we highly suggest 3 feet or a bit more. We have found that two feet can be too narrow when growing spreading plants like cucumbers, zucchini or large tomatoes plants. When in doubt, go a little wider.
6. Soil – the final step. This is where the dirt hits the road, or in our case the garden box. You have two choices, find a source of compost rich soil or mix it yourself. Check out a couple of your local gardening site and ask for suggestions and tell them what you are trying to do and planning to grow. We highly suggest you also start your own compost pile, either by use of a cedar compost kit or start a worm factory compost bin. Compost is a full nutrient supplement for your garden and should be added every year. What better way to recycle you left over kitchen scraps, garden trimmings and more and return them back to keep your ground fertile and growing.