Space and Time Saving Garden Technique

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Create a raised bed, compost and rotate your garden crops in one space using this convenient garden technique.

My friend Ray taught me this easy method. Measure out your garden beds. Create 4 feet wide beds and 2 or 3 feet wide paths. Rake the soil from the pathways into the bed area. This creates a raised garden. The simple act of raising the soil helps create better drainage.

Use the pathways to compost garden debris such as annual weeds that have not gone to seed, outer leaves of cabbage, greens from root crops and the like. This is a form of sheet composting. As you walk down the aisles to tend the raised beds, you’ll help break down the green debris and speed up decomposition.

Next year the pathway becomes your planting beds and planting beds your new pathways. So you’ll automatically be changing your planting location.

A bit more information: Create permanent raised beds using naturally long lasting wood, plastic lumber, stones and blocks. Fill with quality topsoil and amend with compost as needed. This is a quick way to overcome poor soil and make your garden more accessible.

For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com.