Published Friday, September 10, 2010 12:04 AM

Raised beds easy to manage, have more area for crops

A garden design idea that should be easier to manage is to build raised beds. These should be 3 or 4 feet wide and various lengths with a path on each side. The width should be about 2 feet if the bed is along a structure with access from only one side.

The vegetable plants may be grown in a checkerboard pattern or in multiple rows within the beds, instead of single or double rows with pathways on each side. That will increase the area for the crops, reduce the space needed for pathways and drastically reduce soil compaction.

The beds only need to be graded 6 to 12 inches higher than the drainage/pathways. If the pathways are 2 to 3 feet wide and covered with shredded leaves or grass clippings, they will not be muddy when the gardener cares for the plants. After the produce has been harvested and the plants removed, the soil could be shoveled from the beds onto the organic matter in the pathways to become the seedbeds for the next season. Crop rotation is a very valuable technique to prevent disease and insect problems from spreading. More permanent beds can be built with treated wood, blocks or stones.

A 3 by 3-foot area for each vegetable may yield enough for two adults. If you need more vegetables, extend the bed length.

The fall planting times to start mid-season vegetable crops and with the spacing between plants are:

* Beans: Aug. 15 through Sept. 15; 6 inches

* Beet: Sept. 1 through Oct. 20; 4 inches

* Broccoli: Sept. 10 through Nov. 15; 12 inches

* Brussels Sprouts: Sept. 10 through Nov. 5; 18 inches

* Cabbage: Sept. 15 through Dec. 31; 12 inches

* Carrot: Sept. 15 through Nov. 30; 3 inches

* Cauliflower: Sept. 20 through Oct. 31; 24 inches

* Swiss Chard: Aug. 20 through Nov. 15; 8 inches

* Collard: Oct. 1 through Oct. 31; 12 inches

* Garlic: Aug. 10 through Oct. 20; 4 inches

* Kale: Oct. 1 through Oct. 31; 12 inches

* Kohlrabi: Sept. 20 through Nov. 30; 8 inches

* Lettuce: Sept. 15 through Nov. 30; 8 inches

* Mustard: Aug. 20 through Nov. 15; 6 inches

* Green Onion: Oct.. 1 through Oct. 31; 3 inches

* Garden pea: Sept. 15 through Sept. 30; 6 inches

* Pepper: Aug. 1 through Sept. 15; 18 inches

* Radish: Sept. 1 through Nov. 30; 2 inches

* Spinach: Sept. 5 through Oct. 25; 6 inches

* Tomato: Aug. 1 through Sept. 15; 24-36 inches

* Turnip: Aug. 20 through Nov. 20; 6 inches

If plants are closer than the distances listed above, the least desirable should be removed as "weeds," leaving the best ones to mature for fresh vegetables.

The local gardens have received adequate rainfall this week to expect successful production from vegetable crops this fall and maybe winter. Gardeners should plant a few beneficial flowers and/or herbs with the vegetables.

Old Farmers Almanac

Sept. 11 and 12 are the best days for planting beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, mustard, peppers, spinach and tomatoes.

Sept. 21 and 22 are the best days for planting broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, garden peas and spinach.

Gardening Resource

Each month, hundreds of gardeners visit the Brazos County Master Gardener's website: www.brazosmg.com. The site includes information for Brazos County with links to the bi-monthly newsletter, planting guides and many other subjects for gardeners.

Fall Plant Sale

The third annual Fall Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25 in the parking lot of the Brazos County AgriLife Extension Office, 2619 Texas 21 West in Bryan. Many of the flowering plants attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The unusual perennial, shrub and vine plants were selected and sponsored by the Brazos County Master Gardeners.

* Write to Elmer Krehbiel, Master Gardener, c/o Brazos County Office, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 2619 Texas 21 W., Bryan, Texas 77803. His e-mail address is elmer.krehbiel@theeagle.com.

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