The number of garden posts I want to share is growing at a staggering rate. But with the morning air turning dewy, and evenings cool enough for warm socks and an extra blanket, I have a feeling my gardening passion will well outlive the growing season this year.
Back in June, I shared my thoughts on container gardening and what varieties of fruits/veggies were faring well in containers. At the beginning of July, I was blessed to have a raised bed built in the backyard. After switching most of my plants from containers to raised beds, I learned a few things along the way.
Please take note of my amazing DIY trellis. It cost about $2.00 to make. I think the ripped electrical tape really gives it some pizzazz.
The largest task you want to keep in mind when transplanting, up-potting, or moving your plants is: don’t stress the plants out, y’all. Seriously, though! Your plants are soaking up sun, doing molecular science, growing food, and overall being awesome. The less stressful the transition is from Point A to Point B, the better.
When switching your plants from container to container (or container to raised bed), first stop watering. Give your plants a good 2-3 days to dry out. This makes sliding the plant out of its container much easier and reduces injury to the roots. Once the plants have dried a bit, you’re ready to introduce them to their new home.
When planning my raised bed, I found it easiest to make a spreadsheet of my plants and their thinning requirements. (Thinning means how much room to leave between each plant. For example, many heirloom tomato plants like to have a minimum of 2 feet between each plant.)
Once you have your thinning requirements, take it back old school and pull out the graph paper. Sketch your raised beds and where plants would fit most nicely. Use this planning time to also make note of similar plants and plant families. Companion planting promotes healthy plants and cut down on pests, which is a win-win.
Then you’re ready to fertilize the raised bed. Whether you grow conventionally or organically (as I do), you’ll want to give the plants something to snack on in their new home. It’s only polite, after all.
Before you know it, your plants will be in their new homes, the soil will be fertilized, and you are ready to do a happy dance! Or you’ll at least be ready to watch one of your dogs freeze in fancy hunting pose because of the smell of organic fish emulsion and bone meal coming from the garden.
Your last step is to give a big, deep drink to your new raised bed. Your plants haven’t been watered for a few days, so they are thirsty, plus the boost of water helps settle and distribute the fertilizer evenly. And voila! You’ve converted your container garden into a raised bed garden.
Other garden posts from this season: Learning to Grow Your Own, Growing Your Own Food & Every Mistake in the Book, and In the Garden: Growing Your Own Food in Containers.
How’s your garden lately?
Do you prefer container gardening or raised beds?