DIY garden beds: beautiful and practical options

The owners of cottages and country houses are eager to make their lives independent from garden concerns, but at the same time they want to get a big harvest. Working the land in the traditional way takes a lot of time, and the result does not always correspond to the expectation. In a small area with a shortage of space you can place the original beds, giving a lot of advantages for growing different crops. This approach will increase the yield on barren soil, create an interesting design.

Where to place the beds - the choice of location

Yield is influenced by many factors - the quality of the soil, the time of planting, the timely cultivation of land and so on. In addition to the main points, the growth of crops depends on the chosen place on the site, the compatibility of vegetables.

It is necessary to choose a place for beds simultaneously with the planning of the development of the site. The garden should be located in the lighted area, provided with irrigation. You should also take into account the peculiarities of the soil, the climatic conditions in the region, the relief. On small plots it is appropriate to place high beds with perennial plants. If you make them mobile, the culture can be cleaned up for the winter in the heat, excluding freezing.

Cultures should be located according to their soil requirements. Cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, and garlic should be grown in a separate area with constant ground nutrition. Carrots, onions, beets, peppers are less demanding on the soil. So vegetables enough simple daily watering. Garden beds do not need extra care. They can be placed in a shady place.

Kinds of beds

Keeping the backyard is very simple. It is necessary to begin to improve it with division into separate zones - beds. This will facilitate the care of plants, make it possible to maintain crop rotation. Place of planting crops may be stationary or temporary. In adverse conditions, in arid climate, on small areas, the following types of beds can be used:

• High. The soil in the raised beds above the ground is better heated by heating the walls of the structure. The harvest does not depend on the quality of the land on the plot, and weed control is minimized. Vegetables can be planted earlier for several weeks. Maturation is accelerated due to the special drainage system. The soil of high beds does not freeze, protected from erosion during rain.

• Vertical. Apply to small areas. The height of the cascade structures is not limited. Compact beds will complement the landscape design of a private house, hide the flaws of unsightly buildings. It is possible to care for cultures in a vertical structure without experiencing physical discomfort. The beds are located at a convenient height. Plants are less sick, not attacked by pests.
• French Beautiful beds of regular shape with curb fences of timber, boards, bricks. Structures may be raised or at ground level. The center of the composition is usually designated a small street sculpture, a fountain. Outgoing tracks divide the territory into symmetrical flower beds, rectangular areas.
• English Gardeners dilute any planting of crops with bright flowers. Fences are lavender bushes, various greens. This option is not suitable for all cultures. Planting on a homemade bed is better only perennial flowers.

• Lazy. The most convenient compact structures, a width of not more than 2 meters. A box is installed along the perimeter. The height of the structure and materials can be varied, depending on the type of crops. For the winter, you can make multi-layered beds in the greenhouse. You will need to install a pallet, rods and stretch the film. Fences prevent erosion of the soil, the growth of weeds.
• Smart. At low cost, you can get a big harvest. The method of growing crops is the absence of annual soil digging. Home-made beds enclose bumpers in the yard, organic mulch and compost are spread on the ground. Organics keep heat for a long time, provide plants with essential nutrients.
• Warm. Multi-layered beds filled with heterogeneous organic matter. Fuel, drainage layer is located at the bottom. It is lined with branches, any tree. Subsequent layers are made of wet paper and grass. To maintain the work of microorganisms, feeding the soil of the flower bed must be constantly watered.

Advantages of high beds

The main advantage is high yield. Under each particular culture, you can pick up a special mixture of soil. The beds are heated quickly due to the elevated location and the presence of fencing. Protection can be made of any available materials: brick, plastic bottles, woven rattan, boards. Decorative fencing with natural plants is also allowed.

It is possible to establish beds on any part of the garden or vegetable garden, even on stony. At any time you can create a greenhouse effect. Fenced soil contains less pests, pathogens. Substitution can be done at any time. High beds are very convenient for planting climbing perennials, for example, strawberries.

The optimal size and shape of the beds

Well-groomed beautiful beds not only increase yields, but also make the area aesthetic. High constructions should be convenient forms for tillage. Their width should not exceed 2 meters, otherwise there will be problems with weeding in the center of the bed. 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 unacceptable soil for agriculture, the bed is raised by 30 cm. Compost variants can reach 50 cm in height. Such a layout allows you to avoid tilting in narrow openings when tilling the land.

On a high country bed there should be enough space for plants that are planted in two rows. This arrangement provides sufficient air and light for all crops. The length of the flower bed can be any, the restrictions are created only by the area of ​​the site itself, the possibility of drip irrigation.

Materials for fencing and their features

This method is very popular and guarantees a bountiful 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 project. The bottom is lined with metal mesh or plastic rails, following the instructions. This minimizes rodent attacks. It is easy to build a raised bed with your own hands. To create high designs with fertile land, you can use wood, stone, metal, plastic.

Tree

Wood has poor contact with moisture, so it will not last long as a fence for the garden. In order not to have to build a new structure for the next year, it is necessary to immediately select the right material. The best option - oak boards. Before starting work, they must be treated with an antiseptic solution. After drying, the cutting is carried out and the frame is prepared.

Install a high bed only in dry soil. At the selected place, the prepared boards are fastened with screws or nails, adjusting the desired height of the product. The center and the 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 level by level. It must be perfectly flat, otherwise moisture will accumulate in one place, which will lead to damage to the wood and crops.

Decking

New high-tech material has a long service life. Boards from a mixture of wood flour and plastic are used for the construction of any moisture-resistant structures in suburban construction. The beds of decking can be influenced by any environmental factors. The material easily tolerates high humidity, heat, frost. Its geometric shape does not change, and microorganisms do not show interest in it. The 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 polymeric composite of any size. It is easily sawn with a hacksaw. To connect using the installation lags. All parts are connected with galvanized screws and placed in the ground. Alignment is best carried out diagonally. To increase the rigidity, the inner side of the structure should be provided with additional columns in 1 meter increments.

To fasten the structure better galvanized screws, and not black. To facilitate the installation process, you can pre-drill the holes for fasteners.

Stone and brick

Correctly selected material in color, size fit into any landscape. Ordinary rectangular beds, oval, spiral-shaped buildings can be made from natural stone or brick. Natural raw materials do not crumble and do not crumble. Of the disadvantages can be noted a large weight of the structure. A few years after installation, it begins to load in the ground. Stone fence dismantled, pour soil and build anew.

Decoratively trim high beds can be any natural breed. Suitable sandstone, basalt, pebbles, granite, limestone. Cobblestones spread in several levels on the prepared foundation, fasten cement mortar outside the structure. The outer side should maintain the effect of "dry masonry". The bottom of the garden beds should be covered with polyethylene, roofing felt and covered with earth. High beds made of bricks are full-fledged walls on cement mortar. Capital structure to move to another place will not work.

Plastic

Such a design can be bought in finished form or assembled by yourself. Light plastic bumpers are practical and durable, have a low cost. Polycarbonate railing retains 100% moisture in the soil during watering. Material in many ways superior to stone, wood and metal.

Plastic for garden beds does not emit toxic substances into the soil when heated. It does not attract insects and small rodents. He is not afraid of corrosion, rotting. You can make different types 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;

• Curb tape. In the tensioned state, the polymeric fence takes the form of a side. It can be of various widths (0.1 m - 0.5 m). It can be used to make ordinary and multi-tiered flowerbeds. The disadvantage is that it does not withstand heavy soil weight;
• Plastic mesh. Used for fencing flower beds, low beds. Often it is used as an additional barrier;
• PVC panels. The design is assembled with the help of corner mounts. To create high beds you need to set the panels on top of each other.

Metal

Metal bed is quick and easy to assemble. It can be removed for wintering in the barn, in the spring to put in a new place. Sheet curb has a low weight, the ability to connect in length and height. High beds can be made of metal, small fences of any shape. If desired, they can be painted in any color.

You can fence the bed with your own hands with a profiled sheet, roofing iron. Also, without problems, it will turn out to zinc construction of any material. You can create a practical and beautiful product by performing the following master class step by step:

1. Determine the size of the structure (flat, tiered);
2. We prepare angular racks from a bar;
3. We make a frame construction of boards;
4. Cut out metal pieces of the desired size, fasten to the frame;
5. Covering the burrs with a wooden casing.

Sheet metal should be cut only with scissors. Use the grinder to speed up the process is impossible. Due to overheating, the polymer layer loses its protective properties. The cut will quickly rust.

Concrete

Choosing a place for capital construction must be carefully. High concrete beds cannot be transferred to another site 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 mold for casting should be at least 15 cm. It should have a tight fit at all points of the ground. Equalized form is filled with a solution, we place the armature. After complete drying, the formwork is removed and the bed is covered with earth.

Vine and rods

For such beds will need the most simple and cheap materials. She carries more decorative promise than practical. The original version, unfortunately, is not durable. It is possible to make a fence from bending rods linear or round.

Material preparation implies soaking rods in water for a day. Then distribute the wooden pegs around the perimeter of the beds, giving the desired shape. Small branches are placed in the center of the structure - they will be drainage, and large and even weave between the stakes. The sides of the beds on the inside should be covered with agrofibre, excluding soil eruption through the cracks.

Slate

Slate beds are light and mobile. The material does not deteriorate in a humid environment and from a temperature drop. If necessary, damaged items can be easily replaced. Cheap wavy sheets can be purchased at any hardware store. The beds of slate can have a different shape, harmoniously fit into the overall design of the site. Among the shortcomings can be noted the negative impact on the soil of asbestos cement, moisture absorption during overheating.

You can make fences for beds from flat sheet slate or corrugated plates. Large sheets bolted with metal corners. Then the design is placed in a prepared trench, pour in the ground, tamped.

Finely chopped wavy plates can be installed along or across. They are placed overlapped in a prepared, moistened trench and sprinkled with soil. On both sides strengthened with pegs.

Paths between the beds

Each gardener tries to use all the tools and opportunities to give the site an aesthetic look and increase the yield. Moving on the ground between the beds is not very convenient, especially with working equipment and after the rain. Therefore, the arrangement of the tracks plays an important role in the design of a rustic garden. In addition to physical convenience, there is no need for weeding. You can do the following tracks with your own hands:

• Wooden flooring from boards;
• Permanent sidewalks of rubble, broken bricks;
• Ribbons from old carpets.

We are setting up a high bed of timber with our own hands

Most gardeners prefer to make high beds of timber. Natural material should be wide and dense, especially if the frame is multi-level. For vegetable crops, large constructions are made by longitudinally positioning wood. Beautiful flowers are planted in beds from a bar, set vertically, in the form of hemp. Any bed of wood should be upholstered inside insulating contact with the soil material (iron, film, agrofiber).

Selection, marking and site preparation

Before the construction of the beds from the timber it is important to choose the right place. It should be in direct sunlight at least 6 hours a day, preferably in the morning. If the structure will stand on a slope, then it is better to place it across the slope. Raised beds, from 50 cm, require some effort during the construction, which is offset by ease of care, constantly favorable optimal temperature for crops.

The location of the future beds should be planned and marked with pegs. Borders can be designated by pulling a string or a fishing line between them. This method of marking is suitable for the outlines of any shape. The surface should be perfectly flat. If necessary, remove the soil layer. Site preparation before installation work is to remove weeds. It is also necessary to dig up the soil, make fertilizer.

Frame processing and assembly

Cropped and prepared bars for the frame must be covered on all sides with antiseptic impregnation and drying oil. The bottom part in contact with wet earth should be re-soaked with used oil. All details of the design should be left in the sun and drafted until completely dry.

Dried bars are knocked down in pairs to the desired size, connected with bars. The height of short and long products should be equal to the height of the bed. 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.

Filling beds

In an empty wooden box it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the rapid growth of plants. The bottom layer is covered with construction mesh. This will protect the plant roots from rodents. Warm multi-layered beds are filled with a certain technology. Heterogeneous organic matter alternates in layers as follows:

1. Газетная бумага;
2. Плотный картон;
3. Щепки кустарников, маленькие бревна;
4. Измельченные ветки;
5. Листья;
6. Компост;
7. Плодородная земля.

На влажных участках нелишним будет дренажный слой. Его помещают на самое дно каркаса перед газетной бумагой и прочим будущим перегноем. For drainage use crushed stone, wood bark, clay shards, expanded clay.

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 to renew the topsoil and compost once a year, in the spring, to harvest a bountiful harvest in the fall. To preserve moisture, the top beds must be mulched.

After harvesting the land must be loosened. You can use a pitchfork or a shovel. At the end of the season, the land can be covered with foil or straw, vegetable waste. This will save it from freezing and weathering. In early spring, the high bed can be used as a greenhouse. Onions, radishes, cucumbers will take root well at this time.

Conclusion

To achieve an early good harvest in a temperate climate is not easy. The best solution is growing crops in high warm beds. Any material will be suitable for their creation. Nutrients of the multi-layer construction are able to accelerate the growth of most crops over the course of 5 years.