Maintaining a Raised Bed Garden

Maintenance

Maintaining a raised bed garden involves weeding, irrigating when needed, replacing decomposed mulch, and pruning and removing spent plants. Here are some guidelines for keeping your garden looking its best.

1. Irrigate the bed when needed, letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. If the plant species are complementary, their water requirements will be similar.
2. Keep 3 to 4 inches of mulch on the bed. The mulch should be appropriate to the region, perhaps pine straw or wood chips in East Texas and stone or gravel in West Texas.
3. Add compost or top-dress with organic mulches twice each year in the spring and fall. This replenishes the soil and acts as a slow release fertilizer. Simply rake back the mulch, add the compost, and replace the mulch or add new mulch over the old. Or, add an inorganic slow release fertilizer before and during active plant growth.
4. Prune each plant properly according to its use and the intended design.
5. Control insect pests and diseases. You can reduce the need for chemical treatments by practicing integrated pest management: start with good quality plants; handle plants carefully before and during planting; select plants that are adapted to your region.

A properly designed, constructed and maintained raised bed will be a lasting source of beauty in your landscape.