Ways to Clean Raised Garden Beds

There are many different ways to clean raised garden beds and knowing the proper maintenance can make gardening a rewarding experience for all of you involved. Knowing which methods work best for your raised garden beds will help you enjoy this fun hobby more than you think.

1. Scooping Up All the Dirt

One of the oldest known ways to clean raised garden beds is to simply work the dirt around the edge with a shovel. This is best done when the soil is still wet, as water will wash away more dirt over time. When doing this, make sure to scoop up all of the dirt that you can so that nothing goes to waste. You should also use your own shovel so that you don’t spread the dirt around.

2. Breaking Up the Soil

You may choose to use a hoe or rake for this task. Both these tools are designed to dig into the ground in order to break up the soil. Be careful when using these tools, as they may also scratch or damage the soil beneath. Be sure not to use too much pressure when using either one, as it can cause the dirt to get compacted at the same time. Both tools are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most gardening stores.

3. Dirt Removal

There are also some things you can do to get the most out of your dirt removal. One way you can try is to sprinkle bird seed on the dirt before you do any heavy work. This will attract some certain birds and insects that will help with the decomposition process. Another method is to mulch over the top of the soil. This will make the dirt sticky and hold in moisture better than loose dirt.

4. Keeping Bed Free from Dirt

Another way to help keep your raised garden bed free from dust and other debris is to rake the dirt around it. This is especially true of areas near the base of trees, where leaves and other types of debris can fall down onto the ground. If you don’t have the room to do this manually, you can always purchase a dirt rake or other type of spade. Just make sure to keep it in good working order, as it will last longer if you take care of it. You can also pick up small pieces of twine and string and place them along the edges of the area that has soiled ground.

5. Using Plastic Sheets

When you are working on a new raised garden bed, you should have an old tarp or large sheet of plastic over the area to help contain any spilled soils. You should also use a wheelbarrow or garden strainer for loose soil or gravel. This allows you to get the soil under control without using your hands. After you have the dirt under control, you can use your vacuum or rake to remove the extra soil. You want to be sure to wear gloves when doing this so you don’t get any finger scratches from the gravel.

6. Removing Soil After Rebooting

When it comes to removing the soil after rebooting, make sure you only do the work that you can do without the help of a shovel. You want to make sure you don’t compact the dirt too much while using your hands to spread it around. Also, be very careful with where you are walking as you walk to make sure you don’t have any dirt caught in your shoe heels.

7. Killing Weeds

If you have to change the soil around your plants because it is too wet or starchy, you should put a couple of cups of bleach in a spray bottle and spray around the base of your plants. Make sure you rinse it off well after you do this. You can also mix borax with water and spray around your plants. The combination of these two substances will kill weeds and make them easier to pull up. If you have a bonsai plant that you are just about to repot, you should do a partial liquid lawn shampoo treatment. This will help repot the plant without making it susceptible to algae and other diseases.

8. Watering

When you are finished, you will find that the dirt is still damp with a little bit of water left in it. You will need to do some more watering to get the soil settled again. This process of adding water to the damp soil will cause the grass in the raised garden bed to grow. If you let the grass grow, it will make the dirt even dirtier and thicker. If you keep the grass cut short, it will be lighter and easier for you to clean up the dirt.