High beds in the country with their own hands: photo, description of device technologies
Working in the garden takes a lot of time and effort, so every summer resident tries to simplify the process of planting and caring for the crop. The main problem is the need to be in a bent position for a long time, which is why the back hurts and a headache may begin. But this can be avoided by organizing high beds in the country with your own hands. A photo and a detailed description of the device technologies given in this article will help determine the type of beds and the material from which it is better to construct them.
The content of the article
- 1 High beds in the country with their own hands: photo, general information
- 2 How to make a high garden bed in the country with your own hands: types, materials
- 3 Do-it-yourself vertical bed device: photo, technology review
- 3.1 How to buy a vertical bed for strawberries and other low-growing crops
- 3.2 DIY step-by-step making of a pyramid-bed for strawberries: sizes, features
- 3.3 Step-by-step production of vertical beds from plastic pipes for strawberry greenery or flowers
- 3.4 Do-it-yourself use of a construction mesh for vertical beds
- 3.5 How to make a vertical bed for strawberries or other low-growing plants from a pots with your own hands?
- 3.6 Making a vertical bed of strawberry tires with your own hands: photos, features
- 4 General recommendations for arranging vertical strawberry beds
- 5 Diy vertical cucumber beds: photos, features
- 6 Video review: high beds in the country - 100 practical ideas
High beds in the country with their own hands: photo, general information
Raised vegetable gardens are gaining popularity more and more rapidly, they are used not only for growing vegetables, but also for planting flowers (organization of flower beds). Due to the use of various materials for the construction of sides for the garden (or flower bed), some options have a very attractive appearance, due to which they are increasingly used in open areas of the garden. However, in order to properly arrange high beds with sides, it is necessary to know some of the features of such an organization of space in the garden.
Advice! It is not worth arranging high beds in the southern regions. In them, the earth is already warming up enough, and with such a planting, the roots of plants can burn.
Features of the device of high beds
First of all, you should adhere to the recommendations for the size of such beds:
- Height.
Of course, the main thing is that it is convenient to work with the new bed, the arrangement at the waist level is considered optimal, but in each case everything is individual, so be guided by your feelings.
In addition, the height depends on the degree of soil fertility. So for fertile soil, the minimum value is 15 cm, for infertile soil - 30 cm.
Important! When planting potatoes in tall beds, the minimum height garden fencing - 40 cm.
- Length and width.
The length of the structure can be any (as far as your garden allows), the main thing is to additionally strengthen the extended sections with retaining posts. The width should be given special attention. It is advisable to plant no more than two rows of plants in a bed 90-120 cm wide. This way they will receive enough sunlight, and you can easily reach everyone.
Next, you need to choose a place for installing a high bed. At the same time, the quality of the soil of a particular site does not really matter, since it will not participate in ensuring the life of the plant. The main thing is to check whether a sufficient amount of light enters a given section of the garden, it is desirable that the sun's rays illuminate the plants for at least 5 hours a day.
In tall beds, you can grow almost anything: from vegetables to berries. However, plants that are too tall (for example, corn) should not be planted in them due to the complexity of their subsequent care.
Pros and cons of high beds
Many summer residents continue to use ordinary beds, despite their inconvenience. Compared to the traditional construction method, tall structures have the following advantages:
- The soil under such beds can be any.
Here we are talking about both its quality (fertility, the presence of sand and stones) and the features of the landscape (high beds can be arranged even on a slope without harming the harvest).
- Ease of installation.
When arranging such beds, the use of technically complex tools and materials is not required, there will be enough improvised means, and what remains from the construction site (for example, slate, boards, and so on).
- Ease of operation.
Planting, watering, harvesting - everything will be easier and faster than with a traditional device. This is especially important when working with low-growing crops, for example, high beds for strawberries will be a salvation for any summer resident, because the search for this berry takes a lot of time.
- Erosion of the soil during irrigation is excluded (provided that the sides are properly organized with sufficient strength and height).
- Fewer weeds.
Due to the lack of direct contact with the rest of the garden. In addition, the soil in tall beds is easier to fertilize and renew for maximum quality.
- Increased disease resistance is characteristic of plants grown in such beds.
- Early landing possible.
When the ground has not yet thawed and even in greenhouses they do not start planting, high beds are already ready, since the working layer of the soil is above ground level, which means it warms up much earlier.
- There is no need to tie up plants (such as cucumbers and tomatoes), you can leave them hanging down.
- Instead of hilling, you can loosen the soil shallowly, which reduces the time and effort spent caring for the crop.
- The ground does not get trampled by walking, so it stays loose for longer, supplying a sufficient amount of oxygen to the root system.
- Attractive appearance.
There are many materials that are suitable for arranging tall beds, so you can choose the perfect option that will become the highlight of your site.
Nothing is perfect, so this type of bed also has disadvantages:
- Fast drying of the soil.
The main disadvantage of this method of arranging the territory, because of which it often becomes impractical (especially in elevated areas). You can remedy the situation by frequent watering, the best way is a device drip irrigation systems (then the soil will be evenly wetted throughout the entire thickness without your participation).
- Installation takes a lot of effort and money.
This disadvantage is controversial, since the energy spent on arranging such a bed is nothing compared to the forces that will be required to process a traditional bed. As for the money, their investment can be avoided by using materials at hand.
- Freezing of soil in winter.
Due to the small volume, the soil freezes faster and more strongly than with traditional planting, which can adversely affect perennial crops.
Advice! Install a drip irrigation system in advance to simplify crop care. So the plants will receive the same and sufficient amount of nutrients without your participation.
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How to make a high garden bed in the country with your own hands: types, materials
If you want to make a custom garden with your own hands, first you need to understand the types of such structures. Summer residents distinguish between the beds by design features and the way the side is organized.
By design, the beds are:
- High.
- Multilevel.
The most common case is the construction of a multi-tiered bed for strawberries, it is not difficult to do this with your own hands, and the harvest time will be significantly reduced.
- Vertical.
In addition to the shape of the bed, it is necessary to choose the material of the sides. Usually, improvised means are used, but in order to achieve the best result, it is advisable to take a responsible approach to the choice. In fact, the bumpers can be made from anything, but the most famous and convenient are:
- Wood.
It is quite inexpensive to buy boards for high beds, so the tree is often used in this case. However, this material has a significant drawback - ants and other insects are often found in it, which affects the quality of the crop. If this happens, the sides need to be replaced.
- Slate.
- Plastic.
Durable and unpretentious material, however, it is worth paying special attention to its quality, especially environmental safety.
- Brick.
Durability and attractive appearance are the main advantages of this material. The disadvantage is the price, but if there are bricks left from the construction site, this solution will be an excellent choice.
- Plastic pipes.
Great for vertical beds, as they are very easy to install.
What is the design of the high bed? For its installation, it is necessary to install the sides of the selected material, then lay the following layers in sequence:
- Geotextile to prevent the rapid release of nutrients into the soil when watering, as well as to protect against pests and weeds.
- Drainage (this can be rubble, brick fragments, and so on).
- Grass and peat.
- Priming.
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Do-it-yourself vertical bed device: photo, technology review
Vertical beds are one of the varieties of high, more precisely - an extreme degree. They are ideal for small areas as they help make the most of the space.
Vertical beds have the same advantages and disadvantages as just high ones, only to a greater extent (for example, soil cultivation is required even less, and the lack of moisture is even more pronounced), but there are other advantages of such an arrangement:
- Significant space savings.
Such a structure can even be attached to the wall of a building, the main thing is that a sufficient amount of sunlight falls on it.
- Mobility.
Any vertical bed can be equipped with wheels for quick movement to another place. But even without them, some structures are very lightweight, so moving will not take much time and effort.
Vertical beds can be designed from almost any material, the main thing is that it is durable, durable and environmentally friendly. The highest quality designs that have already been used by a large number of summer residents:
- Bed-pyramid.
- A bed of plastic pipes.
- Vertical bed made of mesh.
- Using pots.
- From tires.
Not every summer resident is ready to spend time and effort building a vertical bed for strawberries and other low-growing crops, so many resort to buying this design.
How to buy a vertical bed for strawberries and other low-growing crops
Thanks to their unique design, vertical beds purchased from specialized stores are very popular. When buying, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
- Check if the material of construction complies with environmental and fire safety regulations.
- Match the dimensions to the available space.
- Check watering options for plants (some modern vertical bed models have channels for efficient watering).
- Find out which plants this system is suitable for (each plant has its own planting depth, you need to decide this issue before buying to avoid subsequent problems).
There are a large number of both expensive and modern and budget models of vertical beds on the market. However, if you do not want to spend money, you can make a good system yourself using available tools.
DIY step-by-step making of a pyramid-bed for strawberries: sizes, features
Self-erection of a pyramidal bed for strawberries is a rather complicated and lengthy process. First you need to stock up on the following tools and materials:
- Wood planks cut according to drawings.
They must be coated with linseed oil and varnish to increase their service life. At the same time, it is forbidden to use chemicals that are quickly absorbed into the ground and affect the safety and taste of berries.
- Nails.
They are selected depending on the thickness of the wood used.
- Hand tools (hammer, plane).
- Full length perforated plastic tube.
- Soil and humus for filling the frame.
- Grid.
First of all, we prepare the base for the pyramid and lay the mesh on it. Then we install the lower tier of the structure on it and fill it in with soil (about 150 mm).Now you need to install the plastic pipe in the center for irrigation, while tightly closing the bottom hole. Next, humus is laid.
All layers are repeated in the above order until the desired height is reached. At the same time, it is important to reduce the size of each subsequent frame of the bed with a pyramidal structure for maximum illumination of the lower layers, as well as ensuring optimal load on them.
Step-by-step production of vertical beds from plastic pipes for strawberry greenery or flowers
Among vertical beds, structures made of plastic pipes are very popular due to their low cost and ease of installation and maintenance. When making vertical beds from plastic pipes, one or two pipes can be used. Let's consider the first option.
It is necessary to take a sewer pipe 2.5 m long and with a diameter of, say, 110 mm. During installation, a third of the pipe is buried in the ground to ensure the stability of the structure; in the rest, holes with a diameter of 3-4 cm must be made for planting plants in them.
After the pipe is securely fastened, we fill the previously prepared soil into the holes. At the same time, it is not necessary to buy a specialized mixture, if there is fertile land on the site, you can use it. Strawberry (or other plant) seeds can be mixed directly with soil or added to the holes (which is the best option).The system is irrigated from above, while the water does not flow to the plants quite evenly, so it is better to make a two-pipe system.
The peculiarity of installing two-pipe beds made of pvc pipes with your own hands is to insert a pipe of a smaller diameter into a larger one. Watering will be carried out through a narrow pipeline, in which small holes need to be made to distribute the water. In this case, the space between the pipes is filled with soil.
The main advantage of such systems is the ability to pull them out of the ground, lay them down and cover them for the winter (which is especially important for strawberries).
Do-it-yourself use of a construction mesh for vertical beds
There are two ways to use metal mesh to create tall beds:
- As a supporting structure.
In this case, it is necessary to use a thick, reliable mesh that will be able to support a decent weight. In this case, the mesh is stretched between the support posts (or the corners of the house), plunges a little into the ground and is securely fixed. Now you can insert pots or bottles with plants into it. This option is great for growing seedlings or other plants that will need to be replanted later.
- Mesh + polyethylene.
First, the mesh is stretched, then a plastic film is attached to it, and soil with humus is poured between them. This design is suitable for growing greens, onions and other small plants. It is not strong, so the best way to fix it is to the wall of the house. But even then it will not last more than 3-4 years.
- As a support for climbing plants.
In this case, a vertical bed is attached to the usual one (for cucumbers, grapes, and so on). This method is much more convenient than the standard tying to sticks.
How to make a vertical bed for strawberries or other low-growing plants from a pots with your own hands?
A flower bed can decorate your landscape, since this design is an original solution, moreover, it opens up opportunities for imagination. To create such a vertical bed, you must:
- Several pots.
You don't have to look for pots of the same size, different ones will also be an interesting solution.
- Beam or pipe.
For fastening and ensuring the stability of the structure.
- Soil and seedlings.
- Paint (optional)
If you are using ceramic pots, which are quite heavy, the pipe may not be used for structural stability. The main thing is to reduce the size of the pots as you move up and not make the structure too high.
If you have light plastic pots, you need to pass a pipe (or timber) through the water hole, which will become the basis for the system. The planter can be arranged randomly, painted in different colors, decorated - it all depends on your imagination.
Important! For the stability of the structure, it is necessary to deepen the pipe (or timber) into the ground. Otherwise, the pots will be fixed only to each other, which will not prevent the structure from overturning under external influences.
Making a vertical bed of strawberry tires with your own hands: photos, features
Making a garden bed or flower bed from tires is a fairly well-known method. However, most summer residents use tires only for enclosing flower beds, that is, creating only one level.
There are several ways to use car tires to create vertical beds:
- Installing multiple tires in a checkerboard pattern.
At the same time, you can paint them in different colors, thereby creating a sunny mood in any weather.
- Installation of tires of different diameters in the form of a pyramid.
You can also cut slots in the tires, then the vegetation will be not only on horizontal surfaces, but throughout the entire structure.
- Create a tall bed using multiple tires.
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General recommendations for arranging vertical strawberry beds
Vertical beds can be used for many plants, but for strawberries, their use is especially important for the following reasons:
- When placed vertically, the berries do not touch the ground, which is why they do not rot.
- Antennae and strawberry berries additionally decorate the site.
- The harvest time is reduced significantly.
- Birds will not eat crops.
Vertical beds do not provide for large horizontal areas, so it will be inconvenient for birds to land.If the structure is vertical (for example, a bed of pallets, boards, tires, and so on), strawberries require additional watering (both in the first weeks and throughout their life). In addition, when arranging vertical beds, you must adhere to some recommendations.
If the bed is bulky (for example, from tires), it is advisable to collect it immediately at the place of the planned permanent location. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to transfer it. The place should be chosen so that enough sun gets on the strawberries, but during the daytime it should get as little as possible, otherwise the berries will simply burn. The ideal growth direction for strawberries is southeast or southwest.
Strawberries will not grow well in regular soil from the site. It is better to prepare a special mixture consisting of humus, peat, soil and hydrogel. It is important that all components are well mixed and evenly distributed over the cells.
And the last important point - take care of crop protection in advance during the cold season. Strawberry is a perennial plant, but without protection we will freeze in winter. Therefore, it is important to organize the possibility of its shelter or transfer (in the case of small structures) to a suitable place.
Diy vertical cucumber beds: photos, features
Cucumbers are an unpretentious crop, but some are worth remembering before planting for maximum yield.
First of all, let's figure out the location of the beds. It is necessary to choose the most distant from the water, otherwise it will have a negative impact on the future harvest. The absence of drafts is also important.
Top dressing, watering and loosening should occur as often as possible (especially if you made a vertical cucumber bed with your own hands). And when the crop is ripe, it is important to harvest it very carefully to prevent damage to the stems.
In each case, there is a convenient way of growing cucumbers in the open field:
- Traditional method (suitable for large areas with fertile soil).
- Vertical cucumber bed (great solution when planting area is limited).
Beds of this type can be made of different materials, but they have a single design. Cucumbers grow from a container, bag, or stationary bed and curl along a vertical surface, which is usually a net.
- Mobile bed (extreme case of vertical).
- Warm tall beds (its device allows you to get a harvest one month faster).
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Video review: inHigh beds in the country - 100 practical ideas