Jasmine flowers are known for their sweet, exotic fragrance and delicate white petals These flowers are highly symbolic in Indian culture and commonly used in weddings, religious ceremonies, and other celebrations. If you’re looking to purchase fresh jasmine flowers for a special occasion or just to brighten up your home, it’s nice to know you can find these gorgeous blooms right in your local area.
A raised bed garden allows you to grow fruits vegetables flowers and herbs with ease. Expert Gardener ground level raised beds are the perfect solution for creating a thriving garden right in your own backyard. With their convenient design and durable construction, these raised garden beds enable gardeners of all skill levels to enjoy the benefits of raised bed gardening.
What is a Raised Bed Garden?
A raised bed garden refers to a planting bed that sits above the ground rather than directly in the soil. The bed is contained within a frame made of wood, stone, brick or other materials to create a defined space for growing plants. Raised beds are typically filled with a potting mix or premium soil blend that provides ideal drainage and nutrition for plant roots.
There are many advantages to using raised beds
- Improved drainage and aeration since roots are not compacted by surrounding soil
- Earlier planting and extended growing season due to warmer soil
- Less bending for weeding and tending plants at waist height
- Keep plants tidier by containing growth within bed area
- Prevent soil compaction from foot traffic
Raised beds enable gardeners to have better control over the soil environment for optimal plant growth.
Benefits of Expert Gardener Ground Level Raised Beds
Expert Gardener offers a versatile line of ground level raised bed kits that make it simple to start and maintain a productive garden bed Here are some of the key benefits these raised garden beds provide
Convenient Height
Expert Gardener raised beds sit directly on the ground rather than being elevated on legs. This brings the bed height to around 10-12 inches tall, which is an ideal and comfortable gardening height for most gardeners. You can easily reach into the center of the bed without excessive bending or stretching.
Easy Assembly
All Expert Gardener raised beds come with clear instructions for quick and easy assembly. The kits include precut lumber pieces that interlock using metal brackets at the corners. Everything you need for assembly is included – just have a screwdriver on hand. No advanced carpentry skills required!
Durable Construction
Expert Gardener raised beds are built to last using high quality cedar, redwood or pine lumber. These weather-resistant woods will maintain their structure through years of gardening. With proper care, your raised bed could last over a decade!
Customizable Size
Expert Gardener offers raised beds in a range of dimensions to suit your space. Choose from 3×3, 3×6, 3×9, 3×12, 4×4, 4×8, 4×10 and more feet options. You can also arrange multiple beds together in any layout you desire.
Organic Materials
The lumber used for Expert Gardener raised beds is untreated, so it’s safe to grow edible plants. No chemicals will leech into the surrounding soil or plants. The cedar and redwood options naturally resist decay and insects too.
Attractive Appearance
The beautiful wood construction of Expert Gardener raised beds gives them a decorative look as well as functionality. The rich cedar and redwood tones provide visual interest and complement any yard or garden.
Affordable Cost
For the quality provided, Expert Gardener raised beds are very reasonably priced. The 3×3 and 3×6 sizes are quite budget-friendly to get started. Expand your growing area over time by adding more beds!
Choosing the Right Raised Bed Size
Expert Gardener offers ground level raised beds ranging from 3×3 feet up to 4×10 feet and larger. Here are some size considerations as you select the best bed dimensions for your needs:
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3×3 or 3×6 feet – Perfect starter sizes that can fit on a patio or balcony. Provide enough space for a small garden or to try out raised bed gardening.
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3×9 or 3×12 feet – Offer more substantial growing room for families interested in gardening. Allows you to grow a good variety of crops.
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4×4 or 4×8 feet – Ideal for larger yields to feed a family. Grow herbs, salad greens, carrots, beans and much more.
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4×10 feet – Expansive growing area for avid gardeners. Grow all your favorite flowers, vegetables and herbs with room to spare.
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Multiple smaller beds – Can be arranged creatively to suit garden layout needs. Allows you to dedicate beds to specific plants.
When determining the right size, consider what you want to grow and how much harvesting and maintenance you’re willing to manage. Bigger is not always better for new gardeners! Start with a 3×3 or 3×6 bed while you’re learning.
Positioning Your Raised Beds
One of the great aspects of raised bed gardening is flexibility. The beds are freestanding containers, so they can be installed wherever conditions make sense on your property. Ideal positioning includes:
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Full Sun Exposure – Most edible and flowering plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Be sure to situate your raised beds in unshaded areas.
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Nearby Water Source – Locate beds close to a spigot or hose for convenient watering access. Carrying water long distances is tedious.
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Level Ground – Choose a level spot on your property for maximum stability. Avoid sloped areas which could cause the bed to shift.
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Accessible Location – Position the raised beds near your house or patio for handy access. You’ll enjoy the garden more when it’s readily available.
Take note of sunlight patterns, utilities and foot traffic flows as you determine the best placement on your land. And remember raised beds can always be moved later if needed!
Filling Your Raised Garden Beds
An important step after assembling your Expert Gardener raised bed is filling it properly for healthy plant growth. Here are some tips:
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Loosening the existing soil beneath the bed allows for better drainage before filling.
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Fill the bed with a high-quality growing medium designed for optimal aeration and moisture retention. This might be a blended organic potting mix, a vegetable garden soil or homemade compost and topsoil.
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Don’t use pure topsoil which can compress and limit oxygen circulation to plant roots. Blend in compost or organic material for a lighter texture.
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Fill to about an inch from the top of the raised bed frame, allowing a little space at the rim.
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Water thoroughly after filling to help settle the soil. Let it soak in before planting.
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Add balanced organic fertilizer or compost a couple weeks before sowing seeds or transplanting garden starts.
Taking the time to properly fill and prepare your raised bed results in fertile, friable soil ready for cultivating bountiful plants.
The Best Plants for Raised Garden Beds
One of the joys of gardening is choosing which plants to include! Raised beds lend themselves well to growing most types of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Some top options include:
Vegetables:
- Leafy greens – Lettuce, spinach, kale, chard
- Root crops – Carrots, radishes, beets, turnips
- Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peas
- Beans, broccoli, onions, garlic
Herbs:
- Basil, oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, cilantro, parsley, chives
Flowers:
- Petunias, marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, snapdragons, sunflowers
Raised beds help prevent soil-borne diseases, allow for more intensive planting, retain moisture well and generally produce higher yields in a small space. Get creative with intermixing flowers, herbs and vegetables to make the most of your garden!
Caring for Your Raised Bed Garden
Installing beautiful raised garden beds is only the beginning. Keep your beds looking their best and producing plentiful crops with proper care and maintenance. Here are some raised bed gardening tips:
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Water beds regularly to maintain moist (but not soaked) soil. Hand watering is often needed rather than just relying on rain.
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Weed inside the beds weekly or biweekly to prevent competition with crops. Weeds are easy to pull in loose raised bed soil.
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Use organic mulch such as shredded leaves or wood chips to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Maintain a 2-3 inch mulch layer.
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Fertilize organically with compost or fish emulsion every 3-4 weeks during the growing season to replenish nutrients.
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Prune overgrowth if plants become unruly. Remove and compost any harvested plant debris.
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At the end of season, pull spent annual plants and top off beds with fresh compost or leaves.
Give your raised bed garden attention on a regular basis and it will flourish all season long!
Enjoy an Abundant Raised Bed Harvest
Creating and caring for raised garden beds does require an investment of time, effort and money. But the ample rewards you reap are well worth it!
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Reap weekly pickings of the freshest, tastiest greens, vegetables and herbs you’ve ever eaten.
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Cut budgets on grocery bills by growing your own organic produce right at home.
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Get exercise and stress relief
Where to Buy Jasmine Flowers Locally
Luckily, with the availability of imports, it’s relatively easy to find authentic, high-quality Indian jasmine flowers in most major US metros. Here are some tips on finding fresh jasmine near you:
- Search for Indian grocery stores or flower shops in your city Brick-and-mortar Indian markets and florists will often stock fresh jasmine flown in several times a week from India. The blooms are cared for properly and you can inspect quality and fragrance
- Look for online sellers that ship nationwide. Many vendors specializing in Indian flowers now offer nationwide shipping on fresh jasmine. Options like Jasmine Flowers 2 Go or Jasmine for SoCal allow you to order jasmine to be delivered directly to your door.
- Ask friends for local recommendations. Talk to Indian friends, neighbors or colleagues about where they source jasmine flowers. People are usually happy to share supplier information.
- Search local listings on Google Maps. Using search terms like “Indian flowers” or “jasmine flowers near me” can help surface florists and specialty stores in your area.
- Check for local farmers markets or nurseries. Some urban farms or specialty nurseries may grow jasmine plants and sell cut flowers. Bonus – locally grown flowers are fresher.
- Look for temples or cultural centers. Hindu or Indian cultural centers, temples, mosques and churches may sell jasmine flowers for offerings or ceremonies.
Caring for Jasmine Flowers at Home
Once you get your jasmine flowers home, proper care is required to get the longest lasting beauty and fragrance from them:
- Trim stems and place immediately in clean, fresh water. Change the water daily.
- Keep flowers in a cool spot out of direct sunlight.
- Mist blooms occasionally with soft or filtered water.
- Remove any flowers that wilt or brown to prevent decay spread.
- For the best fragrance, display in open area (not stuffed in vase).
- Keep away from drafts, vents or ripening fruit (ethylene gas).
- For special events, flowers can be stored overnight chilled in water.
With the right care, a batch of fresh jasmine can last up to a week for your enjoyment.
I Put together the “Expert Gardener” Raised Garden Bed!!
FAQ
What should you put in the bottom of a raised garden bed?
All you have to do to hold the soil inside your raised bed is put down some type of porous material. You can do weed barrier cloth or plain ol’ burlap.Apr 27, 2024
What are the cons of in ground garden beds?
Potential Soil Issues of In-Ground Gardens
Your soil is too compact, requiring a ton of work up front in order to get the soil ready for plants, and there’s always the chance still won’t root successfully. Your soil lacks drainage, drowning your plants and leading to root rot.
What is the most durable raised garden bed?
While untreated wood has a limited lifetime, using cedar, redwood, cypress, or hemlock can prolong the garden’s life expectancy by five or ten years, meaning you can enjoy decades with your wooden raised beds. Steel is next in durability, and stone and brick can quite literally last a lifetime.
How deep should a ground garden bed be?
A raised bed should be a minimum of 6-12 inches deep. This ensures there is enough room for your plants to develop a good, deep root system, but you can make the raised bed as deep as you would like. If your bed is not 12 inches deep, you could dig out a bit of the ground before adding the dirt to make it deeper.