Typical Tips

Just starting a garden? Here are eight quick answers to questions that often arise.

Tip

A vegetable garden needs a minimum of 6 hours, preferably 8 per day.
Have less sun? Consider focusing on lettuces and leafy greens instead of fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes.

Tip

There is no need to put landscape fabric or other weed barrier under the bed if placing on grass. The soil will kill the grass. But if you want a barrier, try a thick layer of newspaper.

Tip

A typical mix of soil for raised beds if 50% top soil and 50% compost.
Vermiculite is a great addition to keep the soil fluffy.

Tip

Mulch around the bed instead of letting the grass grow right up against it, which would be hard to trim. A weed barrier would be helpful here.

Tip

If setting up more than one bed leave four feet between them if possible.
That leaves a generous space for a wheelbarrow.

Tip

Do you tend to be very orderly and structured? Try square-foot gardening:
https://squarefootgardening.org/

Tip

Do you tend to be free-form and spontaneous? Go for it!

Tip

Enjoy your garden!

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