Raised Bed for Herbs.

Similar.

I am lucky enough to get a raised bed for herbs to plant this summer.  I am currently planning this raised bed.  I’ll be honest – I am primarily a wildcrafter.  Not a gardener.  This process of a raised bed for is a learning experience for me.

It would have been great if I had known that I would have this bed in the fall.  Some steps are more convenient when done in the fall i.e. I could put down cardboard to smother weeds.

Beginnings.

Assess the Light.

I’ve been watching this bed and looking at its orientation to the sun.  It will receive more than 8 hours of sunlight per day.  I am assessing it both for east/west orientation and north/south orientation.  East/west to track the movement of the sun and north/south to keep plants that will be taller on the north side of the garden so that they will not shade plants on the south side of the garden.

Test the soil.

This bed had a few plants growing in it last season, but they were volunteering, and I don’t know the quality of soil.  Fertilizers deal with 3 specific nutrients for soil – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  With a soil test I can determine what the soil needs for fertility.  If the soil needs nitrogen, I can buy a high nitrogen fertilizer.  I can check the pH level.  Correct acidity of the soil means plants thrive.  Experts suggest soil testing your garden every 3 to 5 years.  I can test this growing season and I won’t have to do it again for several years.

Size. 

Ideally a raised bed is 4 feet by 8 feet.  Correct size allows you to access all the plants from the perimeter.  There is no stepping on the soil.  When you step on the soil you compact it – destroying soil structure.  Unfortunately, this raised bed butts up against a building.  No access on that side.  This bed is also longer than 8 feet.  Plants dead centre will be hard to access.  I want to keep in mind that the building will also be getting 8 hours of sunlight a day.  It is dark brick and will radiate heat onto the garden long after the sun has passed.

Zone. 

As a result of climate change zone is less valuable information then it used to be.  Ottawa is zone 5a and 5b.  These are plant hardiness zones.  Any plant has a range of zones where it will thrive, however, much like I need oxygen to thrive plants need certain conditions.  Plants that love southern New Mexico (zone 9b) will be unhappy in Ottawa.  An experienced gardener can massage the zones – row covers, starting seedlings inside, and etc.  I can use the fact the building will radiate heat to plant herbs that long for heat at the rear of the garden.  I can grow plants as annuals that are perennials elsewhere.

What to Plant.

My imagination is going wild.  I can fill this raised bed with almost anything I want.  It is a finite space though.  I see a rough wood tripod on the north side with passionflower twisting up it.  Other than that, I’m still dreaming.

I know I will have to top-dress the soil.  Dig in a lot of compost.  Worms.

Local for supplies – Ritchie Feed and Seed.

Ontario for supplies – Richters Herbs.  It’s a 4-hour drive one way from Ottawa to Goodwood.  Ask me how I know.  100 % worth it though.

For true gardening wisdom – Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton