How to install ready-made beds on an inclined plot. Plot on a slope: how to organize a small garden

“Smart” garden beds for the most advanced gardeners will help to make life easier for a gardener, increase the productivity of crops and turn worries about the harvest into relaxation. Lazy-bed technology keeps seedlings from falling apart and allows the harvest to meet your expectations.

Do you want your garden to become your pride? Read our article on how to do it.

With the right approach, the garden can become not just a place for growing vegetables, but also turn into a stylish object of landscape design. Experts in this field have developed many recommendations in this regard.

How to arrange beautiful beds for the lazy, high and smart beds - this is what a gardener needs to know.

• When planning a garden, pay attention to the fertility and illumination of the place for the beds.
• Prioritize the quality of the beds, not their quantity. A few neat beds will look much better than an extensive garden overgrown with weeds.
• To save space, use multi-level structures.
• Framing the sides will help improve the yield and give the beds an aesthetic appearance. Stone, paving stones, colored slate, plastic fences are perfect for this purpose.
• The optimal width of the paths between the beds is 70 cm.
• In order for the plants not to obscure each other, place them from north to south on a flat area, on an area with a slope - perpendicular to it. At the same time, the southern slope is preferable for vegetable crops, and the northern slope is preferable for garden crops.
• Don't limit yourself to rectangular shapes. The beds can be made in an arcuate manner or in the form of various geometric shapes, arranged in groups or create a single composition.

Summer residents grow many crops that have similar growing characteristics or, conversely, contradict each other.

Materials for beds

By zoning the site with the help of beds, incompatible plant species can be separated or those that are characterized by the same care system can be combined.

The principles of lazy beds

The basic principle of the new approach to garden care is that you can dig and weed the earth only during preparation and planting, otherwise it will dry out quickly and will not be able to provide moisture to the crops. Only surface loosening is allowed.

The lazy bed is a completely new approach to gardening that will allow seedlings to grow on their own and yield several times more.

You need to start preparing the beds in advance. Collect straw, sawdust or cones, cover the surface with them so that it is difficult for weeds to germinate in this area. This procedure is called soil mulching. It is thanks to her that the beds will no longer have to be weeded.

The rule says that it is impossible to dig and weed the earth, except for its preparation and planting itself.

Progressive summer residents have long appreciated the charm of an automatic irrigation system that saves their time without harming the crop. With the push of a button, you can start watering and your garden beds will stay lush and green with little effort on your part.

Even if constant weeding can remove weeds and fluff up the earth, sooner or later it will dry out and will not be able to provide sufficient moisture for crops.

DIY lazy garden

Homemade fences are an easy way to build the foundation for a garden bed.

1. Determine the desired height of the sides.
2. Connect the boards with a screwdriver, remove the clamps.
3. Turn the bed over, set in place. Make sure that the illumination here is sufficient for the germination of seedlings.
4. Bury the corner bars 12-15 cm into the ground.
5. Adjust the sides using the building level. This is necessary for the proper operation of the irrigation system.
6. From the inside, install plastic tubes so that the walls do not collapse from the weather.
7. Level the area, cover it with a mole net.
8. Backfill the soil.
9. Fix the irrigation system.
10. Plant seedlings.
11. Install an awning if necessary.

In this approach, the very preparation for a future planting is very important - it is advisable to do this since the fall.

high beds

Poor climate and low yields will be forgotten problems for you thanks to the high design of the beds. Their creation is quite laborious, but the result will pleasantly surprise you.

Although this is a very time-consuming process at first - building the frame itself and watering the beds, but it is she who will allow you to forget about the bad climate and low yields.

The advantages of such beds.

• Good warming of the soil due to the proximity of the sun. They can be planted as early as April.
• The lower mesh will protect the crop from moles and rodents.
• A frame with a width of about 1.5 m will ensure the convenience of watering, since it will be possible to approach it from both sides.
• By dividing it into two parts, you can easily organize a greenhouse with your own hands.
• Harvest in high beds appears earlier than normal.

A high bed is always under the rays of the sun, which contributes to the warming of the earth layer, so it can be planted as early as April without fear of freezing.

However, one drawback of this design can be identified - the need for frequent watering due to the fact that moisture quickly goes down.

The most popular materials for making high beds are:

• Aluminum barrels;
• Stone;
• Brick;
• Logs.

It is worth noting that it is high beds that give the earliest harvest, first of salads, and then of fastidious vegetables.

They are made in the form of combs or trapeziums. They are created for one season, since under the snow in winter they noticeably settle. Used mainly for melons - cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini. Sometimes potatoes are planted in them.

Smart beds

The main principle in smart beds remains the same as in lazy ones, but the emphasis is on fertilizers. The quantity of the crop and how carefully it will be necessary to care for it directly depends on their quality.

Smart beds only need to be dug once. They do not need weeding - the mulch will not allow weeds to sprout.

The soil in them is compost, consisting of straw, leaves and sawdust containing nutrients. A thin layer of soil is laid on top of it, and in a couple of weeks the bed can be planted.

Warm beds

The principle of building warm beds is based on multi-layering and the location of fresh manure in their lower layers. In winter, the main processes are launched, and by spring it begins to decompose. As it rots, the manure gives off heat, and the bed is ready for planting early.

Many gardeners have been convinced more than once that high-quality fertilizer gives a big harvest that does not require much effort from its owner.

This method is suitable for radishes, cucumbers and other crops with shallow roots.

Warm bed with your own hands

Having previously sampled the soil by 40-50 cm, we lay the layers in the following sequence.

Such a bed uses not ordinary soil as soil, but compost, which is based on straw, leaves and sawdust, which as a result gives even more useful substances for future plants.

1. large wood
2. small wood
3. Earth
4. Organics - waste
5. Earth again
6. Organics - waste
7. Sprinkle EM-Bokashi, spill EM-A
8. Humus
9. Mulch (5-8 cm)

The term of operation of such beds is 6-8 years.

Unusual solutions

The garden does not have to be boring at all, because here you can easily find a place for the manifestation of imagination and originality.

Hanging beds

You can create unusual beds that will give the garden an original look and save the space of the site, you can do it yourself . You can make them from bags or plastic pipes cut in half. Plant strawberries, herbs or small vegetable crops in them.

Your site will be filled with meaning and you can give it personality.

Another advantage of this design is that you can plant seedlings in them in advance, and take them outside when it gets warmer.

vertical beds

Another way to save space is vertical multi-tiered beds. Wooden boards, boxes and plastic pipes will be an excellent material for creating such structures. with your own hands.

The arrangement and shape of the beds - depending on your imagination and the convenience of bypassing them.

Beds from improvised materials

The most familiar things can be adapted to containers for planting vegetables:

• Baskets;
• boxes;
• Watering cans;
• Old chest of drawers;
• Crockery;
• Car tires;
• Unnecessary boots and boots;
• Wooden barrels;
• bath;
• Bike.

Framing the beds is not only the key to a good harvest.

You can even build a flowering garden from a pair of old jeans. And decorating tires, you can create the most unexpected compositions in the form of animals, flowers and heroes of your favorite cartoons.

Do-it-yourself multi-tiered garden

Make a classic square three-level garden bed do it yourself pretty simple. Preliminarily outline the location of its location and draw up a plan on paper, taking into account the characteristics of the planned vegetables, the number of tiers, the size and topography of the site.

Combining certain crops in one garden will create an amazing plant design.

1. Level and mark the surface.
2. Treat the boards with antiseptic impregnation.
3. Mount the sides with a height of at least 15 cm, observing right angles. Remember that the next levels will be lower in height. Therefore, it is better to choose a height with a margin.
4. Connect the boards into shields using bars with sides of 50 cm.
5. Lay polyethylene or metal mesh on the ground, cover with drainage, then with soil, and then with compost.
6. The second level is installed from above. It should occupy 2/3 of the lower tier. Layers are stacked similarly to the previous one.
7. The third level is made even smaller: it occupies 1/3 of the first tier.
8. At the final stage, paint the outer walls of the beds with wood paint.

The composition can consist not only of vegetables, but also of herbs, flowers. Some types of plants are able to provide vegetable crops with protection against pests and diseases.

The space between the beds can be filled with pebbles or separated by small paths.

A task	Solution
Pick up inventory	Don't skimp on tools. Cheap inventory will quickly become unusable, and you will need to buy a new one. Therefore, it is better to immediately choose high-quality things.
Organize storage	Wall cabinet with shelves and fixtures Garden toilet converted into storage room small lockers Baskets for small things Metal guards
Effectively combine cultures with each other	Play with contrasts and shapes. Pair climbing plants with oversized zucchini and watermelons, or use the same crops but different colors.
Lay paths between beds	Lay them out with pebbles, concrete tiles, lawn grass, or wood saw cuts.
Treat wooden fences	The most economical way: use copper sulfate on the inside, lime on the outside. The most durable: terrace board.
Create an effective garden design	Choose a uniform style. Perfect for the garden: Mediterranean, Japanese, country. Choose matching borders, garden patterns, and garden figurines.

Garden decor

Decorative elements are something without which it is impossible to imagine a stylish garden. A small windmill, a figurine of a garden gnome or a figurine in the shape of an animal, like an accidentally forgotten watering can or a cartwheel - all these little things will complement the design of your site, and it will sparkle with fresh colors.

The design of the beds can be the most diverse, it all depends on the imagination.

No one forbids combining vegetables with garden plants. Flower beds, arches, trellises and "huts" entwined with curly flowers will fit perfectly here.

To diversify the appearance of plantings, you can add flowers to vegetable crops, for example, marigolds.

Uniform style

We bring to your attention the most popular solutions for garden design in the general style.

Choose plants that contrast in shape and color, do not be afraid to experiment!

Style	Colors	materials	Peculiarities
Mediterranean	Pastel shades, terracotta, ocher	Natural stone, paving slabs, wood flooring, brick	Decentralization The presence of a recreation area High terraces, multi-level structures climbing plants
Country	Variegated natural shades	Natural wood, stone, willow	Smooth lines A large number of flowers Using household items as accessories Wicker designs
Japanese	Green palette	Small gravel, pebbles, boulders	Decorating with lanterns, bridges, gazebos Asymmetry, irregular shapes low beds
French	Delicate natural colors	Almost any: wood, stone, brick, slate, concrete	The beds of the correct geometric shape, divided into segments paved paths Framing with decorative stone or border

A stylish garden with a unique design will be the pride of any summer resident, and smart technologies, high beds and the right choice of soil will help increase productivity and save effort and money spent on care.

VIDEO: Beautiful beds - a beautiful garden with your own hands!

50 design options for a vegetable garden with beds:

The garden bed is the basis of the garden, the harvest, the effort and time spent on processing and agricultural technology for growing crops depend on its laying. When thinking about how to arrange the beds on the site correctly and conveniently, it is important to take into account a set of factors: location and topography, climate, soil features, cardinal points and a number of other factors. Study the theoretical aspects in advance to avoid problems in practice and increase the yield of each hectare.

Basic rules for creating beds

To optimize garden work, even before the start of field work, it is necessary:

• determine the types of vegetables to be grown, as well as their quantity;
• using special tables to calculate the required area;
• draw up a plan of the site and the location of the beds on it.

The right beds are functional and beautiful

Such simple preparation will help to avoid unnecessary labor costs and, possibly, will allow allocating a place for recreation, or fruit and berry crops, on the territory.

Area and location of the site

To determine the required area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe garden, first of all, decide whether you will grow vegetables only for the family, or also for sale. Kurdyumov N.I., the author of the book "Encyclopedia of a smart summer resident", claims that a family of five people will have enough 90 square meters of landings, without taking into account the paths between them. He uses ridges 0.5 m wide with wide passages of 1 m, that is, the area of ​​​​the occupied site is about 4 acres.

It is not necessary to rely on other people's advice. Using special tables, calculate the annual need for vegetables per family, as well as the required area for their cultivation. To save space as well as increase yields, grow crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and the like on a trellis, or tie them up.

Table of the needs of vegetables and the area of ​​​​their cultivation

Having calculated the size of the garden, proceed to its location on the plan. Consider here:

• grow vegetables on the south side of the cottage, there is more sunlight and the earth warms up better;
• trees and buildings should not obscure the garden, place them on the north side of it;
• the relief of the allotment should be as even as possible, if this cannot be achieved, take care of drainage grooves in low-lying places, or consider a terraced garden.

An example of a site layout on paper

The shape of the allotment for growing vegetables can be any, do not go in cycles in standard rectangles. However, keep in mind that when processing it is undesirable to walk between plantings, so do not make the beds too large. Ideally, if standing on the path, you can process the plantings across the entire width, or at least more than half.

If the backyard area is small, consider high, vertical or multi-level landings. They are especially popular for growing strawberries, wild strawberries, herbs. Keep in mind that it is better to make vertical structures with perennials mobile in order to be able to hide them for the winter, otherwise the vegetables may freeze.

Non-standard multi-level beds

Rules and features of the layout

A serious approach to growing vegetables requires a little preparation and competent planning of beds in the garden and their location.

1. Prepare a separate notebook where you will write down how to distribute the beds on the site.
2. Make a summer cottage plan in a notebook, mark the location of the ridges on it.
3. Number the ridges.
4. On a blank sheet, write the year of sowing and the numbering of the islets with the crops that you will grow.

Such a notebook and diagram will serve for many years, preserving important information for the gardener. It helps to navigate between crops, adhere to sevosmen and correctly select neighboring plants, which is extremely important even for a small area. After all, non-observance of crop rotation of vegetables and ignoring their compatibility threatens with soil depletion and a significant reduction in yield.

For the convenience of the seed shift, conditionally divide the territory into four zones, where you will grow crops with different requirements for soil nutrition, as well as perennials.

• Very demanding - cabbage, cucumbers, pumpkin, potatoes, garlic.
• Moderately demanding - onions, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi, radishes, peppers, potatoes, melons.
• Undemanding - the legume family.
• Perennials - strawberries, wild strawberries, rhubarb, perennial herbs.

Proper layout facilitates crop rotation

When planning your garden layout, be sure to mark the location of the compost heap. If you do not want to spoil the appearance of the landscape, put a composter. The remains of plants and other organic matter, stacked here, are processed better than in a regular pile. To enhance the effect of decay, use special bacteriological additives.

The layout of the cottage on the slope

The location of the cottage on a slope is not an obstacle to growing garden crops. Practical advice from experts will facilitate this process:

• Position the beds across the slope to reduce erosion.
• On a slope up to 50, place vegetables in its upper part. Plant shrubs at the bottom or make high beds, with excessive soil moisture there.
• On a slope with a steepness above 5.10, equip terraces on which you already place plantings. The recommended ratio of their length and width in this arrangement is 4:1 or 5:1.
• On a slope steeper than 70, make ditches up to 20 cm deep in the middle of the garden and at a distance of 1 m from the edge of the terrace. This will further protect the soil from erosion.

Terraced vegetable garden

Creation of new beds

Raised or recessed fenced plantings are very popular with modern gardeners. They are easier to process, you can use special earthen mixtures with the right composition, it is easier to calculate the required amount of fertilizer, and a fine mesh at the bottom will protect you from rodents. Make these beds "warm" and harvest two crops a year, because vegetables will ripen a couple of weeks faster.

If you plan the location of the garden on an unplowed virgin land, use one of the methods:

1. Remove the layer of sod, but don't throw it away, chop it up and compost it. Dig up the bare earth, if possible, add new fertile soil. Reinforce the edges with ribs.
2. Less time-consuming method: Dig up a vegetable garden and plant it with potatoes. The number of weeds will decrease significantly, but don't expect a bountiful harvest in the first year.
3. Make raised beds: dig a place for a vegetable garden or just trample (mow) the grass. Equip the sides of the desired height. Put branches, thick stems of plants, cardboard, paper at the bottom, cover with quickly distilled organic matter and soil. In dry climatic conditions, such ridges are best deepened into the ground.

Creating raised "warm" beds

There is a wide variety of techniques for arranging beds:

• high - very popular with American farmers;
• hillock;
• according to the Mitlider method;
• multi-tiered and others.

In each case, be sure to put bumpers around the edges, this prevents the soil from spreading and prevents weeds from spreading to them from the paths. For edging, purchase ready-made garden borders or use any available materials:

• tree, pre-treat it with an antiseptic;
• concrete;
• plastic;
• metal;
• brick;
• slate.

Be sure to follow the order of planting the beds marked on your layout plan. To save space and increase yield, plant new plants in the areas vacated after the collection of predecessors. This way you can grow not only vegetables with a short growing season, but also, for example, potatoes, if you dig them up young.

Bed parameters - a little geometry and mathematics

Professional gardeners are advised to abandon the traditional continuous planting of land in favor of separate rather narrow beds with wide paths. It is claimed that the yield of crops in such a garden is higher, because, thanks to a well-thought-out arrangement, the illumination of each plant is significantly increased. In addition, properly selected planting parameters make it easier to care for them.

Comfortable wide aisles are a must

How to calculate the optimal width

The recommended optimal width of the beds in the garden differs in different sources. The only thing that all farmers agree on is that it must be such that it is easy to process vegetables without entering the soil.

Thus, the width of the last strip should not exceed 1 m. Between plantings, it is necessary to have passages with an optimal width of 90-100 cm. You should not make the distance between the beds, because the sprawling tops of plants will significantly reduce this area.

Narrow beds along the Mitlider are also popular. This American farmer developed the "ideal garden" system, which alternates 45 cm wide beds with 90 cm aisles. Plants planted in this way receive maximum sunlight and are well ventilated. These factors, together with a balanced top dressing, guarantee a high yield even in the absence of good weather conditions.

Location in greenhouses

What should be the ideal length

Focus more attention not on the length, but on the fact that all the tapes are the same size, this will greatly simplify the care of crops. However, some amateurs ignore this point, creating whole compositions from landings of different lengths, thus ennobling the design of the site.

Original approach to form

What height to choose

The height depends on the climatic conditions and the characteristics of the soil on the site. On light sandy loamy soil, you should not raise the plantings, especially if the climate is dry. High beds warm up better, but also dry out faster, so they will require frequent watering. In such conditions, make a “warm” bed deep, not raised.

Heavy clay soils, especially in places that are often flooded with water, or with a close occurrence of groundwater, need raised structures. The optimal height for processing is 40 cm, but sometimes they are made even higher - 60-70 cm.

In small areas, it is possible to place a vegetable garden at different levels. At the same time, make the lowest landings on the south side, gradually increasing their height, so the plants will not shade each other.

Raised beds are easy to handle

Raised beds have a number of advantages:

• convenient watering;
• water does not stagnate;
• hilling is not necessary;
• if mulched, weeding is not needed;
• no need to dig, it is enough to loosen by 7 - 10 cm;
• early planting of vegetables is possible;
• easy to do crop rotation;
• when planting, it is unnecessary to fertilize the hole;
• with the smart use of organic matter, there is no need for inorganic fertilizers;
• can be used forever.

The location of the beds relative to the cardinal points

Experts recommend drawing up a diagram of the beds in the garden, taking into account the characteristics of the site, the climatic factor and orientation to the cardinal points. Given the latter, many often violate the standard arrangement along or across the site, replacing it with an oblique or diagonal placement of beds in relation to the sun. The unfamiliarity and aesthetic imperfection of such an arrangement is compensated by a number of advantages.

What gives an accurate calculation

The correct orientation of landings contributes to:

• reduction in the number of diseased and underdeveloped plants;
• uniform illumination of crops;
• reducing the frequency of watering;
• increase in productivity by 10-15%;
• reduction of the ripening time of some crops by 3-5 days.

Orientation from north to south with a predominance of cloudy days

In addition, some gardeners claim that vegetables grown in the correct direction of planting are better stored.

Planning features for different regions

So, residents of the northern and central regions, where there is less sunlight and more cloudy days, as well as with insufficient heat and excess moisture, are advised to orient plantings from north to south. Plants planted in this way will not shade each other.

Vegetable gardens in the southern hot and dry regions need beds oriented from west to east. With such a planting, crops shade the ground between the rows, respectively, it dries less, in addition, the negative effect of overheated soil decreases. Farmers' experiences show that in conditions of lack of rainfall, the yield of corn sown in this way was 20-25% more than that which grew in rows from north to south.

The location of the beds on the cardinal points is not always justified. The presence of strong constant winds in the region or the location of the site at an angle significantly correct this scheme. So, the negative effect of dry winds on plants is compensated by planting across the direction of air currents. In this case, plantings dry out less and retain more carbon dioxide, which contributes to photosynthesis. Ridges on an uneven area are made only across the slope.

Mitlider layout

Paths between beds

The width of the paths between the beds is described above (at least 90 cm), but it is important not only to correctly calculate the parameters of this zone, but also to equip the passages to exclude weeds. It can be both capital paths and temporary flooring. Such floorings not only prevent the growth of weeds, but also make the work of the gardener more convenient.

What to make garden paths

What to put between the beds so that the grass does not grow:

• wide boards or flooring from narrow boards, knocked down for strength in one line;
• fiberboard sheets;
• ruberoid;
• mulch from sawdust, hay, grass from the lawn. It is important to remember that fresh sawdust oxidizes the soil;
• a mound of pebbles, rubble, broken bricks - such paths between the beds are very decorative and decorate the landscape;
• old linoleum;
• carton boxes.

Tree cuts

If the location of the landings does not change and the paths always remain in place, it makes sense to make capital paths. The most reliable covering between the beds from weeds is concrete. Concrete passages can be monolithic, under an artificial stone or under a tile.

You can also lay out the tracks with tiles and not only concrete. The rubber tile looks very nice, in addition, it does not slip, which makes the movement of the summer resident safe.

Passages decorated with tree cuts look spectacular, but grass will still grow between the cuts if the recommendations below are not followed.

capital approach

How to prevent weeds from sprouting

This method is suitable for the design of permanent passages, that is, for those who do not plan to change the location of the beds.

How to make paths between beds so that weeds do not grow:

1. Having worked out a clear plan of the garden, mark the passages.
2. Remove the top layer of soil in the aisles. If the beds are raised or with high curbs, you can not remove.
3. Lay cardboard, layers of paper, rags, black film for beds or geotextiles - a special material from grass.
4. Cover with sand or sawdust.
5. From above, make a hard and rain-resistant coating, for example, fill it with pebbles or broken bricks.

Beds-hills, located taking into account a complex of factors

As a result, capital passages will be obtained, on which nothing will grow. In the case of redevelopment, all this must be removed and the passages filled with fertile soil.

To figure out how to place the beds on the site and how to close the paths from weeds, you do not have to spend a lot of time. Consider the climatic conditions of the region, the cardinal points, the features of the soil and relief, as well as the developments of famous farmers, and as a result, collect good crops without wasting effort, energy and time for processing.

How to arrange beautiful beds for the lazy, high and smart beds - this is what a gardener needs to know who wants to make his life as independent as possible from garden worries. If you wish, you just need to master the way to design lazy beds, which you can see in the following photos. A bed of this type will allow you to enjoy a well-deserved rest in the country and will not require weeding every time. In addition, it is not only convenient, but also increases the productivity of crops.

Everyone knows how much time and effort should be devoted to each planted crop, which, however, sometimes does not even justify the result: seedlings may not germinate or may not end up with a normal amount of harvest. In this case, you should pay attention to the technology of lazy beds on your site!

Nice and comfortable

The lazy bed is a completely new approach to gardening that will allow seedlings to grow on their own and yield several times more. It is based on the rule that says that it is impossible to dig and weed the earth, except for its preparation and planting itself. Even if constant weeding can remove weeds and fluff up the earth, sooner or later it will dry out and will not be able to provide sufficient moisture for crops.

In this approach, the very preparation for future planting is very important - it is advisable to do this in the fall, when you can collect material for mulching the soil (you need to cover it with straw, sawdust, cones, etc.), which, in turn, will prevent weeds to germinate in an area with such a cover.

1. Install your own irrigation system. It is not necessary to choose the most expensive systems available in stores. In the case of such vegetable gardens, those from which you only need to press a button are quite suitable - and there will be no need to water with your own hands. Watering will allow you to make beautiful beds: green and lush. Also worth noting: watering can be done infrequently, but plentifully, giving the plants the necessary moisture until your next visit.
2. A tool for working in the garden is a guarantee of saving time. Therefore, it is worth choosing one inventory and for many years. It can include not only the usual shovel and buckets, but also various little things that will make your work easier. Also find a place for inventory in advance.
3. At the beginning of the planting season, dig up the ground once, prepare it for future seedlings or seeds. Plant plants and no longer disturb the ground: mulching will do its job and keep weeds out. All that remains for you before the harvest is to water the beds in the country on time.

This is an interesting and effective way that is suitable for both lazy gardeners and experienced, knowledgeable gardeners. A bed of this type will justify the efforts made and can bring a lot of amenities.

High bed as a way to get an intensive harvest

Although this is a very time-consuming process at first - building the frame itself and watering the beds, but it is she who will allow you to forget about the bad climate and low yields.

The high bed is always under the rays of the sun, which contributes to the warming of the earth layer, so it can be planted already in April without fear of freezing, and the lower mesh will prevent the invasion of moles and mice. A not too wide frame (within 150 cm) will allow you to take care of the garden bed on both sides. If you divide it into two strips of 80 cm wide - you can even do it yourself greenhouse by passing the film over both landings. It is worth noting that it is high beds that give the earliest harvest, first of salads, and then of fastidious vegetables. The only problem is more frequent watering, since water does not linger in such soil for a long time.

Despite all the difficulties at the beginning, the landing justifies the efforts invested in it and serves for a long time without bringing much trouble, and the garden bed has a beautiful view.



Digging up a smart bed for fragrant herbs is necessary only once, before planting seedlings. Further, it requires a minimum of attention and care.

Thinking about how best to arrange country furniture, many people forget that the beds on the site in this matter are no less important than other aspects. It depends on the correct design of the beds how attractive and well-groomed the site will be and whether it will be able to please you with its appearance. To create a suitable composition, it is necessary to take into account a number of important factors, each of which is of particular importance. Among them are the shape of the beds, their height, location and much more. Only by paying all your attention to this issue, you can achieve the desired result, which will delight for many years.

Forming and sizing the garden bed

The formation of beds in the country, first of all, requires determining the form. In this matter, everything depends solely on your imagination, since this is your site and it is up to you to decide which beds can surround it. These can be classic stripes, round flower beds or some special shapes that together will create a single composition. It is not at all necessary to adhere to strict forms, dividing the area with squares and rectangles.

On the contrary, the use of irregular shapes allows for a more rational use of free space. For example, you can follow the features of the relief, or even create a shape that repeats an object. The main thing here is not to overdo it, since too much curly beds on the site will create a clutter effect and, rather, will cause negative emotions.

If we talk in more detail about the size of the beds created, then there are also no restrictions. However, it is important to understand that the garden bed is not only a decoration of the site, but also a functional piece of land on which something grows. The plant will need to be looked after, which means you should be able to reach anywhere without much effort. That is why the size of the beds in the garden, as a rule, does not exceed one meter in width. Also, do not forget about the paths, which should be below the beds and provide free access to any site.

Organization of beds: what features should be considered

Despite the complete freedom of action, the organization of beds on the site implies taking into account a number of rules, thanks to which you can significantly facilitate the process of both the formation of these sites and their further use. Such rules include the following:

It is best to arrange the beds from north to south, since in this case the soil will warm up better, which will favorably affect the condition of the plants that will not experience discomfort.

Situations when the site is located on a gentle slope deserve special attention. In this case, many are concerned about the question of how to arrange the beds as efficiently as possible? The best solution would be the location across the slope.

If the slope is too steep, special terraces, also placed across, will help you. In this way, you can protect the soil from being washed away during floods and rains.

Regardless of the shape you choose, do not forget that the bed must be strictly horizontal. In this case, you can avoid the accumulation of excess moisture in any particular place and protect your plants from unnecessary problems.

Owners of small plots should not be upset because they do not have the opportunity to place the desired number of beds. This problem has a simple solution, because you can make multi-level structures and use various tricks. For example, a suspended structure, decorated in a recreation area, will not only allow you to get an additional garden bed, but also give the site additional attractiveness.

Everyone can follow the basic rules. At the same time, you can avoid unnecessary difficulties and create those beds on your site that will satisfy all the available characteristics.

Non-standard conditions: how to avoid mistakes

In addition to classic situations, you can always face the need to arrange a garden bed in a lowland area. How to act in such a situation? There are a huge number of options for designing beds in the country, and such an important issue has not been overlooked. Low-lying areas, as a rule, are characterized by increased dampness, therefore, when designing them, you must follow the following rules:

The beds should be compact. It is best to make small zones measuring a meter by a meter and no more than 30 centimeters high. In this way, you can get a functional flower bed and at the same time protect the soil, which will warm up better and get rid of melting snow faster. In addition, it will be possible to plant crops a couple of weeks ahead of the generally accepted deadline.

The very process of creating such a bed requires a minimum of effort, since it is enough to create a square of the desired shape from the boards, lay it on a flat horizontal surface and cover it with earth, to which the necessary fertilizers are added. Further, it all depends on your imagination. For example, you can beautifully arrange the resulting borders to make the garden bed more attractive.

In addition to lowland areas, raised beds deserve attention - these are beds located on a certain elevation and having sides that prevent spillage.

Every year they become more and more popular. Such popularity is due not only to undoubted aesthetic advantages, but also to practicality, because with the help of a raised bed, you can get a ripe crop earlier.

If you want to build a similar structure on your own site, then special attention should be paid to the question of what the beds are made of in the country and what is the principle of operation. There are several main stages:

• At the chosen place, you need to dig a hole about 40 centimeters deep and put the earth aside.
• In the matter of the size of the beds, it is better to be guided by standard principles and not make the width more than a meter, because otherwise you risk not reaching all the plants placed here.
• A frame is installed along the perimeter of the resulting pit at the height you need up to 50 centimeters. Bricks, beams, stones or anything else can be used as a material for the frame.
• The frame is closed from the inside with a film, and the bottom of the pit is covered with a wire mesh, which will protect you from the appearance of rodents.

• Once the mesh is in place, fill the hole about one-third with some long-decomposing material, whether it be wood shavings, fabrics, or paper. Sprinkle this layer with earth and water thoroughly. Synthetics cannot be used in this case, because then you will not be able to achieve the expected effect.
• Fill the remaining space with soil mixed with all the necessary fertilizers, whether it be special minerals, compost or manure.
• It is also worth leaving fertile soil in reserve, because in a year the land in such a bed will shrink a little and the top layer will require updating.

A plot on a slope almost always seems to potential buyers not the most attractive way to invest.

Naturally, unlike flat territories, it will require additional financial costs for its improvement, and such a prospect will not suit everyone.

Let's try to study in more detail the process of landscaping a site on a slope and consider its most significant stages.

Pros and cons of a site on a slope

According to experts, such, at first glance, complex territories may turn out to be quite a suitable place for building a house, arranging a vegetable garden or a picturesque garden, and all the efforts made will justify themselves as a result of the beauty and originality of the resulting landscape.

Practice shows that it is on inclined areas that it is most convenient to create colorful rock gardens and rockeries, to equip artificial waterfalls, which are built with great difficulty on flat surfaces.

Among the possible problems associated with the improvement of the site on the slope, landscape designers note the openness of the area to the wind and heavy clay soils. All other sides of such a territory are rightfully considered to be advantageous.

Landscaping methods on a slope

For landscaping purposes, a wide range of methods are used, the most common of which are:

- Geoplastics - a method that provides for the artificial formation of relief;

- Terracing - strengthening horizontal ledges of the earth with retaining walls.

In practice, both of these methods are usually combined with each other, which allows you to achieve brilliant results. So, a multi-level plot with artificially created terraces looks much more impressive than even backyard territories - especially if it is equipped not with classic straight lines, but with gracefully curved retaining walls.

The main stages of transformation

Landscaping of the territory going down the slope is carried out in several stages. Previously, experts determine the slope of the site, based on the ratio of its height to the horizontal plane of the base. Further, the territory is marked on the plan, breaking it into separate lanes - the so-called. "platforms-terraces", the dimensions of which make it possible to place a house, outbuildings, a vegetable garden, a garden, a flower garden and other objects in their space.

They unite the disparate space into a single whole with the help of small wide stairs and the already mentioned retaining walls, which not only protect the earth from slipping, but also act as a spectacular decoration of the terraces themselves.

The arrangement of terraces begins from the highest point of the site, gradually moving down the slope. At the same time, the land cut from the upper platforms is transferred down, using it to create terraces of the second and third levels.

Each platform is fixed with retaining walls that prevent soil from sliding and serve as the basis for the underlying terrace. The material for these structures can be:

- massive logs, wooden beams;

- gabions - containers made of durable metal mesh, filled with rubble, large gravel, pebbles, etc.;

- pergons - lattice welded structures with the same filling as that of gabions;

- concrete and decorative slabs.

Small (up to 1 m), vertical walls are usually erected from durable logs, the lower part of which is pre-treated with antiseptics and anti-rot agents. A retaining wall made of wood is installed in the ground to a depth of 45-50 cm, after which it is covered with waterproofing material from the side of the backfill and proceed to the arrangement of the terrace. It is desirable that the slope of the wall varies within 8-10°, which will allow the structure to maintain the ground pressure of the erected site.

In recent years, pergons and gabions are used more and more often in the improvement of sites on the slopes - lattice and wire boxes, the space of which is filled with stone (read more in the article Gabions with your own hands). Such structures not only successfully cope with their primary function - holding the soil on the terraces, but also act as their spectacular decoration.

The areas reinforced with retaining walls made of rubble stone, horizontal beams and wooden saw cuts look original. Another option popular with landscape designers is concrete retaining walls lined with pellet or sandstone. In this case, the method of laying the wall is very interesting, which involves facing with stones, similar to the principle of laying tiles. All stone fragments of such masonry are held together with a mixture of earth, sand and cement.

In the future, in the spaces between the stones, shaving, garden saxifrage and other unpretentious plants that can adequately decorate the landscape will be able to take root.

The advantage of concrete and stone structures is also that, due to their strength characteristics, the height of retaining walls can be increased up to two meters (although many designers do not recommend exceeding the optimal limit of 0.6-1 m).

How to organize a garden on a slope? How to make raised beds

When erecting retaining walls made of stone or concrete, a foundation must first be laid under them, thanks to which the finished structure will gain additional strength and durability.

Another important stage of improvement is the organization of a drainage system that protects the soil from erosion. It is logical that during heavy rains and spring floods, water flows inevitably form on the top of the slope, which, rushing down the terraces, wash out the soil. In addition, the water stagnant behind the retaining walls becomes swampy, which over time can lead to their deformation and destruction. To prevent this from happening, a drainage system is equipped in the walls, one of the following types, namely:

1. Underground drainage.
2. Ground drainage.
3. Filtration holes.

In addition, the terraces are equipped with storm sewers and drainage systems, the projects of which are developed in advance.

In parallel with the construction of retaining walls, staircases made of stone, monolithic concrete or brick are erected on steep slopes. The simplest option is a staircase made of wooden boards or logs, reinforced with stringers - inclined beams, to which risers are nailed.

Choosing Plants for Slope Plots

Already on fully finished terraces, it is recommended to plant trees and shrubs with a wide-spread root system, which will serve as a kind of frame that binds the soil into a single block. So, from large bushes, whose roots are able to "hold" the soil, barberries, terry and semi-double wild roses, euonymus, sods have won the greatest popularity. Of the conifers, cotoneasters, junipers, globular arborvitae and dwarf spruces are perfect.

Do not forget that the process of landscaping a site on a slope requires specific knowledge and skills, so before starting any work, contact the experts for advice and assistance in implementing the tasks.

Beds on a slope made of wood

Slope beds – SADURAD

GARDENER'S HANDBOOK

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The beds on the slope

How to set up a vegetable garden on sloping ground

Growing cultivated plants in horizontally flat beds is, of course, ideal for a gardener. But what to do when the area reserved for landing is sloping? Gardeners are forced to create beds on the slopes of garden plots of various levels of flatness, resorting to various tricks against washing out the fertile soil layer and the subsequent death of cultivated plants.

A site on a slope is not a serious obstacle for growing herbaceous crops. There should be no doubt if your garden located under a ten-degree slope, as this is the permissible limit for landings. Plants planted on the slopes do not experience moisture deficiency, because it is easier to water them: irrigation water flows down faster into the inter-ridges. On garden slopes, many gardeners grow flowers, which is a very good solution.

Terrain irregularities are classified into three types:
Gentle slopes: the distance from the top to the bottom of the site per meter of slope is less than 30 cm.
Slopes of medium slope: the slope of the site is from 25 to 28 degrees.
Steep slopes: the slope of the site exceeds 30 degrees.

If there are ledges on a sloping site, it is necessary to equip a drainage system so that it is possible to divert excess water from precipitation, melt or irrigation.

With an average slope, the site lends itself well to strengthening. To do this, it is enough to sow its entire sloping territory with Moorish lawn, that is, seeds of herbaceous plants with a very branched root system to strengthen the soil and prevent its erosion. Among such plants, meadow fescue, buttercup, daisy, and clover are especially common. For planting improved, more ornamental plants, soil alone is not enough; a geogrid is required, which must be laid in the desired location, covered with soil and planted in cells specially provided for this purpose.

On very steep slopes, it is almost impossible to equip neither beds nor flower beds. Such soil is subject to rapid natural erosion. To save it and make it suitable for growing plants, terracing is required.

Slope beds – SADURAD

But it is not at all necessary to dig out sites in the slopes, but you will have to fill up the soil from the inside of the fences prepared in advance. For herbaceous plants and vegetable crops, wicker fences, for example, from vines or constructed from wooden boards or from slate, are needed, within which earth is poured to level the soil level.

If on the slope you have to organize a whole garden or assemble a greenhouse, then in this case there are some wisdom. Even the steepest mountain slopes can strengthen trees with their strong roots. On a garden plot, it is quite possible to use this property of trees to strengthen the soil around the entire perimeter. Unfortunately, not all decorative types of trees or shrubs can play such a role. If the slope is very steep, you can try to make landscape changes to it.

Wide terraces will be required for planting trees, which are planted on a slope only in specially constructed ledges with a solid stone support under them.

For fencing garden plantings, very durable materials are usually chosen. Most often it is natural stone or brick, fastened with cement. This is done because wooden barriers eventually break through the strong roots of garden trees, and stone or brick is insurmountable for them, which means they will not undergo natural destruction.

The steeper the slope, the wider the terraces, the more garden trees on the ledges, the higher the fences should be built. Trees are planted with strict observance of the distance required by all the rules from one seedling to another. If there are relatively few tree seedlings planned, and the rest of the slope will be filled with a flower garden, then narrow stepped terraces no more than two meters wide will be enough for it.

Some areas are subject to pronounced terrain changes. The owners do not always understand how rationally you can use such a territory. Most often, the slopes are not ennobled and overgrown with weeds, sometimes they are sown with a meadow lawn. Although the soil on the slopes is fertile, and vegetables can be grown on it. The slope can be an alternative solution when increasing the number of planting beds and expanding the usable area of ​​the garden plot. Barriers made of slate help out here, inside which the space is filled with earth. Slate walls are very fragile, so it is not recommended to erect high terraces in order to avoid their destruction. Permissible ledge height - up to 0.5 meters.

Steps are most reliably obtained from wattle, which is the most suitable material for fencing. But it should be regularly maintained in a functional state. To limit not very high ledges along the slope, logs can be laid, unless, of course, the slope is gentle.

Vegetable ridges are best equipped on a slope in the form of steps, regardless of the level of the slope of the site. A vertical garden will turn out on a steep steep slope at a 45-degree slope, if placed on narrow steps with a stone or brick fence. Spicy plants can also be grown on such terraces.

But in any case, no matter how much you want to make the slope of the site the most functional, you should not neglect the rules for seating plants and crops: the distance between them and the path (or stairs) should be no less than the outstretched hand of an adult.

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