|
Island beds can be seen from all sides and are easier to get to for maintenance such as weeding or hoeing. When planning an island bed one should try to remember this important fact. It can be seen from all sides. So the effect you have with your bed will depend on what plants you put in it. An island bed should have the tallest plants near the center. The medium plants growing gradually from them untill you reach the smallest growing plants around the outer perimeter of your raised bed. In other words the plants should be increasing in size from the outer bed to the center of the bed. For a better effect you should have plants that work together for height and color scheme. A different plant just here and there has no visual effect at all. Aslo, make sure you select plants that will bloom in different times of the spring and summer. This way you can guarantee that there will be color. In figuring out the size of plants to grow always try to remember that the tallest plant should equal half of the width of the bed. A huge bed makes for hard control of weeding and hoeing. It is better to have two small raised beds than one large raised bed. For example: a raised bed that is eight feet wide should not have any plant in it over four feet tall. This rule of thumb is basic for all borders. If you need to make a raised bed larger than what you can comfortably take care of, Consider putting in a path way, so you will have access to the very center of your bed. Spacing in any bed is also very important. Groups of three or more of one plant is the general assumption made by gardeners. The effect is of a more natural way than having one of every kind in a bed. The average planting space for plants will differ depending on the plant you have. Usually a good figure to follow is 16" however, if you have a plant who really likes where they are, you may end up having to divide that plant by the next year. Another way to determine the spacing of your plant would be to just read the labels that are inserted in the plant when you buy them. Just follow the directions. |
|
