Tips On Building Your Garden The Right Way

The first step in building your garden is to decide where you want it and how big you want it to be. Proper drainage is a must, so in many places it is wise to build a box or two by six planks to contain the garden. You will need to put three or four inches of gravel in the bottom covered by one inch of sand. Level all this out and then it is time for the top soil. The top soil should be mixed with either compost, purchased fertilizer or manure and what other amendments are deemed necessary after having the soil tested. If the soil is too acidic, lime should be added. If it is too alkaline, aluminum sulfate will help it. All the top soil and the amendments should be thoroughly mixed before putting it into the garden. It should cover the gravel and sand with about 12 inches of topsoil as many roots grow that deep.

A compost heap should be constructed near the garden. It should not be placed in the shade or a damp place. All garden waste and much household waste can go into it. Do not put meat or grease into the mixture.

Many gardens begin to rot before they even start producing vegetables. If there is water standing in a spot, you may need to dig a trench to drain it off. Another solution is to just not turn the sprinkler on quite so much. The gravel at the bottom of the garden should take care of most of the extra water unless you have built the garden in a lowered position.