Raise the expectations of your crop this spring

GROWING vegetables is not just a labour of love but also a rewarding pastime. You put the hard work in and watch and wait as your efforts return a bountiful crop of tomatoes, potatoes and a vast range of other vegetables. But growing veg can be tricky if preparation is not in place. I won’t score many points by saying soil is the most important part of growing veg. But while soil quality is obviously important, even more important is sufficient drainage. The problem that many vegetable growers face is inadequate percolation. This means that surface water is slow to percolate the topsoil which can lead to root rot, mould and fungi affecting plants as they try to grow.

Unless your soil has depth, it’s virtually impossible to grow vegetables successfully. One way of overcoming this problem is the make raised beds. This is simple and for just a little effort you’ll be rewarded when the summer rains come and don’t affect your crop. The standard size of raised beds is usually 6’ by 4’. Preferably, the beds should be made from 6inch by 2inch timber planks that are pressure treated. The latter will ensure better longevity than flimsy timber framing which will only rot in no time.

To complete the job you should have good quality topsoil delivered either by the load or in tonne bags. It’s important at this point to remind you that topsoil is what you want, not subsoil. The latter consists of clay, usually has more stones and is sub fertile compared with quality topsoil. Once delivered, grab yourself a wheelbarrow and start drawing the soil ensuring each bed is filled. Always ensure you overfill the bed as the soil level will drop over time.

The advantages that come with a raised bed is they’re easier to maintain, tidy, and allow for sufficient drainage. The disadvantage (if one can call it that) is the crop yield will be smaller due to the confined space, while during a dry spell you’ll need to stay on top of the watering as the soil will crack. Building raised beds is a great way of taking control of your growing conditions and raising the expectations of your crop.