Raised Gardens

What is a raised garden? In its simplest form, a raised garden is planted and grown above ground. It consists of a raised area of soil without any borders. However, most gardeners prefer to define the garden with borders because it’s easier to contain and tend to the garden. Borders can be created with lumber, bricks, rocks, stones, concrete, railroad ties, and many other materials. Borders can keep the soil from washing away.

Where can a raised garden grow? Raised gardens can grow in any area that provides ample space and adequate sunlight.

What are the benefits of a raised garden? Raised garden beds provide an excellent method for controlling the quality of garden soil. Vegetables, herbs, and many fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and raspberries tend to flourish in the contained environment provided by a raised garden bed. Not to mention, raised beds help control weeds and pests, and if raised high enough, alleviate the back strain often associated with gardening.

Identify a women’s shelter, small housing complex, family, or individual in your community that can benefit from growing vegetables, fruits, or herbs. Invite the identified group/individual to join your chapter’s project. It’s important the recipients of the garden participate in the process so they can learn to plant, maintain, and reap the benefits of the raised garden.

Produce from the garden may be used to help feed the family/families tending the garden or your chapter or partner group may decide to maintain the garden and do one or more of the following suggested options:

  • donate produce to a local food pantry
  • create food baskets for shut-ins or less fortunate members in your community
  • sell the fruits and vegetables, and donate the proceeds to help a women’s cause or organization

Raised garden project tips:

1. Select your youth and/or adult partner group(s) and form a planning committee

  • Invite local horticultural or garden clubs to join you
    Remember:
    • Adult chapters must partner with at least one youth group
    • Youth chapters must partner with at least one group of adults

2. Determine the end result for the raised garden

  • Will your chapter maintain the garden and donate its produce to assist women’s shelters, food pantries, shut-ins, or families in the community?
  • Does your chapter plan to sell the produce and use the proceeds to benefit a local women’s organization or cause?
  • Will your chapter start the garden and turn it over to the predetermined party to maintain the garden and use its produce to help feed others?

3. Select the location for the garden

  • Choose a location that offers a minimum of 8 hours of daily sunlight, especially if you plan to grow vegetables
  • Look for an area of flat land with easy access to water
  • It’s extremely important the garden bed and walls are level, otherwise, the water will pool at one end of the garden causing flooding in some areas and lack of water to other plants

4. Identify the owner of the land

  • Obtain permission to plant the garden – written permission is recommended

5. Decide the types of vegetables, fruits, or herbs that will be planted and the size of the garden

  • Gardeners should not step on the soil, so it’s important to keep the width of the garden at 4 feet or less to provide easy access to the middle
  • Determine what will be planted and where
  • Refer to seed packets or seedling directions for planting and soil instructions

6. Identify the tasks and number of volunteers necessary to plant the garden

7. Identify the tools and supplies necessary to plant the garden

Typical gardening tools and supplies include:

  • Trowel
  • Level
  • Hand fork, claw, cultivator
  • Hoe
  • Hand pruners
  • Watering cans
  • Pitch-fork
  • Shovels & spades
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Garden hose
  • Gloves
  • Peat moss, fertilizer, or compost to prepare the soil

8. Determine the roles & responsibilities for all volunteers planting the garden on JOIN HANDS DAY

9. Provide all volunteers with:

  • Project address and directions
  • Project start and end times
  • Cell phone number for the project coordinator
  • List of items to bring to the project site

If applicable, remind volunteers to wear the proper gardening attire and sunscreen, if necessary.
Whenever possible, wear Royal Neighbor volunteer badges or apparel.

10. Identify the forms and signage required for your project:

On JOIN HANDS DAY/at the project site:

  • Display current Royal Neighbors signage
  • Keep a volunteer log
  • Royal Neighbors members should wear our volunteer badges
  • Require all participants to sign the Release and Waiver of Liability form
  • Ask participants to sign the Royal Neighbors of America Photographic and Personal Statement Release
  • Take quality action photos and forward them along with your JOIN HANDS DAY Report to the Fraternal Department at 230 16th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, or email the form and digital photos to your Fraternal Development Specialist
  • When sending emails, please make certain to include your chapter number, city, and state in the subject line
  • Make sure drinking water is available for all volunteers; your chapter may consider providing lunch as well

This reference sheet provides basic information only. Feel free to contact a local garden club or horticultural association for additional assistance and advice, or visit your local library or bookstore. You may want to invite a local garden club to join your initiative.

As always, it is important to provide clear adult supervision whenever youths are involved in a project. Additionally, caution should be exercised whenever operating power tools or potentially dangerous equipment.

Have fun and be safe!