Raised and Saved



Oh the possibilities

I've never been too fond of raised garden beds, but on a recent shopping excursion, I bumped into this stylish elevated garden bed. I imagined the convenience of someone short or in a wheel chair easily sowing and harvesting crops. This space saver system allows a gardener to plant indoors, outdoors and through the four seasons. I now see raised beds in a new light.


Other reasons for using a raised bed are:

• Compact gardening
• Less time consuming
• Transportability of the bed
• Less weeding
• No till
• Comfortable working height

Gardening is therapeutic

                                          

Save Your Rain

As a child, I so liked to catch raindrops on my tongue. Rainwater that is gathered and contained properly is a sustainable source of water. Rain barrels harvests and stores the rain for you. After catching the rain, you can use it for fun water activities, environmental experiments and education, car washing or in the garden. Among other practical reasons for rain saving. But harvesters beware! Rainwater harvesting is illegal in some communities. Adversaries claim that if rain or snowfall is captured, less water will flow to streams and aquifers where it is needed for wells and springs. Check local laws before purchasing a rain saver.

Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose

Selecting a Rain Barrel

Look for:

•  High capacity container
• Meshed screen that blocks debris
• Brass spigot
• Able to channel excess water to a desirable area

 

How to Collect Rainwater

1. Collect run-off water in rain barrels or a large tank
2. Install a rainwater system
3. Create a rainwater garden