Do I Have to Make Mounds in the Dirt to Plant Vegetables?

Deep Beds

• Garden experts suggest growing vegetables in beds with at least 18 inches of loosened soil. This can be achieved by raising soil in mounds, which can be supported within a frame or shaped with sloping sides. A raised bed has deep, aerated soil to improve soil structure and drainage. Avoid stepping on the mounds to prevent compacting. Deep, raised beds provide the extra root space that helps vegetables grow large.

Root Space

• If vegetable roots are given the chance, they will grow with surprising vigor. A carrot root, for example, can extend as much as 1½ feet outward and 3 feet down. To provide the extra space for this growth, gardeners can either build mounds as described below or dig down deep to break up the layer beneath the topsoil. Digging deep in the soil can be exhausting work but has the added benefit of incorporating subsoil, where additional nutrients are available.

Building Mounds

• Once soil is prepared for planting, construct mounds by piling surrounding topsoil onto intended growing space. If there is not sufficient soil for piling, import soil from elsewhere. Mounds should be 6 to 8 inches high. Even just a few inches of extra root space can significantly boost vegetable growth. The areas from which topsoil is taken can serve as walkways between mounds. Rake the top of the mound smooth and work in compost and other soil amendments. A slightly sloping side will help maintain the mound's shape.

What to Grow

• Vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers are well-suited for raised bed or mound gardens. But crops such as corn prefer a strong anchor and are best grown in level beds instead of raised mounds. Sprawling, large vegetables like pumpkins and watermelon are also best in a traditional garden system rather than mounds. When growing vegetables in mounds, pay close attention to watering and irrigation, as soil drains quickly.