I'd like to convert my vegetable garden into raised beds with micro-sprinklers, use hay for the walkways in-between those beds, then work the decomposed hay into the raised beds at the end of the growing season. Is this a good idea?
This is a very good idea for several reasons.
Raised beds are the cornerstone of intensive gardening because they allow you to arrange your vegetables in blocks which use space much more efficiently than the long rows that are the mainstay of conventional gardens. This close spacing reduces weeds, maximizes water use, increases yields and generally makes your life a whole lot easier. Raised beds also create a physical barrier between your garden and invasive weeds.
Your beds should be no more than four feet wide and can be as long as you want to make them. You can construct them from slow-rotting wood, such as cedar or redwood (which are expensive but can last up to twenty years), or untreated wood (which is inexpensive but will need to be replaced in as little as five years). Pressure treated wood often contains toxins that can leach into your soil and is not recommended for garden use.
Micro-sprinklers minimize water waste. You just need to keep in mind the ultimate size of your favourite vegetables when installing those sprinklers or you could find them blocked by foliage later in the season.
Hay is excellent for keeping weeds down in large part because it's slow to break down. If it's still actively decomposing when you work it into your beds it can bind key nutrients - nitrogen in particular - making them unavailable to your plants. This will mean additional fertilizer to keep your plants healthy.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
