The climate in your area is a big determining factor in the type of garden plants and vegetables you can grow. If you expect many cool, wet days, then a raised bed vegetable garden is especially appropriate.

Building a raised bed vegetable garden allows extra water to drain out faster and the soil will become warmer quicker. With appropriate protection it also allows you to grow vegetables that you would not normally be able to grow due to the cold climate.

One of the more common advantages of raised bed gardening is the extra room that it gives to the plants. When the soil is raised is has more depth to it and this allows the root of the plants to grow deeper than they would have, which in turn allows them to grow larger and better.

To construct a raised bed vegetable garden you need to pile in the soil with a shovel or rake. The width of the raised bed depends on how large you desire the garden to be. A common dimension is 21 inches. The dirt that is used for the beds has to be a superior quality soil. It is acceptable to use common garden dirt that has been mixed with amendments such as compost, peat moss, and manure. Also, you can buy superior quality soil.

For small gardens with limited space it is a good idea to use wooden frames to assist with containing the soil. This will give you a way to space out the rows of vegetables between each one of the plants. The wood used are usually 2 x 10s or 2 x 12s and should be processed to hold up against the rain and bugs.

Some gardeners choose various containers for their vegetables rather than having a raised bed vegetable garden. A particularly good choice is an old tire. Yes, old tires make great containers for two reasons. Plants need water, but don’t like soggy soil; tires can drain quickly. Tender plants need warmth, and tires are perfectly suited for this task. Their dark color absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and returns it to your plant at night.

You don’t want your plants to be too wet or dry out too fast. As you prepare your soil, be on the lookout for low spots which could drain too slowly. If you spot any, be sure to add extra soil to build the level up. Even then, the depth can change with your first watering. Continue to build up low spots where you will plant your vegetables until you have a nice level spot for your plants.