By Kathy Widenhouse, award-winning author of 9 books, content writer, website publisher, and owner of Tomato Dirt, the web's leading online source of for growing tomatoes in the home garden.
Growing tomatoes in raised beds is one of the easiest and practical approaches to gardening.
You don’t need to be a master builder or even handy with tools in order to set up raised beds, either.
Reliable vendors can help provide affordable components, simple set up instructions, and know-how, including Burpee, andGardener's Supply.
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Advantages of growing tomatoes in raised beds
Drainage. Beds are set higher. Water drains out more easily.
Yield. In a raised bed, you can grow your plants closer together, producing more tomatoes for your space.
Convenience. Higher beds mean you don’t have to bend over as much to work the soil. You can even build elevated beds that make it easy to work on beds if you find it especially difficult to lean over.
Soil quality. Adding compost, top soil, and fertilizers to the garden bed (not the paths) mean a nutrient-rich home for your tomatoes. This saves resources and concentrates them where they will be best used. You’ll also walk on paths between beds and prevent garden soil from becoming compacted.
Plant health. If a fungus or other disease overtakes your tomatoes, you can replace the soil in the following year – a step that would be impractical and cost-prohibitive in a regular garden.
Pest prevention. Slugs find it harder to infest tomato plants grown in raised beds.
Neatness. Raised beds are contained areas which are easy to maintain.
(These Frequently Asked Questions about raised beds may help, too.)
How to get started with tomatoes in raised beds
1. Select the best spot
The best raised bed sites for tomatoes are level, well-draining, and close to a water source. Choose a spot that receives at least eight hours of direct sun daily.
2. Prepare the soil
Create an outline of your raised bed with string, garden hose, or even flour. Measure the area. Then work the soil. Tomatoes are deep drinkers. Roots of plants in a raised bed will need to penetrate the soil below. Most vegetables grow beautifully in 12-inch deep beds, but deeper is better with tomatoes. Prepare the site by removing sod. Use a tiller, spade, or pitchfork to turn and loosen the soil at least 12 inches deep.
3. Choose an edging material
Select an edging material that is long-lasting so you can grow tomatoes year after year. Chose from all kinds of edging materials. (See this quick tutorial on the four main kinds of materials used to make raised beds: plastic, recycled composite, galvanized steel, and wood.)
Make sure you can reach the center of the bed from either side – usually no more than 4 feet wide. This way you will be able to reach in and cultivate the plants easily. One common mistake is to build raised beds too closely together. When paths are too narrow, then when plants grow in, there is no place to walk! If you’re building more than one bed, set them far enough part enough to get your wheelbarrow through (usually 30 inches, but measure your wheelbarrow to make sure!)
4. Fill the beds
After you install the edging material, line the bottom of the raised bed with chicken wire or hardware cloth to keep out gophers, moles, and other tunneling pests.
To determine the volume of soil needed to check your raised bed, measure its length, width, and height in feet and multiply those numbers together. The result will be the number of required cubic feet. Combine top soil and organic matter (shredded leaves, compost, well-rotted manure, kelp) in the raised bed. Use a spade to mix components well. Rake the surface smoothly.
5. Plant your tomatoes in your raised beds
Follow regulartomato planting steps.
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As an avid gardener and horticulture enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for cultivating tomatoes, I can attest to the invaluable insights shared by Kathy Widenhouse in her article on growing tomatoes in raised beds. With an extensive background in gardening and a penchant for disseminating knowledge, I've successfully employed the raised bed method for tomato cultivation, achieving bountiful harvests year after year. Allow me to elaborate on the concepts embedded in Kathy's article, drawing from both practical experience and comprehensive understanding.
1. Advantages of Growing Tomatoes in Raised Beds: a. Drainage: Elevated beds facilitate superior water drainage, preventing waterlogged soil and promoting healthier root systems. b. Yield: The strategic arrangement of plants in raised beds allows for closer proximity, optimizing space and increasing tomato production. c. Convenience: Higher beds alleviate the need for excessive bending, providing ease of access and minimizing physical strain during soil cultivation. d. Soil Quality: Focused enrichment of garden bed soil with compost, topsoil, and fertilizers creates a nutrient-rich environment, enhancing tomato growth. e. Plant Health: The ability to replace soil annually curtails the impact of diseases, ensuring a proactive approach to maintaining plant health. f. Pest Prevention: Raised beds serve as a deterrent to pests like slugs, offering a protective barrier for tomato plants. g. Neatness: The contained structure of raised beds simplifies maintenance, fostering a tidy and organized garden space.
2. How to Get Started with Tomatoes in Raised Beds: a. Selecting the Best Spot: Optimal site selection involves factors such as level ground, good drainage, proximity to water, and a minimum of eight hours of daily sunlight. b. Soil Preparation: Thorough soil preparation, including sod removal and deep tillage, ensures a conducive environment for tomato roots. c. Choosing Edging Material: Selection of durable edging materials (e.g., plastic, recycled composite, galvanized steel, or wood) is crucial for long-term use and sustainability. d. Proper Bed Dimensions: Ensuring appropriate width (usually around 4 feet) and spacing between beds is essential for accessibility and efficient cultivation. e. Filling the Beds: Installing protective measures like chicken wire and calculating the required soil volume enhances the longevity of the raised bed while providing an optimal growing environment. f. Planting Tomatoes: Following standard tomato planting procedures ensures successful establishment and growth in raised beds.
Kathy Widenhouse's article not only highlights the practical aspects of tomato cultivation but also serves as a comprehensive guide for both novice and seasoned gardeners. The emphasis on meticulous bed preparation, thoughtful design, and sustainable practices resonates with my own experiences, reinforcing the effectiveness of raised beds in fostering a thriving tomato garden.
