Smart beds: types and how to make a garden for the lazy with your own hands, mistakes

Growing fruit plants takes a lot of time and effort from the gardener, and weekends spent in the country become working days, as each crop needs agrotechnical care. And, even despite the constant watering, loosening, fertilizing, there is no guarantee that the summer resident will collect the amount of fruit he expected. Using smart beds not only reduces labor costs, but also increases the yield.

What is a smart garden and how is it different from a regular one

To decide on the creation of smart beds in your backyard, you should first figure out what it is and how such a garden differs from the usual one. Such an arrangement of the garden allows you to harvest a rich harvest with minimal waste of labor and time.

The complex for arranging smart beds includes the following procedures:

• special technologies for growing crops in high beds;
• proper planting planning;
• use of covering material;
• laying organic mulch;
• regular crop rotation;
• using drip irrigation plants.

All this in the complex is a smart garden. Such a territory differs from the usual personal plot in that seeds and seedlings are planted on raised or high beds, in which favorable conditions are created for the subsequent cultivation of crops.

The arrangement of such a miracle garden in the country begins with the planning of the site. They have beds for growing, focusing on the illumination of the territory, because without a sufficient amount of sunlight it will not be possible to grow strong and he althy plants.After that, they are engaged in laying water pipes that will be used to irrigate crops, and only then they begin to equip the beds themselves.

Pros and cons

Summer residents who grow vegetables for more than one season using smart beds identified a number of advantages of this method of growing crops.

Pros of high beds:

• increased yield with low labor input;
• the ability to make several beds with different soil composition, matched to the needs of a particular crop;
• speed of warming up the earth with the advent of spring, which allows for early sowing of seeds and, accordingly, increase the rate of fruit ripening;
• absence of sharp fluctuations in soil temperatures, which has a beneficial effect on the development of plants;
• the ability to keep the mulch layer longer, thanks to the sides it is not carried by the wind;
• reducing the area that needs to be dug up and then weeded out;
• the presence of good drainage, which prevents rotting of the root system;
• no need to bend down low when caring for crops;
• the possibility of organizing a high bed in any area with good lighting, even where the ground is rocky;
• aesthetic view of the infield;
• easier work when weeding paths between beds, some gardeners simply fill them with fine gravel.

However, in addition to the advantages, this method of farming has some disadvantages. The main disadvantage of beds made according to the mind is the rapid drying of the earth in the boxes. To solve this problem, experienced gardeners recommend not equipping the beds in places that are too elevated and on the south side of the site. You can partially prevent the soil from drying out with a layer of mulch.

If there is an opportunity and appropriate resources, equip drip irrigation, then the soil will remain wet for a long time, and the summer resident will not have to spend a lot of time irrigating the plants.

The following points are also considered disadvantages of raised beds:

• probability of cold-loving crops shooting due to ground overheating;
• the need for frequent application of mineral and organic fertilizers due to limited space;
• significant material and physical costs for the creation of such a garden;
• high risk of rapid multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms that have penetrated the soil.

After weighing all the advantages and disadvantages, they decide on the appropriateness of arranging smart beds.

Types and sizes of lazy beds

Before creating such a garden, you should study the types of smart beds and their optimal sizes.

Box

A box knocked down from processed boards can be of any length, it depends on the size of the plot and what the gardener plans to plant. But the width is a very important parameter, it is necessary to calculate it so that it is convenient to care for crops. As a rule, they make sure that there are no more than two rows of plants in one box. Approximate dimensions: length - from 2 to 5 m, width - from 90 to 120 cm.

Containers

When planning to grow crops in containers, you need to pay attention that the size of the container must correspond to the volume of the root system of the plant.They use plastic pots, old tin baths, wooden boxes for planting. Experienced gardeners recommend giving preference to containers made of clay and wood (natural materials), as they do not emit harmful substances when heated, which can penetrate fruit crops.

If plants with a large root system are planted, the width and height of the container should be at least 25-30 cm, for crops with compact roots, pots with dimensions of 20x20 are suitable.

Barrel beds

The beds, equipped in barrels, save space on the plot and make it easier to care for plants. Most often, cucumbers are grown in such containers. Metal barrels with a volume of 200 liters are used for sowing seeds. As soon as the snow melts, they are installed in a sunny place and organic residues are poured into them - vegetable peelings, mowed grass, wait a few days until the mass settles.This procedure is carried out several times.

In mid-May, fertile soil is covered with a layer of 15 cm and seeds of cucumbers are sown, watered. About 10 seeds are planted on one container so that the distance between them is about 15 cm.

Bags

In this case, high-density plastic bags are purchased, such beds are used for planting strawberry bushes. Also, to create beds, products from burlap or from any dense fabric are used. The latter option has undeniable advantages over polyethylene - such bags have a high throughput, and plants feel more comfortable in them.

After acquiring the containers, they are filled with nutrient soil and cuts 15 cm long are made, into which strawberry bushes are then planted. Bags can be arranged in rows, or in a checkerboard pattern. This method allows you to collect clean berries.

Ditches and trenches

The trench method is used to grow potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers. The length of such ditches is arbitrary and depends on the size of the site. Depth and width of trenches - from 35 to 40 cm. This method of cultivation of crops allows you to harvest 30-40 days earlier.

Vertical

Such beds are created from plastic pipes, bags, ceramic and plastic pots, as well as from construction mesh and old car tires. Their height varies from 100 to 200 cm.

Location

When planning the location of smart beds, you need to remember that most plants need good lighting, in the shade the number of fruit sets is reduced. Areas that have shade during the day should be set aside for ornamental crops or a recreation area.In addition, it is necessary to take into account the degree of moisture-loving plants; the more watering is needed, the closer the bed is to the source of water.

In order for the entire area of planted plants to bear fruit, the beds are located strictly from north to south.

Handmade

To make smart beds with your own hands, you will need a tool and time.

Bed-box

Before you start creating a bed of wood, the material must be prepared with the help of special impregnations, in this case, the life of the structure is extended.

The further work order is as follows:

1. Attach the support bars to the boards, the length of the bar is selected taking into account the fact that it will be driven into the ground by 20-25 cm.
2. Knock down the box, paying attention that there are no gaps between the boards.
3. Install the finished structure in the selected place and drive it into the ground, using the level to check the horizontal position.

Drainage beds

Such beds are installed in areas with marshy soil, so that excessive moisture does not lead to rotting of the root system of plants. Work begins by removing the soil by 50-60 cm and laying a 20 cm layer of sand on the bottom of the trench. After that, there is a layer of sawdust, humus and fertile soil. As a result of this, good gas exchange and removal of excess fluid occur in the beds. Drainage options are well suited for growing root crops.

High

High beds are traditionally used for growing gourds. To do this, prepare boxes or other containers that are installed on legs at least 30-40 cm high. You can use not only wood, but also metal, but in this case you will need corrosion protection.

First, make a box for planting, using a hammer and planer or welding, and then attach the legs to the box. When installing, the legs are slightly buried in the ground so that the bed is stable.

Vertical structures

Vertical options are often made from plastic pipes. The step-by-step instruction is as follows:

1. Prepare 2 pipes - wide and narrow, which is slightly longer.
2. In the last 2/3 of the length, many small holes are made through which water will flow to the plants.
3. Holes are made in the same way, but already with a diameter of 20 cm, in a wide pipe.
4. Insert one into the other, gravel is poured on the bottom to give stability, and then - fertile soil. Plants are planted in large holes.

Warm beds

To create a warm structure, they dig a trench 40 cm deep. After that, 3 layers of organic matter are laid:

• first - paper, chopped stems and branches;
• second - rotten vegetables, sawdust, turf, tops;
• third - fallen leaves and grass.

Fertile soil is poured on top and plants are planted.

Selection of plants and planting technique

You can plant several different plants on one bed, which will save space on the site. For example, in one box or trench they coexist well: cabbage with dill and tomato, carrots with onions and peas, and legumes with potatoes.

When planting, pay attention that taller plants are in the background and do not create a shadow for short ones.

Typical mistakes

First-time smart gardeners make common mistakes:

• the beds are placed incorrectly;
• use the wrong material;
• rarely water plants;
• neglect fertilization.

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