Easy Ways to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden

Maintaining a raised bed garden is relatively easy and it can also be a rewarding experience. Today I’m sharing what I have found to be some easy ways to maintain a raised bed garden.

Earlier in the spring, I shared Simple Tips for Starting a Raised Bed Garden. Our family started a garden at my youngest son’s home. He recently bought a home that already had five raised beds. Lucky! It’s been such a fun project and we are all reaping the rewards! By that, I mean the veggies, and herbs are amazing!

The tips below are easy ways that we have found help keep our garden healthy and in good shape.

Easy Ways to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden - Zachary

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Tips to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden

Watering

This seems like the obvious, right? However, raised bed gardens tend to drain water more efficiently than a traditional garden, so it’s important to water them regularly. Sticking your fingers down into the soil is a good judge of the water that is needed. The best time to water is in the early morning or evening. If you water in the heat of the day, the water will evaporate more quickly.

As the garden grows and the leaves of your plants get big, it’s important to make sure you are watering the base of the plants. Otherwise, the water will just deflect off the large leaves.

Controlling Weeds

I think this is the hardest part about gardening! If you don’t keep control of the weeds they will definitely take over your garden. The weeds will also compete for the water and nutrients meant for your crops. In a raised bed, hand pulling is usually sufficient. If you have a large number of raised beds, there are hand tools you can purchase to make the job go quicker.

Another option is mulching your raised beds. Mulch can be beneficial as a weed barrier and it can also help to retain moisture by reducing the amount of evaporation. Straw, wood chips, or grass clippings are excellent organic options.

Easy Ways to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden - zucchini

“When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.” – Minnie Aumonier

Monitor for Disease & Pest Control

It’s important to keep an eye on your plants for signs of change. Things like wilting, discoloration, or unusual growth will be obvious to you. Once you figure out what the problem is, make sure you take proper actions to combat it.

You need to be careful what you use on your garden. There are some natural and organic items that you may think are safe for your herbs and vegetables, but are actually toxic. You MUST read the labels to ensure it is appropriate to use on your specific plants.

Unfortunately, we had a big earwig problem in one of our beds. I’m so grateful it was only in one bed. The good news is we were able to catch it in time and save all the vegtables in that raised bed.

The yellowing tomato plant in this photo was one that grew from cherry tomato seeds planted by the previous home owner. We transplanted it and are hopeful it will survive!

Support Larger Plants

Some vegetable plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or beans, tend to grow tall or vine-like. Supporting larger garden plants is essential to prevent them from spreading on the ground. It also helps to improve air circulation, and create the most space in your garden. Below are some common ways to support your larger garden plants.

Staking: Use stakes made of wood, bamboo, or metal to support tall and heavy plants. Drive the stakes into the ground near the base of the plant and gently tie the main stem to the stake using soft plant ties or twine. My favorite is a velcro plant tie. Reminder, as the plant grows, you may need to adjust the ties so the plants do not become constricted.
Using a Trellis: Trellises are great for vining plants like cucumbers, peas, beans, and certain types of squash. You can use pre-made trellises or construct your own using wooden or metal posts and a lattice-like structure. Guide the vines to climb the trellis as they grow, using gentle ties if necessary.
Cages: For tomatoes or larger pepper plants, you can use wire or metal cages specifically designed for this purpose. Just place the cages around your plants when they are relatively small. The plant will grow into and through the cage as it gets bigger. Cages are a great investment, as you can use them year after year.
A-frame support: An A-frame structure made from wood, bamboo or metal can be used to support plants, such as beans. I planted my bean plants on the outside of my bamboo frame and trained them to grow up the frame.

Easy Ways to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden - Bean teepee

Keep a Garden Journal

Have you ever heard of a garden journal? A garden journal is a wonderful tool used to keep track of the important information, things that you observe, and experiences related to your garden. This record-keeping will help you plan, organize, and learn from your gardening ventures!

It doesn’t have to be an official journal. If you have an extra notebook in your home, and you want to save the cash, the notebook will work just fine!

“The garden is a love song, a duet between a human being and Mother Nature.” — Jeff Cox

Maintain & Harvest Your Plants

It’s important to remove dead or diseased foilage. Also, harvest your vegetables and herbs as soon as they are ready. Harvesting promptly also reduces the risk of attracting pests and diseases. Maintaining your garden plants will encourage continued growth and will prevent any overcrowding in your raised beds. Harvesting promptly also reduces the risk of attracting pests and diseases.

Make sure you use the proper techinque for the various crops your growing.

Leafy greens: Harvest the outer leaves by cutting them off close to the base. You should allow the leaves in the center to continue growing.
Tomatoes: When your tomatoes are fully colored and slightly firm, gently twist them off the vine. It’s best to leave a small portion of the stem attached to the fruit.
Root vegetables: First, make sure the soil is loose around the roots. You can accomplish this with a shovel or something similar to a fork. Once loose, carefully lift them out of the ground. Trim off the foliage, leaving a small portion of the tops together make them easier to handle.
Cucumbers, zucchini, and squash: If they are ready to be picked they will twist easily off the vine. If you have trouble, cut the fruit from the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears.
Herbs: Harvest herbs by snipping off individual leaves or small branches as needed. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time. Doing so will ensure continued growth.