What are some common mistakes beginners may encounter in vegetable gardening?

When you're just starting out growing vegetables, it's common to make mistakes. When doing vegetable gardening on raised metal garden beds, some mistakes are not easy to correct. Most beginners in this type of gardening will need to correct these mistakes based on their own experience. Below I will tell you some of the most common mistakes beginners make, and you should use these lessons to make some corrections for your next vegetable garden.

1. Choose a garden bed that is too wide

One of the biggest advantages of growing vegetables in raised metal garden beds is that it prevents the soil from being over-compacted. You can work around garden beds without stepping on them. Most beginners don't realize that their garden beds need healthy soil, air, and water. Stepping on the soil or using the machine on the soil will push the air out. You want to make sure you don't step on the garden beds to promote better soil structure and healthier fresh produce. If the raised garden bed is too wide, this will prevent you from working on all sides. In the long run, you will eventually find yourself stepping on the soil in the bed and losing the main benefits of a raised garden bed. Your raised vegetable garden bed should be no wider than 4 feet. Most gardeners can comfortably reach the center of a garden bed of this width. You can also experiment with the width of the bed; 3x4 feet wide is also a comfortable option. When deciding on the width of a raised garden bed, you should also consider trying not to place the metal raised garden bed near the fence when it is in place, as it will encourage weed growth between the fence and the garden bed. You will also not be able to reach the area near the fence for planting, weeding or harvesting.

2. Do not plan the water distance

While you might consider watering your metal raised garden beds by hand, you might eventually get bored with it. Therefore, you need to plan how to irrigate your raised metal garden beds. Place your garden bed as close to a water source as possible. Whether you choose to water by hand or use a drip or soaker hose, having them near your garden beds will save you a lot of time. For garden beds, it is recommended that you use a drip irrigation or soaker hose. If you plan to place several garden beds, a soaker hose will do.

3. The beds are too close together

What you want to make sure is that you can create a comfortable workspace around your metal raised garden bed. Just leave enough space between the beds so you can work comfortably around them. Leave at least 2 to 3 feet between beds so you have enough room to weed, plant, and harvest metal raised garden beds. Also, keep in mind that some plants won't stay on their line. Some plants may overflow the edge of the garden bed, such as squash, beans, and squash. When placing garden beds, make sure you can place a wheelbarrow or garden cart between the beds. There is plenty of space around each garden bed for you to work.

4. Weeds grow on paths around garden beds

If your space is large enough, you may have problems controlling weeds when you have multiple garden beds at once. You shouldn't let weeds grow around your metal raised garden beds. Overgrown grass beds can harbor snakes or other pests. One thing you can do is put up barriers to keep weeds out before they start growing.