Farming an Urban Garden - raised garden beds-hydroponics-vertical gardens

It isn't difficult to build a basic raised garden bed unless your building space is cramped like mine. In my opinion the real labor came when I filled it with soil.
Typically raised beds are no wider than four feet. Four feet is about the maximum comfort level for reaching and harvesting. Length varies. Select the material to construct the walls. Brick, stone, hay or wood are common selections. Hay is the easiest to work with but won't last as long as brick, stone and wood. Wood is the most common material used to build a raised bed. To avoid food contamination use untreated lumber and seal it with an earth friendly wood stabilizer and sealer similar to what one would use on a chicken coop.

How to Make a Wood Raised Bed:
Untreated Lumber :
Four 2.1 11/2 foot long stakes
Four 8.2 -foot long 2x6's
Four 4.2 -foot long 2x6's
Apply wood stabilizer. Let dry.

Construct upside down on a flat surface. Drill screw holes.

Ground Installation: The 2x6's should be flush at the top with the steaks. Screw ends of 2x6's to steaks keeping edges squared and tight. The extended part of the stake can be easily trimmed accordingly. These will act as stabilizers. Attach wire or other burrow proof material to the bottom being careful to secure. Turn right side up and position in place. For best drainage results till the existing soil. Gradually work the steaks into the ground. Level check all sides. Work the soil as necessary to level the raised bed.

Pavement Installation: The 2x6's should be flush at the top keeping edges squared and tight. with the steaks extending only an inch or two at the bottom. These will act as risers. Attach wire or other burrow proof material to the bottom. Turn right side up and add contractor type material to the bottom inside. This will prevent soil from draining out of the bottom. Level check all sides.

Drainage: Raised beds must be level to experience their superb drainage qualities. Drainage is important. Add rocks for additional drainage.
Add: Soil and compost.:
Top with salt hay or more compost for insulation, weed control and additional drainage.
Composting is beneficial. when using raised beds. Gardeners can easily tailor soil mixes to individual crop requirements.

Watch as the urban gardener in the video below shows you how to build your own raised bed. She introduces a unique and effortless technique to add compost to the raised bed.

Vertical gardening sounds trendy but it's been around for centuries. The Idea is for the most part very simple but the method can be as unique and new, as simple or complicated as any other gardening project. It's all up to you and your assets.
Veritcal gardening adds so much more growing space to those tight little unused areas that might have otherwise been overlooked or thought impossible to use. From the simple installation of a trellis to a full grown garden wall each are considered vertical gardening.
Newer vertical gardening innovations are on the rise. Check out the vertical hydroponic window garden created out of necessity by a Brooklyn New York urban farmer!
Watch the videos below to learn how to make your own traditional vertical garden or the newer innovative vertical hydroponic window farm!
Happy Farming!