I once heard a radio interview with the person at NASA who recruits candidates into the astronaut program. At one point in the interview the host asked the expert a simple question, “What qualities make someone a good potential astronaut?” Now with such a question I expected a long treatise on the engineering brain, the … Read more
Yards aren’t created equal. Some are beautifully flat and easy to work with, while others may be set on a sloped surface, either going up or down. Without major terraforming, you’re stuck working with the landscape you’ve got. Thankfully, building a raised bed on a slope is an option, and there are multiple ways to … Read more
There are many benefits to gardening in raised beds or planter boxes: the improved ergonomics, clean appearance, ability to fill them with quality soil and compost, and it’s easier to block out pests. I love raised beds! Yet one of the few drawbacks is that they don’t last forever (and, they aren’t exactly cheap). So, … Read more
Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us? Whether youre designing a new garden or want to boost your existing gardens aesthetic, incorporating edging is a way to highlight the garden area and add more personality. Creating borders or garden edging establishes … Read more
Since the demise of our city chickens I haven’t given much thought to my stint of urban farming. That is until it hit me one day that I wanted another Raised Vegetable Garden. I had a vertical veggie garden built into the sides of our chicken run, but it was a poor set up. With … Read more
Raised beds can be as humble or as elaborate as you would like. The benefits of raised garden beds include better soil drainage, easy access to plants, portability, soil customization increased soil control, and also the ability to keep weeds and pests at bay. You can easily DIY raised beds from recycled materials you might … Read more
Snails can be a major nuisance in garden beds, destroying crops and ornamental plants overnight. With their rasping mouthparts, these slimy mollusks chew irregular holes in leaves, flowers, stems, and fruits of many vegetables and ornamentals, such as beans, cabbage, lettuce, and strawberries. If you’ve had problems with snails in your garden, it’s time to … Read more
Raised garden beds are a popular gardening method that provides many benefits over traditional in-ground planting. The contained design allows for superior drainage, fewer weeds, and easier access without compacting surrounding soil. While rectangular raised beds are the most common shape, circular raised beds offer a unique stylish alternative for your backyard or garden space. … Read more
These are actually concrete block garden beds covered in surface bonding cement, but that was too much of a mouthful for a title. Ha! I wanted to plant some berry plants along our fence line, parallel to our septic lines, but I didn’t want well….poop berries or a ruined septic system, so I needed to … Read more
Living in the desert, growing your own food can seem daunting. But with a little planning and know-how, you can have a thriving vegetable garden right in your own backyard! Raised garden beds are the perfect solution for Phoenix gardens. They make gardening accessible, help you control growing conditions, and let you make the most … Read more