Properly designing garden beds in a summer cottage is beneficial not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for the growing techniques of various crops. It's important for every gardener to organize their garden space so that it looks good from both perspectives.
Even a novice gardener can build their own garden beds (photo), but they don't always know how. In fact, it's not difficult at all; you just need to follow a few rules and be prepared for the painstaking work—after all, no effort means no gain.
Gardeners love to compete, and this applies not only to the quantity and quality of the harvested crops or the flowers grown, but also to the appearance of their garden beds. This is why gardeners strive to improve their plots by creating their own beds (photos and videos).
Materials from which you can make beds
DIY garden beds It can be made from virtually any material at hand. The most common option is boards, but bricks and slate can also be used.
For variety, you can use glass bottles of different shades. Alternating different colors creates not only a practical but also a beautiful effect. And on sunny days, the glass creates a beautiful, playful shadow.
Types of garden beds and how to make them
There are several types of garden beds: horizontal, vertical, and miniature. Let's look at the design features of these beds and how to build them.
Horizontal beds
In appearance, such beds are always narrow and tall. What makes them special is their height, which is at least 30-45 centimeters. Caring for plants planted in such beds is simple and easy. A wide variety of crops can be grown in these beds: potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, eggplants, onions, and much more.
Typically, such beds are made from planks, as the wood holds the bed's shape best. Building a bed yourself at your dacha (photo) isn't difficult. The main thing is to outline the bed's dimensions in advance and remember that it should be high, which means additional soil may be needed.
When arranging horizontal beds, it is important to consider the distance between the beds; it should be sufficient for free movement.
Horizontal beds can also be made from plastic bottles, scrap slate, and bricks. However, it's important to keep in mind that slate, for example, gets very hot in hot weather and draws moisture from the soil, which can kill plants.
This is the most popular one today a common type of garden bed, which is simple and multifunctional.
Vertical beds
Vertical garden beds are typically used for plants that require support from above. Watermelons, cantaloupes, and cucumbers are ideal for growing in these beds. Vertical garden beds have a very compact appearance and are ideal for those whose garden space is limited.
Miniature garden beds
These are perfect for those with a very small garden. Here, the process is entirely creative. For example, miniature multi-tiered garden beds can be made from an old dresser, with pull-out drawers serving as the beds.
Another option for making your own garden beds is to use old tires. Tires can be used to create a miniature garden bed. And if you use tires of different sizes, you can create multiple tiers. To make the bed more beautiful, you can paint or even decorate the tires.
General rules for garden bed design:
- To get an earlier harvest, plan your garden beds in advance. Raised beds lined with wire mesh at the bottom and covered with plastic are ideal. This will protect the beds from insects and other pests.
- Since homemade beds are usually raised, they have depressions where sawdust or wood shavings should be added to act as organic fertilizer. The organic matter should be sprinkled with a small amount of soil and watered generously. The remaining space is filled to the top with soil and watered again.
- A year after the bed has been planted, the soil in it will have settled by about 15 cm, so with the start of the new season, the bed will need to be replenished with soil again.
Organizing garden beds in a small area
Not always the space allows for a large number of garden beds, but you still want to grow a variety of crops. What should you do in such cases? Don't worry or give up on your garden, as you can always create your own garden beds at your dacha, even in a small space; the key is to organize them properly.
To maximize space, horizontal and suspended structures should be used, which provide additional space for beds.
Garden beds don't necessarily have to be located in the garden. For example, in a recreation area, you can create a tiered garden bed as a beautiful decorative feature. However, it's important to keep the bed's surface level to prevent water from accumulating.
Such beds will not only serve as a place for growing certain crops, but also an excellent addition to the overall landscape design of the site.
Building your own garden beds is usually easy, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice. By knowing a few simple rules and following the nuances, you can transform even the smallest garden into a plantation and delight your family with fresh vegetables, berries, and fresh flowers.
You don't need any special equipment to create garden beds; you can use whatever materials you have on hand, so why not take advantage of this opportunity? After all, DIY garden beds, even if they're not professionally made, have no downsides—only advantages!

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