By Jacquiline Nakandi
A raised garden bed is not a planter. It is a bottomless garden that allows plants to freely penetrate the ground.
According to Drake Kizito, a gardener at Superior Landscapes in Nsambya, a raised bed garden is small and rectangular, made from materials such as wood, blocks and logs among others. It is achieved by neatly aligning and forming a rectangular shape.
Kizito says a gardener can decide on the quality of soil suitable for the growth of plants since they will be in charge of mixing it.
“Herbs, vegetables and flowers can thrive in a raised bed garden,” he says.
Since the soil is prepared by the gardener, Kizito states that fewer weeds and diseases are expected because the soil will be sterilised.
He adds that a high yield is expected due to better drainage which allows plant roots to penetrate easily into the soil.
Making a raised bed garden
For starters, Kizito explains that the durability of the wood matters and that for a long life span, one will have to use treated wood.
“A gardener can use motor oil to deter termites from eating the wood. Paint the lower parts that are attached to the ground because they are more vulnerable,” he suggests.
Place wooden stakes in the ground to form a framework.
He says the stakes will help to support the wood, hence preventing them from failing back.
He adds that a gardener can choose the desired length while keeping in mind the size of the beds. It should be in a position to facilitate easy maintenance without stepping in the beds.
“Make it 4 feet wide to look well-organised, one can also divide it into squares to enable the growth of different plants,” he says.
Then firmly lean the wood on the stakes and join each corner with nails.
One can decide to use logs or concert blocks instead of wood, depending on what one desire.
“A raised garden bed is easy to build, you will not need an expert because you can do it yourself,” he says.
When weeding or harvesting, a gardener will just have to seat at the edge of the garden, thus saving plants from being damaged and stepped on.
Nicholas Kayondo, an agronomist at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) says, another way to make a raised bed is by piling soil in heaps of rows leaving pathways in between.
He adds that measure three feet in width and length depending on the size of the portion you want to work on.
“When planting, space the plants in a length of 2 feet by 2 feet, however, such spaces best work for spinach, Sukuma wiki and cabbage,” he says.
What to grow in raised bed garden
Kayondo explains that flowers, herbs, spices and vegetables will perform well in a raised garden.
Grow plants such as spinach, sukuma wiki, tomatoes, oregano, sage, lettuce, cabbages broccoli, cauliflower, okra, onions, tomatoes and carrots.
Maintenance
Like any other garden, mulch your raised garden to suppress weeds and minimise water loss.
He is of the view that a raised bed garden should be located in an area that receives enough sunlight to enable proper growth of the plants.
“Always remove the unwanted plants to prevent competition for nutrients, water and sunlight,” he advises.
Kizito suggests that a gardener should water the plants only when it is necessary because over-watering them might damage the wood by reducing its durability.
