We decided to build raised beds to grow our roses in, our back yard gets lots of sun all summer long. We made the decision because I had read so much about the benefits of gardening in a raised bed: it's easier to keep weeded and mulched - less stooping and straining; the soil warms up earlier in the spring; the depth of the well drained soil is greater then most garden plots, so plant roots can spread easily; raised beds lend themselves well to organic gardening techniques including intensive planting, since you don't need to leave large rows to move around in.

We also decided to try layered gardening in these raised beds. You build up the beds to a height of 18-24 inches with layering materials. We started off by marking out our plot, which will be a 4' by 24' space.

Here's the layering system we used.

line the bottom of your marked off plot with thick pads of wet newspapers

add 3-4" peat moss

on top of the peat add 3-4" chopped leaves, grass clipping, other yard waste

Add 3-4" manure

add 3-4" compost

add 2-3" peat moss

Add 4-6" top soil

add 3-4" mulch

When using this formula there is no need to till or turn over the garden soil. Just start with your newspapers and place them right on top of your sod.

April 2001

The boards will be removed and fencing will be put on the outside and stone on the inside, as time and money permits.

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This is our progress as of the end of July, it's coming along slowly but surely.

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I'll keep you posted on our progress and how well the beds did.

Stay Tuned