December 9, 1996
More Americans garden than participate in any other pastime. However, some people find it difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy America's number one hobby because of physical limitations.
That's when raised bed gardening makes sense. This centuries-old technique not only brings the soil level up to a working level, making it possible for the physically disabled and elderly to garden, but also can improve the health and productivity of a garden.
"If they're properly constructed, raised beds can have better soil structure and drainage, which warms the soil earlier in the spring, giving you a head start," says Deborah Brown, horticulturist with the University of Minnesota's Extension Service.
How does one construct a raised bed garden? The answer lies in a one-page guide to raised bed gardening in the Minnesota Gardening 1997 calendar.
The raised bed gardening guide is only one of the calendar's useful features. The only gardening calendar designed especially for Minnesota, its cover features a full-color photo of Duluth's Leif Erickson Memorial Rose Garden with the Aerial Lift Bridge in the distance.
In addition to a color photo for each month, the spiral- bound calendar features timely tips for yard, garden and houseplant care and a list of helpful publications.
Other features gardeners will appreciate include a page for notes; USDA plant hardiness zone and average last frost date maps for Minnesota; and a directory of county extension offices and information about horticultural education programs, services, facilities and organizations in Minnesota.
Calendar sales help fund the activities of Minnesota Master Gardeners and the development of new educational materials. The Minnesota Gardening 1997 calendar is sold at county offices of the Minnesota Extension Service. Or, you can place a credit card order for it by calling (800) 876-8636 or (612) 624-4900 and asking for item MI-5741-NR3. The calendar costs $7.50 ($6.75 if you order 5 or more) plus shipping and sales tax (where applicable).
Source: Deborah Brown, (612) 624-7491, dbrown@extension.umn.edu
Writer: Sam Brungardt, (612) 625-6797, sbrungardt@extension.umn.edu
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