Raised garden beds offer a versatile and accessible alternative to traditional garden beds, making them perfect for unique spaces and smaller harvests. This spring, Illinois Extension invites community members to learn how to start their own raised bed gardens at an upcoming workshop.
Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator Katie Bell, along with Master Gardener Jessica Bare, will lead the session. Topics will include planning and designing raised beds, understanding soil and water needs, preparing garden beds for spring, and using companion planting techniques with fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
“Raised garden beds are a great option for those wanting an easily manageable growing space,” says Bell. “They can be built at different heights and sizes to accommodate almost anyone’s needs. Raised beds also offer the flexibility to amend difficult soil types, improve drainage, and retain valuable soil additives like compost.”
The Raised Bed Gardening workshop will take place on Saturday, May 2, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the West Salem Community Garden, located behind Village Hall at 106 E. South St. in West Salem. Both youth and adults are welcome; children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is available online at go.illinois.edu/Garden or by calling the Edwards County Extension Office at 618-445-2934.
For those needing reasonable accommodations to participate, please contact Katie Bell at klbell@illinois.edu. Early requests are encouraged to ensure needs can be met.