Perhaps the greatest feature of modular beds is the ease with which gardeners can both expand and stack them .
While certainly an attractive proposition on the surface , the significant labor and time needed to create a raised bed garden are often overlooked and catch many off guard . Although not rocket science by any consideration , some carpentry skills and manual labor are needed to piece together the frame of your raised garden — not to mention the measuring and cutting of wood planks that come beforehand . Mismeasurement and split boards are common setbacks for those aiming to construct their own raised garden beds . Furthermore , traditional raised beds are not easily modified , requiring dismantling to expand and stack . In addition , there is the peril of toxic chemicals leaching into the soil from treated woods . In many cases , these issues are just enough to deter hopeful gardeners altogether . Fortunately , entrepreneurial spirits have succeeded at making raised bed gardening easier and more accessible than ever before . Modular raised garden kits now feature boards cut from high-quality , non-toxic materials that slot together without the need for a hammer and nails , reducing assembly time to just minutes . Perhaps the greatest feature of modular beds is the ease with which gardeners can both expand and stack them . Those wishing to accommodate more plants within a bed can simply pull apart the existing boards and plug in new ones ( if this sounds like Lincoln Logs for gardening , then you have the right idea ). This plug-and-play approach not only gives gardeners the opportunity to expand their beds , but also to experiment with custom layouts . An L-shaped garden bed can fit snugly into a small yard space . In a long and narrow space , a U-shaped bed can provide garden space on both sides and a walkway down the middle . How about an E-shape ? The flexibility of raised modular garden beds gives gardeners the freedom to be creative with their garden layout . In addition to horizontal expansion , gardeners may need to expand vertically by stacking their raised garden beds . Beyond the aesthetic appeal , gardeners that grow tomatoes , watermelons , and other plants with deeper root systems will benefit from the depth created by stacked beds . A tiered approach is also useful when planting tall and short plants close together . Planting short plants in the higher tier prevents taller plants in the low tier from overshadowing the smaller plants .
Gardening is generally considered a gentle hobby , but older gardeners will no doubt testify that all the bending over takes its toll . Stacked beds are a perfect solution for those with back and mobility issues , as they decrease the distance needed to reach the soil level . Gardeners in wheelchairs also enjoy the easier access provided by stacked raised garden beds . An important factor to consider when stacking beds is the increase in outward pressure that a greater volume of soil imparts upon the bed frame . This may be countered with the simple addition of a crossbeam . More complete kits also seek to end gardeners ’ irrigation woes with grids that evenly water your plants and provide measured spacing — perfect for square foot gardening . Popularized by Mel Bartholomew in the early ’ 80s , the square foot gardening method aims to simplify the gardening process by dividing a garden space into equal , square sections . As modular raised garden beds provide a natural and sturdy perimeter , many gardeners have implemented this gardening method with great success , especially where space is limited .
If starting a raised garden is on your to-do list , but you aren ’ t confident in your carpentry skills or thrilled with the idea of bending over planks of wood , consider a modular raised garden kit . The benefits of a raised garden bed combined with the versatility of modular design make gardening easier than ever . Plus , with all the measuring and cutting taken care of already , you can get down to the gardening in no time at all .
“
Perhaps the greatest feature of modular beds is the ease with which gardeners can both expand and stack them .
”
feature 45