Simple Mosquito-Deterring Vegetation for Your Garden
Garden with Ease: Choosing and Using Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds
Gardening enthusiasts will be delighted to know that natural cedar raised garden beds offer a robust and eco-friendly solution for their gardening needs. In an article published on April 28, 2018, written by Greg Seaman, several gardening products made from natural cedar, including VegTrug Raised Garden Planter, Natural Cedar Planter Boxes, Farmstead Raised Garden Bed, and Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds, were highlighted.
The Benefits of Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds
The durability and longevity of cedar make it an ideal choice for outdoor gardening. Cedar's natural oils protect it from moisture, fungal decay, and insects, ensuring it lasts much longer than many other woods like pine[1][2][4]. Untreated cedar can easily last many years outdoors, often three times longer than untreated pine.
Moreover, the strong natural oils in cedar eliminate the need for chemical treatments, reducing the risk of chemicals leaching into the soil and plants, which is especially important for vegetable gardening[1][2][4].
Raised beds made from natural cedar offer several advantages. They improve soil drainage, reduce weed growth, and increase ease of soil quality control. They also conserve water and make fertilization more efficient[2][3]. Furthermore, raised beds reduce the need to bend or kneel, making planting and harvesting easier and more accessible, including for those with limited mobility[2][3].
Best Practices for Using Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds
To reap the full benefits of natural cedar raised garden beds, it is essential to follow some best practices.
Firstly, use rough-sawn, untreated cedar to avoid harmful chemicals in your garden soil, especially for edible plants[2][4].
Secondly, use sturdy hardware such as screws and rust-proof steel rods designed to securely hold the wood without loosening over time[1][2].
Thirdly, beds around 4 feet wide provide easy access to the entire bed without stepping inside and compacting soil; length can vary with space but common sizes are 4x8 feet[2].
Fourthly, lay a weed barrier such as a black plastic sheet underneath the bed to prevent weed growth and pest access[3].
Lastly, consider applying eco-friendly wood treatments like Eco Wood Treatment, which penetrate the wood fibers, increase moisture resistance, and develop an attractive aged patina[1].
In summary, natural cedar is preferred for raised garden beds due to its long-lasting, rot-resistant, and chemical-free properties that benefit plant health and gardener convenience. Building and maintaining beds with untreated cedar, proper assembly, soil preparation, and optional eco-friendly treatments maximize these advantages.
The article also mentions other gardening products such as VegTrug Raised Garden Planter, Natural Cedar Planter Boxes, Mosquito Dunks, Wooden Bat House, and Farmstead Raised Garden Bed. These products are available for purchase, offering a variety of options for gardening enthusiasts. The Wooden Bat House, for instance, serves as a bat habitat designed to attract bats for insect control, while Mosquito Dunks are a biological pesticide used to control mosquito larvae. The VegTrug Raised Garden Planter is a compact and versatile gardening solution, and the Farmstead Raised Garden Bed is a raised garden bed with a modern design.
References:
- The Truth About Cedar Wood: Is It Really Rot-Resistant?
- Why Choose a Raised Garden Bed?
- How to Build a Raised Garden Bed
- Cedar vs. Pressure-Treated Wood: Which is Better for Your Garden?
Adopting a sustainable lifestyle, one can incorporate natural cedar raised garden beds into their home-and-garden, promoting a healthier and eco-friendly living. Given the durability and long lifespan of cedar, these beds not only improve soil drainage, reduce weed growth, and conserve water but also provide an ideal solution for vegetable gardening, as the natural oils in cedar eliminate the need for chemical treatments.
