Growing More Veg: Arched Mounds within a raised bed

[Samuel1988]

Afternoon All,

I was just wondering if anyone has tried make a mound within a raised bed to increase the space available to growing vegetables?

If so how did you manage it/what problems to you come across & how did you overcome them?

I read somewhere that this increases the planting area by around 20% compared to a level raised bed hence my curiosity.

Thanks for your time and help

Samuel

[Aberdeenplotter]

never thought of doing so, I'd be more likely to create another raised bed. If you create a mound the chances are you will have one side shaded at various times during the day I think would be the obvious down side. Other than that, it is sometimes difficult enough to find sufficient soil to fill a raised bed on the flat and I suspect the volume required to create a big enough mound would be more than 20% of the volume otherwise required. Curiosity had an unfortunate effect on a cat tha knows

[Samuel1988]

Thank you for your reply

I ask this after placing a semi-circled shape on a base line and measuring the difference in length. Perhaps I could place more shade loving vegetables on the main shaded side/transplant veg plants into the shade side once they are a certain side so they have enough 'reach'.

I'll give it a shot anyway - the worst can happen is I learn something from failing (and maybe learn something of how to get around this ).

Samuel

[veggiechicken]

Have a Google of Hugelkultur Samuel. You'll find a lot about growing on mounds built up on top of tree stumps and branches. Sepp Holzer's work is good.

[zazen999]

never thought of doing so, I'd be more likely to create another raised bed. If you create a mound the chances are you will have one side shaded at various times during the day I think would be the obvious down side. Other than that, it is sometimes difficult enough to find sufficient soil to fill a raised bed on the flat and I suspect the volume required to create a big enough mound would be more than 20% of the volume otherwise required. Curiosity had an unfortunate effect on a cat tha knows

That's the idea you grow stuff on the south side as the angle improves light and heat, and stuff on the north side that needs less light and heat. I think it's explained in this video:

Mike Feingold's Permaculture Allotment - YouTube

[Two_Sheds]

wondering if anyone has tried make a mound within a raised bed

It's no good on sandy soil, which has a hard enough time hanging onto water & nutrients