Diversity in the garden is a beautiful thing. I encourage all parents to garden with their children using various methods. Organic raised bed gardening allows the children to dig deep into the dirt, examine fascinating creepy crawlies, and watch a seed mysteriously break the soil as it grows.
Keep reading to learn how to get raised beds reimbursed by Step Up for Students for your child's learning experience!
Why Raised Beds?
Raised beds are garden plots that are elevated above the ground. They can be made from various materials and are typically filled with a rich soil mix.
Benefits:
● Easier Access: Elevated beds reduce the need to bend over, making gardening more comfortable.
● Improved Drainage: Raised beds allow for better drainage, reducing the risk of waterlogged plants.
● Soil Control: You can control the soil quality, ensuring your plants have the necessary nutrients.
● Reduced disease: Soil-borne pests have a more challenging time infiltrating raised beds.
● Earlier growing seasons: Soil in raised beds warms before the rest of the ground, extending your growing season.
Types of Raised Beds
Metal Raised Beds: These offer durability and a sleek design. Many gardeners love Vego Garden products for their longevity and USDA food-safe materials. They feature kid-friendly edges and require less maintenance than wooden beds.
Vego Garden also provides a helpful quiz to guide you in choosing the right raised bed for your needs. Plus, their bundles simplify the purchasing process, so you can focus more on enjoying the gardening experience than sourcing materials.
Vego Beds are covered by Step Up for Students! Furthermore, Vego customer service is a pro at creating custom receipts that will bundle 4 raised beds together under one SKU, allowing you to submit a bundle for reimbursement without triggering the multiples rule!
Here's how to order and submit Vego Modular Raised Beds:
1) Click my affiliate link to be redirected to the Vego website.
2) Click "Bundle Sale"
3) Choose your bundle! Add to cart.
4) Add seed starting supplies, irrigation kits, trellises...and seeds! They are all covered! Don't forget fertilizer!
5) Use code STEPUP10 to receive $10 Off for Entire Order
6) Email hello@vegogarden.com and request a custom receipt for Step Up for Students (they will know what you need!)
Your Vego Gardens Beds can be reimbursed as a 'gardening supply' under "Electives". Step Up for Students will reimburse gardening supplies for both FES-UA and FES-PEP students. Remember to follow the Purchasing Guide, submit an Educational Benefit Form, and also be mindful of the 'multiples rule' which states: "Multiples of a single elective item that exceeds $50 require a pre-authorization." If you ask Vego Garden to bundle your bundle, you will not be subject to the multiple rule!
Everyone is responsible for reading the Purchasing Guide when submitting for reimbursement and before making large purchases.
Please also read my other post: "Secrets to Submitting Reimbursements".
Wooden Raised Beds: These are popular for their natural appearance and
versatility. You can build them to any size, making them customizable for your space. Opt for untreated wood like cedar or redwood to avoid harmful chemicals. Cedar and redwood are durable, lasting around 10 years, but they can be pricier. While wooden beds will eventually need replacement, many families enjoy the DIY aspect of building them together, creating a fun project that fosters teamwork.
The materials for raised beds can be reimbursed as a 'woodworking project' under "Electives". Step Up for Students will reimburse woodworking projects for both FES-UA and FES-PEP students. Remember to follow the Purchasing Guide, submit an Educational Benefit Form, and also be mindful of the 'multiples rule' which states: "Multiples of a single elective item that exceeds $50 require a pre-authorization."
How Much Soil Do I Need?
Whether you are measuring the dimensions of a wooden bed or using a soil volume and cost calculator, you need to know how many cubic feet your raised bed is so you can fill it with that amount of soil.
To fill your raised bed, start with a high-quality organic soil mix. You can also create your own blend, or visit your local home improvement store! Home Depot has 2 cubic foot Organic raised bed potting mix $9.97 ($5 per cubic foot).
How Do I Fertilize My Raised Bed?
Appropriately fertilizing is essential for a thriving garden. But it’s not always easy to navigate the endless options.
Application Frequency and Amount are key!
Tips for Success
● Read the Fertilizer Bag: Always check the fertilizer bag for application
rates and specific instructions.
● Watering: Ensure consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.
○ Ready for irrigation? Vego Garden offers customizable irrigation
supplies made to fit their classic and novel beds!
● Crop Rotation: Switch out your crops each season to maintain soil
health and reduce pest issues.
● Be wary of overpriced soils: A low price on a bag measured in quarts,
liters, pounds, or gallons instead of cubic feet is often a way to disguise
that the total volume is very small! Always convert to cubic feet.
○ Although it may be less convenient, I often find the best organic soil prices from local home improvement stores rather than on Amazon.
Get Started Today!
All you need to get started with raised bed organic gardening is a raised bed, soil, fertilizer, and water.
Organic raised bed gardening can be a rewarding experience for you and your child. It not only fosters a love for gardening but also teaches important lessons about sustainability and nutrition.
Feel free to explore Vego Garden Bundles for more inspiration, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Happy gardening!
~ Leah Brooks
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