Raised beds are increasingly gaining popularity every year and have become a trend in organic farming. And there is nothing surprising about that. Not only do they enhance the visual appeal of your garden, but they also require minimal maintenance, making them a great option for both beginner and experienced gardeners.&nbsp;<br />
However, before you dive into building raised beds, let&#39;s consider everything you need to know.<br />
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<h2>Pros and cons of raised beds</h2>
Just as any coin has two sides, raised beds have both advantages and disadvantages. Let&#39;s start with the <strong>benefits</strong>:

<ul>
	<li>High beds are easy to work with because they are elevated above ground level, which makes them more accessible and requires less bending or kneeling for gardening tasks.</li>
	<li>It doesn&#39;t matter what kind of soil you have on your plot: tall beds can be filled with store-bought fertile soil if necessary.</li>
	<li>Raised beds warm up faster in the spring due to their height above ground level, which enables earlier sowing of crops.</li>
	<li>Aesthetic appearance. Raised beds can be made of any material that suits you, but also designed according to your landscape design.</li>
	<li>Thanks to good drainage, water does not stagnate in raised beds, and the box walls will not let water pour out on the garden paths.</li>
	<li>Easily transformed into small greenhouses by placing arcs and draping with nonwoven material. This can save your crops in an unexpected cold snap.</li>
</ul>
And the <strong>drawbacks</strong>:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Soil in raised beds dries out quickly, so you need to water your crops more often. Building such beds on elevated terrain is not recommended. But this problem can be solved by making them a little deeper than the ground level, by automatic watering or by mulching them.</li>
	<li>Because space in a high bed is limited, plants will have to be fertilized more often.</li>
	<li>These beds are not cheap to build.</li>
</ul>
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<img alt="" src="https://plants-admin.emdemapps.com/images/plants/efc1c85053893d54ba92b2f9b070e6e7.jpg" />
<h2>What material to choose to make raised beds</h2>
Raised bed can be built from almost any material - wood, bricks, concrete, plastic. Still, the most popular by far is lumber. The main thing is to avoid wood that has been treated with varnish or paint.<br />
Wood is a relatively inexpensive material and has excellent decorative properties. But the most important disadvantage is its short life span. However, the life of a wooden bed can be extended:<br />
Before you begin construction, you need to dry the boards. Treat them with special antiseptic agents and cover them with special impregnates to prolong the life of your bed.&nbsp;<br />
In addition, you can also cover the inside of the box with garden fabric to prevent your boards from rotting from the inside of the bed.<br />
If for some reason wooden beds do not suit you, you can make them from:&nbsp;
<ul>
	<li>Brick: requires certain skills in masonry, but is safe and durable;</li>
	<li>Stone: a beautiful and durable material from which you can make a bed of any shape;</li>
	<li>Plastic: quite durable, easy to install, affordable and easy to use material;</li>
	<li>Metal: such beds can be constructed of stainless steel sheets or wide strips welded together. This material is very durable and will last more than one season, but the cost of such beds will be very high.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Choosing the ideal spot for raised beds and determining their size</h2>
Find a flat area in your garden. If you don&#39;t have one, you&#39;ll have to spend effort leveling it so that the sides of the bed are level.<br />
Also, shady areas should be avoided. A north-south orientation of the beds is desirable. This means that the long side of the beds preferably faces south. In this way, you will provide the most ideal light for your crops, which will have a positive effect on your harvest.<br />
The optimal size of a bed would be 3x6,5 feet wide at a height of 1-2 feet. This will make it easy to take care of all the existing plants. You can, of course, make the beds higher, but in this case you will need more soil and fertilizer.<br />
Select the spacing between adjacent raised beds or between the bed and the main plot based on the intended use of the path. If you frequently use a wheelbarrow or lawn mower, a distance of at least 3 feet is recommended. For a regular walkway, a distance of 1.5 feet should be sufficient.<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://plants-admin.emdemapps.com/images/plants/53f7e011a35522f40fa9789d47577a75.jpg" /><br />
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Raised beds are the optimal solution for a rich harvest with great landscaping. If you want to enjoy your garden with a minimum of effort, raised beds are just what you need.

Building raised beds? Here's what you need to know first

Even the healthiest plants need regular pruning. This procedure not only helps maintain their attractive appearance, but also promotes a bountiful harvest. However, if done improperly, pruning can damage your garden irreparably.&nbsp;<br />
That&#39;s why it&#39;s crucial to learn the main rules of pruning fruit trees and shrubs. Therefore, let&rsquo;s start with the basics and the most important points of this procedure.
<h2>Types of pruning and what they are for</h2>
Pruning is the removal of parts of a plant. This can be branches, cones, and sometimes even roots.<br />
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There are 3 types of pruning of trees and shrubs:
<ul>
	<li>Shaping pruning. It is aimed at giving the plant a certain shape or making it grow in a given direction. It is done from November to April if the temperature is not too low.</li>
	<li>Sanitary pruning. It is aimed to help a sick plant: to get rid of diseased parts of the plant and to stimulate its further development.&nbsp; It is carried out throughout the year as needed. But it is better not to do it in late summer and early autumn, and when the temperature is too low.</li>
	<li>Rejuvenating pruning. It is intended to increase and improve the quality of the crop, leaves, flowers, and branches. Trees are pruned during the dormant period after leaf fall (before sap movement begins) from October through April when temperatures are at least minus 59&deg;F (15&deg;C).</li>
</ul>

<h2>When it is best to prune plants (general rules)</h2>
The crown of the tree is formed from the moment the seedling is planted and continues to form throughout its life cycle. Depending on climatic conditions, pruning is done in spring or fall, in some cases in summer.

<ul>
	<li>Spring pruning. Pruning in all climates is recommended in early spring, when temperatures are 46&deg;F (8&deg;C) or higher. This is usually late February, early March, but can be later. In this case, it is not the timing that is important, but the air temperature. For mature plants, pruning up to May is possible. Sanitary and shaping pruning can be combined.</li>
	<li>Fall pruning. If you live in a region with warm winters, fall pruning is acceptable for sanitary purposes (temperature should also be at least 46&deg;F (8&deg;C)).</li>
</ul>

<h2>Pruning rules for trees and shrubs</h2>
For pruning, you will need sharp and clean tools: pruning shears, pruning saws or knives. A stepladder will also help, and it is advisable to bring alcohol and a clean cloth to disinfect the tools after pruning each plant - this will help prevent contamination of healthy trees.<br />
<strong>Note:</strong> Do not cut more than 25% of the branches, or the plant may not be able to withstand such stress.<br />
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There can be several options for pruning. And they all depend on different factors, including the type of plant. So, pruning a hedge will be different from pruning a fruit tree. But there are a number of general recommendations:
<ul>
	<li>First of all, you need to get rid of old and diseased branches and stems.</li>
	<li>Then you need to remove shoots that interfere with the growth of the plant.</li>
	<li>Also, it is necessary to get rid of branches that are in contact, because this provokes the disease of the plant.</li>
	<li>Prune the top of a shrub that has stunted its growth to stimulate it. But this is not suitable for all plants. At times, the plant will need to be replanted or fertilized.</li>
	<li>Carefully trim the branches to shape your tree or shrub. But before making the cut, look around the plant from all sides so you don&#39;t cut too much off.</li>
	<li>Always cut the branch to the growth point or growth cone, not leaving a cut in the middle of the branch or stem.</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>Please note</strong></h2>
Pruning of trees and shrubs should not be carried out under adverse meteorological conditions (heavy rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, icing, fog, gusty wind, low air temperatures).<br />
Immediately after pruning trees and shrubs, all wounds larger than 1 inch in diameter need to be painted over with oil paint on natural olive. Wounds of coniferous trees abundantly producing resin are not covered.<br />
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Proper pruning techniques are essential for maintaining healthy trees and shrubs, as well as ensuring a bountiful harvest. With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can learn how to properly prune their plants. With a little practice and patience, you&#39;ll soon become a pruning pro and enjoy the many benefits of a well-maintained garden.&nbsp;<br />
So grab your shears and get pruning!

Don't let your plants go wild. The importance of pruning

The end of February in many regions already feels like spring, which means that the growing season is in sight. Garden enthusiasts are eager to get started with planting new plants and tending to their gardens. To help you make the most of this time, we have put together a list of things you can and should do in your garden in February.
<h2>#1 Taking care of indoor plants</h2>
This point applies to every plant lover. In February, the days get longer and the plants come out of their hibernation phase. At the end of February you may start transplanting your houseplants if they need it.<br />
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<strong>Tip:</strong> If you want your potted plants to get used to the new soil more quickly, mix a tablespoon of the soil it was in into the fresh potting soil mixture. This way you can introduce the bacteria they were used to to the fresh soil and your plants will adapt more quickly.<br />
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Also, you can start fertilizing, put the plant under an artificial light and trim off old and diseased and old parts of the plant. This will not only do no harm, but help your plants.
<h2>#2 Planning and purchasing seeds</h2>
This is one of the most enjoyable pastimes: planning, fantasizing, and dreaming. You&#39;re like an artist sketching out their future painting. And February is a great time for this.&nbsp;<br />
However, it&#39;s not wise to purchase seeds without a preconceived plan. Therefore, we suggest that you plan ahead and make a detailed list of what you want to plant in your garden. Armed with this outline, you can confidently shop for seeds either in physical stores or online.
<h2>#3 Working with snow</h2>
If your region has a snowy winter, it is important to get rid of it in February. The reason is that the weather at this time is unstable and the snow becomes heavy, which can destroy your garden structures and plants.<br />
Get rid of snow on fragile structures and also shake it gently off the branches of your shrubs and trees. Plant branches are especially fragile in February and can break under the weight of heavy snow.
<h2>#4 Pruning of shrubs and trees</h2>
If there is no snow and it is warm enough (at least 17&deg;F or higher), you can begin <a href="plnt://article?id=15&amp;url=dont-let-your-plants-go-wild-the-importance-of-pruning">pruning shrubs and trees.</a><br />
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<img alt="" src="https://plants-admin.emdemapps.com/images/plants/f6088a8f83cefda0aa69891d2d2007a8.jpeg" /><br />
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If the weather is not suitable for starting pruning, you can still prepare for the upcoming season by getting your tools ready and buying any necessary supplies in advance. This will help you be more efficient and effective once the weather improves and you can start working.
<h2>#5 Planting in February</h2>
Not every plant should be planted in February because for some plants there will not be enough natural light. However, there are a number of plants that can already be planted, especially if they are vegetables and you want to have time to harvest.<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://plants-admin.emdemapps.com/images/plants/88b8671d08015a06070fc2b826f152e1.jpeg" /><br />
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Here&#39;s a short list of what you can plant in late February and early March:
<ul>
	<li><a href="plnt://plant_profile?id=6646">Celeries</a>;</li>
	<li><a href="plnt://plant_profile?id=955">Strawberries</a>;</li>
	<li><a href="plnt://plant_profile?id=12757">Sweet</a> and <a href="plnt://plant_profile?id=7734">chili peppers</a>;</li>
	<li><a href="plnt://plant_profile?id=2369">Eggplants</a>;</li>
	<li>Flowers.</li>
</ul>
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If you&#39;re going to grow early-ripening varieties, you can wait until mid-March, but still late-ripening varieties should be planted now.<br />
So, we&#39;ve given you a plan for what to do in the last days of winter. As you can see, there is plenty to do in February for gardening. Do all of the above, and you&#39;ll enter growing season smoothly.