Establishing raised beds and container gardens.

Upon the launch of our website, the initial content will focus on the topic of raised beds. Our goal is to create a minimum of 24 beds in different locations on our 3-acre property in the upcoming seasons. Carrots, onions, potatoes, garlic, and flowers will be commonly grown in this section of our homestead.

One of the main challenges when working with raised beds and container gardens is choosing the right growing medium. High-quality soil is crucial for successful gardening. Raised beds offer a significant advantage over in-ground gardens as you can fill them with a soil mixture that is better than the natural soil in your yard. The goal is to create a living soil in each raised bed that is loose and abundant in organic matter, enabling plant roots to thrive by providing access to water and essential nutrients for healthy growth.

Every bed on our farm is initiated in a particular manner. Wood debris forms the base layer in all our beds, providing volume and, crucially, serving as a future slow-release fertilizer as it decomposes over time. Additionally, the wood significantly enhances our soil's water retention capacity.

Some advantages of growing in raised beds:

1. Extending the growing season. Raised bed soil warms up and drains more quickly in the spring than soil in in-ground beds, providing gardeners with a few additional weeks for cultivation.

2. Improved soil quality. Modifying the soil to suit your specific gardening requirements is simple. A 3x3 raised bed with 20-inch sides provides an ideal space for cultivating a fertile soil that can support multiple harvests with minimal additional resources.

3. Larger yields are achieved through intensive planting and vertical supports, resulting in a more fruitful garden.

4. Improved soil health. With the growth of microbial communities in each raised bed, your medium transforms into a thriving living soil.

5. Convenient accessibility. Raised beds and planters at a higher level allow the garden to be within easy reach, eliminating the need for bending down.

6. Create a garden in any location. With a variety of raised bed materials, styles, and sizes available, you can cultivate plants in various places — whether it's on heavy clay soils, in front of an unsightly fence, or directly on top of concrete.

Plant protection is ensured by using row fabrics, covers, and clothing, which safeguard your plants against pests and harsh weather conditions. These items are simple to install on a raised bed.

Moreover, we are taking care of numerous containers filled with our custom soil blend. Making your own potting soil is the most cost-effective option for farmers. Purchasing soil in bags, even in large quantities, is prohibitively expensive. And to address any potential questions in advance, yes, I do reuse and recycle all of my soil.

Stay tuned as we keep you posted on our raised bed journey