Many plants growing in Northern climates prefer cooler evenings, withstand mild frosts and do not do well in hot conditions. These are the plants that belong in raised rows.
The picture above shows raised beds that are about a meter wide. These allow walk ways, level bed tops that make harvesting easier and focus rich soils required for plant growth.
If you do not have raised beds I recommend you begin this process in the early fall. Start by finding the sunniest location possible. When setting out raised rows first stake out the best place to put a garden. Once you have determined where your raised beds will be located, cover the area with a layer of organic litter such as straw or leaves then lay a black plastic tarp over this area and secure in place. By spring, much of the grass and other plants will have been killed.
In the spring, you will need to add organic materials to your raised beds such as compost or topsoil. I would discourage using the soil at ground level to make the raised beds. When you utilize the existing soil to make raised row beds the whole garden level is lowered causing water and frost drainage problems.
Place half meter wide rows of straw of leaves where the paths between the raised beds will be located. Then place the compost/ topsoil for the beds between the straw rows. Level the raised beds ( these should about 20 cm higher than the walk ways.
Try not to step on the raised beds once they have been established, stay on the straw path. This allows maximum root development and moisture retention. Once the beds have been planted (plant from both sides) and plants have sprouted, mulch the area around the plants. In colder dry climates, moisture loss needs to be considered and mulching helps retain considerable moisture by reducing evaporation.
If you do not have raised beds I recommend you begin this process in the early fall. Start by finding the sunniest location possible. When setting out raised rows first stake out the best place to put a garden. Once you have determined where your raised beds will be located, cover the area with a layer of organic litter such as straw or leaves then lay a black plastic tarp over this area and secure in place. By spring, much of the grass and other plants will have been killed.
In the spring, you will need to add organic materials to your raised beds such as compost or topsoil. I would discourage using the soil at ground level to make the raised beds. When you utilize the existing soil to make raised row beds the whole garden level is lowered causing water and frost drainage problems.
Place half meter wide rows of straw of leaves where the paths between the raised beds will be located. Then place the compost/ topsoil for the beds between the straw rows. Level the raised beds ( these should about 20 cm higher than the walk ways.
Try not to step on the raised beds once they have been established, stay on the straw path. This allows maximum root development and moisture retention. Once the beds have been planted (plant from both sides) and plants have sprouted, mulch the area around the plants. In colder dry climates, moisture loss needs to be considered and mulching helps retain considerable moisture by reducing evaporation.