The garden at the dacha can be divided into sections and arranged in the form of flower beds, you will get French garden beds. They are suitable for planting vegetables and berries. They are fenced plots of land of various geometric shapes. They will have to be cultivated manually. But instead of the usual vegetable garden in front of the house there will be flower beds of vegetables and berries. The main advantage is its beautiful appearance.
What are French beds?
In a small dacha, it is better to plant a vegetable garden in the form of a flower bed.A French garden bed is a fenced plot of land designed for growing vegetables and berries. It differs from a regular vegetable garden by the presence of a fence. The fence prevents soil from being washed away from the beds.
Components of a French vegetable garden:
- fenced area;
- fertile soil mixture;
- paths (behind the fence).
Types of French beds:
- raised (filled mounds);
- single-level (level with the surface);
- multi-tiered.
Outline (shape) of French beds:
- rectangle;
- rhombus;
- trapezoid;
- triangle;
- circle or oval;
- circle divided into segments;
- winding ribbon;
- polygon.
The following are used as fencing:
- low-growing shrubs (up to 20 cm);
- border tape;
- bricks;
- wooden pegs;
- boards;
- garden border;
- forged gratings;
- decorative wattle.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- beautiful appearance;
- can be used to decorate the landscape;
- the fence prevents soil and nutrients from being washed away from the beds;
- convenient to care for and harvest;
- all plants are in sight.
Minuses:
- the land will have to be cultivated manually;
- labor-intensive technology.
Design examples
French beds are fenced plots of land of a round, rectangular, trapezoidal or other geometric shape. Such areas can be arranged in any order or in the form of an ornament.Paths are built between the French beds.
Design examples:
- In the form of a circle divided into segments. In the center of the large circle is a small circle, inside it is a statue or garden figurine. The large circle is divided into several segments. There are paths from the center, with fenced areas between them.
- In the form of a square divided into four parts. The large square is divided into 4 parts. There are paths between the fenced rectangular areas.
- In the form of a multi-level (stepped) structure. The mountainside is divided into several tiers. Each tier has its own fence. The shape of each bed is in the form of a ribbon encircling the slope.
Required tools and materials
The main component of a French garden is a fertile soil mixture. The land is prepared independently. The components of the earthen mixture are taken in certain proportions. The land for growing agricultural crops must be loose and fertile.
Soil mixture composition:
- ¼ turf, meadow or garden land;
- ¼ sand;
- ¼ peat;
- ¼ clay or loamy soil;
- sawdust, bark, chopped straw;
- manure;
- lime;
- ash;
- complex of mineral fertilizers;
- fungicides, insecticides.
List of tools for building French beds:
- shovel;
- level;
- pitchfork;
- hoes, hoes;
- rake;
- hoe-cultivator (cultivator).
The fence is constructed from available materials (boards, garden borders). Paths are made of crushed stone, paving stones, and tiles. The choice of material depends on the desires and financial capabilities of the summer resident.
How to make a French vegetable garden with your own hands
First, it is recommended to draw a sketch on paper. To do this, take a piece of paper and draw all the structures located on the summer cottage. Free spaces are allocated for French beds.The shape of the fenced area is selected depending on the dominant style or arbitrary.
Instructions for building a French bed:
- decide on the shape (circle, square) and type (level with the surface or mound);
- find a suitable place and clear away debris and weeds;
- make markings for the fence;
- remove the top layer of earth inside the site (1-2 shovels);
- pour fertilized soil mixture;
- install a fence;
- make paths.
Adviсe:
- a well-lit area, protected from the wind, is allocated for the garden;
- perennials are planted separately from annuals;
- if the site has a slope, then the plants are planted horizontally so that the water does not drain, but is retained;
- on the south side it is better to plant heat-loving crops (eggplants, tomatoes);
- greenery is planted on the north side;
- the optimal width of the bed is 40-50 cm (convenient for weeding and harvesting);
- The width of the path is at least 50 cm (so that a garden wheelbarrow can pass freely).
What is better to plant in them?
Plants are planted in a row, in a spiral or in an arc. In one fenced area you can create a beautiful composition of different varieties and types of vegetables. In practice, low-growing plants (lettuce) are planted near the border, followed by tall plants (onions, tomatoes).
What agricultural crops are suitable for a French garden:
- different types of salad;
- cabbage;
- sorrel;
- marigolds (to repel pests);
- parsley, dill, fennel;
- carrot;
- onion garlic;
- beet;
- potato;
- beans, peas;
- cucumbers, tomatoes.
When planting plants, pay attention to their color and appearance. Vegetables are planted so that during the growing season a multi-colored composition is created. Lettuces of different colors and different varieties of cabbage combine beautifully. You can plant only one type of vegetable in each fenced area.
