Gardening Programs Gives Advice On Raised Gardens

Raised gardens were the topic at the ISU Extension office this past week.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Warm weather at the end of January has some people thinking about what they want to plant this year in their gardens.

For some, a disability, age, or limited space can play an impact on your ability to garden. Linda Goode of Bussey shared some of her raised garden experiences with a group of over a dozen gardening enthusiasts this past week at the ISU Extension office.

The raised beds make maintaining a garden easier for many, and those in wheelchairs can utilize garden designs allowing them easier access.

Goode said that she started using small space gardening techniques when she didn’t have the room for a traditional garden. Goode asked herself, “what can I do in this space.”

A friend suggested raised beds to her for her garden. “It’s changed the way I do gardening,” added Goode.

Maintaining the garden is easier due to the garden being closer, easing the pain of bending over, and other maintenance tasks associated with gardening.

It’s also more efficient to fertilize and water. “All of your water goes to the plants since you don’t have rows in-between,” said Goode.

Most all traditional garden plants can be grown in raised bed gardens, with exceptions like sweet corn that have extensive root systems.

Trellis systems at the end of the beds allow for vining plants to grow, even smaller melons will work in that situation.

You can learn more about this gardening technique and much more from the Mahaska County Master Gardners who meet at the ISU Extension Office in Oskaloosa.