Planting Systems

Raised Bed Planting

• Raised-bed planting systems are elevated off the ground, making the plants easier for gardeners with disabilities to access. They are commonly used in areas with poor soil; the bed is filled in with topsoil and organic compost. Although some regular maintenance is still necessary, importing clean soil helps to reduce the occurrence of weeds in the garden. Try a single raised bed, or build multiple tiers to extend the planting area upward, a planting solution that works particularly well in small spaces. The raised bed can be bordered with a variety of different materials, such as metal, stone or landscaping timbers. A layer of sand or gravel should be added to the base of each level to provide proper drainage for the plants.

No-dig Planting

• No-dig planting is a method commonly used in organic gardens and is similar to traditional planting and raised-bed planting methods. No-dig planting minimizes the amount of work needed to tend a garden, which also reduces disruption of the soil. Till the soil to remove grass and weeds, or simply start the garden on top of the grass and weeds, allowing them to decay over time. Build up the garden with layers of organic material that will eventually decompose. Start with a newspaper layer of five to 20 pages thick; alternatively, use cardboard, wrapping paper or paper sacks. Build a border around the garden and fill it in with layers of lucerne hay, organic fertilizer, loose straw and top off with soil and compost.

Alley Cropping

• Alley cropping utilizes as much growing space as possible. Farmers grow rows of crops between rows of trees and shrubs in order to reduce erosion and surface water runoff. Put this planting system to work in your home garden; plant vegetables between rows of trees, shrubs or hedges. Take note of the size of the tree or shrub canopy and plant crops that receive the amount of sunlight provided through the canopy. Trim the trees or shrubs as they grow, or rotate the crop each season, choosing one that requires less sunlight than the crops in previous seasons. Not all woody plant species and crops are compatible, but your local agriculture extension agent can help you choose the best crops to grow in your alleys.

Permaculture

• Permaculture is a self-sustaining, ecologically-driven planting system that takes sun location, wind direction and soil type into account to optimize plant growth in small areas. A permaculture garden is carefully planned to make use of every available space and resource. No-dig planting is common in permaculture gardens because they require no tilling or digging, which reduces the strain on the soil. Another example is a raised spiral garden, in which crops are planted in a descending spiral so that the garden drains from the top to the bottom and little water is wasted. Rain-collection barrels that minimize water waste are essential to permaculture. Mulching is used to retain moisture in the soil. Food scraps and plant waste are composted to provide nutrients to the permaculture garden.