for Eastern & Midwestern Regions:

Vegetable gardening, it seems like everybody is doing it, and why not? Growing your own vegetables is healthy in so very many ways. But how can you be successful in your endeavors if you have less than optimal soil?

Poor soil? No worries! Try growing vegetables in a raised bed.

Why Raised Beds?

There are many benefits to gardening above the grade, including…

• Better Soil Conditions
• Raised beds allow you to select and add the soil of your choice to provide the optimum conditions for root growth. And, because a raised bed is not stepped in, soil compaction is never an issue.
• Higher Crop Yield
• Better soil equals better root growth, which then leads to a higher yield of vegetables. Also, intensive planting in raised beds means more plants can healthfully be grown in a smaller area, no wasted space on pathways.
• Easier Maintenance
• A well-thought-out raised bed will be accessible from each side, allowing for easier maintenance. Healthy soil and intensive planting reduces weeds. Improved soil conditions make weed removal easier and spurs large, lush plants that will shade the soil surface, thus reducing weed seed germination.
• Decreased Garden Pests
• Pest insects are less of a problem in raised beds and the main reason is due to healthier soil conditions. Less pest control leads to an increase in beneficial insects. It’s a win-win!
• Reduce Water Usage

Soil, rich in compost, naturally has improved soil moisture retention, thus cutting back    on time watering and the amount of water used.

• Extended Growing Season
• Increased drainage, due to improved soil, speeds up bed warming and allows soil to dry more quickly after early season rains. Both warm soil and excellent drainage are perfect conditions for earlier Spring planting.

Raised Bed Soil

Take away on raised beds…it’s all about the soil!

Growing vegetables in a raised bed is essentially the same as growing vegetables in any container, and did you know that a rich soil builder that is packed with compost and that is nutrient rich, may be used successfully in a raised bed situation?

We recommend using Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, which is specifically designed for your region and is teeming with natural and organic material.  This product contains natural, power-packed, soil components that are nutrient dense and feed the soil that feeds the vegetables that you grow!

But don’t forget the fertilizer! In addition to using Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, which is rich in nutrients, add Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Tomato and Vegetable Food at planting time to ensure that your veggies are getting everything they need to grow and fruit to their full potential.  For established vegetable plants, feed every 4-6 weeks as needed through the growing season.  If nutrients are leached from the soil due to excessive rainfall, fertilizing with this exceptional product will feed your plants with all the macro-nutrients, as well as micro-nutrients, that they need, including calcium for preventing common problems like blossom end rot.

You can grow the best vegetables ever this year! With Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® products, you are guaranteed the best soils and plant foods available anywhere, making it possible for even the newest gardener to obtain outstanding results.