|
To circumvent problems related
to the soil, a practical solution is to create
raised beds. They create the environment for a
healthy garden by providing good soil and good
drainage. How high the bed should be depends on
the quality of the soil present on the ground.
If the soil is completely unusable then you need
at least 1-3 feet raised beds, or else you can
do with about 8 inches. The height also depends
on the type of plant used. For instance, you need
18 inches of good topsoil if you are using shrubs
and perennials. A raised bed need a boundary made
preferably by local materials such as stones,
boulders or concrete blocks. If one can procure
rot- resistant wood, even they can be used. The
bed can then be filled with good quality topsoil
and compost.
A berm is a variation
of a raised bed and has the same advantages as
raised beds, in that; they provide good soil conditions
and drainage. A berm is simply a large heap of
soil with a height ranging from 1- 4 feet. One
has to keep in mind that the width of the berm
has to increase proportionally, with increase
in its height. You can give circular or oval shape
to the berm - or even slightly irregular ones
to make it look more natural. The soil has to
be compacted well while filling in so that it
is not washed away when it rains. Along with the
soil you can add various soil amendments such
as compost and sphagnum peat moss. The mound then
should be left for a week to settle down before
any planting is undertaken.
Berms provide an interesting aspect
of landscaping. They impart interesting visual
appeal to an otherwise flat and ordinary garden.
You can also direct drainage in the direction
you want to, so that there is no water-stagnation.
A careful choice has to be made while selecting
plants for the berm so that it does not look unnatural.
They also make an interesting site for creating
rock gardens.
Here is how you can build a berm:
- First remove a good amount
of soil from area where berm has to be built.
- Dig and loosen the soil to
break surface crust.
- Then fill enough clay soil,
so that a berm can be built. The contours and
the slope should be determined before the topsoil
layer is added.
- Add a layer of topsoil on top
of clay.
- Mix 2-3 inches of the two topmost
layers.
- Compact the soil gently and
smoothen the sides.
Wait for a week and then you are
ready to plant the berm with turf, shrubs, or
other plants.Some supplies
you will need to construct your garden berm included
soil, much, and drainage supplies. The good news
is that everything you will need is readily available
at your local nursery or home improvement store.
If you like Gardening....These
pages might also interest you:
Allium
Directory, Amaryllis
Directory, Begonia
Directory, Crocus
Directory, Daffodils
Directory, Dahlia
Directory, Hyacinth
Directory, Iris
Directory, Lily
Directory, Tulip
Directory
Also see:
A
Love Affair With Gardening, Charming
Camillias, Firescaping,
Gardening
for the Family, Garden
Rodents, Garden
Catalogs, General
Gardening Tips. Gardens
in the Shade, Hot
Summer Cool Garden, How
to Plant Leeks, Involve
Your Children, Outfits
for Gardening, Photograph
Your Garden, Plant
Care Basics, Using
Leaves as Compost, What
to Avoid Buying Guide, Cheap
Garden Ideas, Creating
Garden Berms, Garden
Fragrances, Garden
Lessons, Gardening
for The Challenged, Gardening
is Great, Gardening
Math, Gardening
Tools, How
to Use Peat, More
About Gardening, Love
affair with Lilacs, Organic
Gardening, Slow
Down and Enjoy, Smart
Plant Shopping, Tips
for Beginners
|
