Transformational Gardening Basics
Transformational Gardening is an innovative method used by Deep Roots Project to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space and raised beds. We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Check our many tips and details in our blog posts from the links scattered throughout this post.
Transformational Gardening is an innovative method used by Deep Roots Project to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space using cedar raised beds and the best products for success – like microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Check our many tips and details in our blog posts from the links scattered throughout this post. See all nine categories of our blog posts here.
“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
See the full list posts at Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” displayed under the post title which go to a list of related posts. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.
Scroll down to go to a topic in the list below:
Enjoy the grow your own journey
Nurturing soil health
Raised beds are best
Moisture and Mulch
Finding optimal sunlight
Setting up your food garden
Hardening off seedlings
Biodiversity Planting
Pest management
Planting calendars & climate zones
Cover crops and more
Season Extension
Harvesting
Storing your harvest
Preparing your bed for winter
ALL “Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
Deep Roots Online Store
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1. Enjoy the grow your own journey
Gardening is an evolving and enjoyable learning experience. Learn to partner with nature and learn from your plants. Increase the enjoyment by gardening with neighbors, friends, family and kids.
Start small and learn at your own pace. Adjust your developing gardening habits, to fit the food you love and your available time.
Remember that many of the Deep Roots “Transformational Gardening” methods are different from what you will find in YouTube videos and articles about traditional organic gardening. Remember, follow our lead on soil, fertilizers, biodiversity planting and pests.
Go to a higher level any time. Learn gardening terminology in our extensive gardening glossary.
Contact us at any time - customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299. Contact Estelle by text message with urgent gardening questions at 708-616-6473.
2. Nurturing soil health
Transformational Gardening uses the latest soil science to build on the strengths of both organic farming and regenerative farming while adapting their practices to raised beds and limited space..
Nurture your soil and the soil microorganisms (microbes and fungi) which in turn nurture and feed your plants. Let your soil microorganisms do most of your plant maintenance for you. Read more about Microbes, Compost and Soil Science.
Plant and harvest carefully with minimal soil disturbance. Follow the No till, No dig, No pull rule which protects microbial and fungal soil structures. Cut down harvested crops at soil level. Don’t pull out the root except for root crops like beets and carrots. No till practices come from the regenerative farming movement.
Microbe and nutrient rich compost is your new “SOIL.” Fill raised beds and containers with 100% Microbe-Rich Compost from Deep Roots which is bursting with soil microorganisms and organic matter that microorganisms feast on. Your plants will love it.
Find microbe rich compost locally. If you are not in the Chicago area, buy microbe-rich compost from certified vendors in other regions using the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) database that lists the compost ingredients AND if the thermophilic heat process was used. Make sure the vendors don't use wood chips or tree waste.
Don’t grow food with the soil from your yard which can have toxic substances and doesn’t contain the best nutrients and microorganisms for flourishing healthy, pest resistant plants. Amending soil in your yard is not worth the time or labor.
If your beds contain conventional soil. If your raised beds and containers are filled with conventional soil you can easily switch to our transformational gardening method in 2 ways: (1) Replace the top 4-6 inches of the old soil with our microbe-rich compost. OR (2) make larger than normal seedling holes and seed furrows and fill with a half-and-half mixture of microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Read more about planting seeds and seedlings for beginners and for next level gardening.
Fish emulsion fertilizer. Spray organic liquid fish emulsion fertilizer made from fish waste once a week or twice a month to add nutrients and microbes to your soil that support the soil microorganisms and your plants.
Place mulch around seedlings. When your seedlings are 4” tall protect the soil from sunlight, weed seeds and evaporation. First spread a 1/2” to 1” layer of compost followed by a layer of chopped up straw. Don’t use hay that contains weed seeds. Buy straw in bags or grow your own straw by planting the beautiful perennial prairie plant “Miscanthus Grass.”
Enrich your beds with compost in fall and spring. Spread a 2-inch layer of microbe-rich compost over your raised beds and containers in fall after harvest and/or spring before planting starts. Read our blog post Putting Your Bed to Bed.
Use cover crops to protect bare soil and to add microbes and nutrients. See blog post: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.
3. Raised beds are best
More details are in our blog post Why Raised Beds Are Best
Raised beds allow you to grow a lot of food in a small space. We take advantage of the protected space that raised beds offer to substitute 100% microbe-rich compost for conventional soil.
We offer the option to varnish your beds which retains their warm cedar colors longer.
We also build custom cedar planter boxes.
Grow in raised beds 15 inches tall to protect your soil and plants. The height provides extra space for moisture storage, habitat for microorganisms and space for roots to expand. Deep beds and larger containers allow your plants to grow bigger. More root space grows larger plants
Never walk on the soil in your raised beds so it stays loose and fluffy. This allows free flow of water and air that the microorganisms need to thrive and this also enables larger and healthier roots.
Cedar beds last many times longer than pine/fir beds. Our custom-built cedar raised beds are made from extra thick cedar boards using a design that withstands the force of expanding soil when it freezes during our cold winters.
Never use treated wood since the “rot-resistant” chemicals are toxic to soil microorganisms.
We transport the cedar boards in our truck directly from the sawmill in Indiana to our Oak Park, Illinois workshop in order to control quality and costs.
It’s fine to use bricks and pavers to build your own raised beds. Recycled used bricks are cheaper and work great. You can even build beds with curves and unusual shapes in your edible landscape.
4. Moisture and Mulch
Proper watering is critical to success and is one of the major reasons for failed crops. Find more details in our Moisture and Mulch blog post.
Water deeply but don’t over water. Use the “finger moisture test” before and after watering. Push your finger 2-3 inches into the soil and press it between your fingers to judge moisture present. After you remove your fingers from moist soil particles should stick. This video demonstrates the finger test.
Younger plants need more frequent watering since their roots are still shallow.
Convenient access to water or a long hose is essential.
If possible collect water from your roof with rain barrels. A small pump can supply the water pressure you need for your hose.
Never use sprinklers or water the foliage in humid climates like the Chicago area. Water the soil instead.
If possible, water in the morning to let the garden dry out by evening, Humidity and wet plants breed fungal diseases.
We use both compost and chopped straw as a mulch to retain moisture and block ultraviolet sun rays from harming soil microbes near the surface. Add the 1/2 inch of compost first and the straw on top.
Don’t use the Dense Leaf Mulch sold in our online store on your crops. We sell it to use on your non-food garden beds.
A water filter for your hose is needed if you are using municipal water containing chlorine which kills beneficial microorganisms. Buy it at garden centers or online.
Drip Irrigation is great if you have many raised beds and/or are out of town often. A slow drip directly to each plant root is a healthier way to bring water to your plants and uses less water. Experiment to find the correct amount of time to irrigate. Ask our support team about our drip irrigation kits that have many tiny hoses attached to the main hose. Each small hose tip is staked next to a plant stem.
5. Finding optimal sunlight
Sunlight is a critical factor for plant growth. Read our blog post on finding optimal sunlight to learn tricks to explore the best sun exposure for a food garden, what to consider when choosing a location, and how to make the most of the sun in your garden.
Most veggies need 8 hours or more sun. Some crops can get by with less sun.The location of sunlight changes over the seasons.
Make sure that the southern sun is not blocked by nearby buildings or shady trees.
Put your bed in a sunny location near your house or garage. Consider your front yard, if your back yard is too shady. Check with your town or city if growing food in a front yard is permitted. View the photo gallery of the Deep Roots front yard garden.
6. Setting up your food garden
Instructions for setting up your food garden and where to buy supplies are in our blog post Setup Your New Food Garden.
We build raised beds in standard and custom sizes. We deliver and fill them with 100% microbe-rich compost (your new soil).
Talk to our support team before placing an order on our store. Contact orders[at]deep-roots-project.org and 708-655-5299.
When you need help with your gardening journey contact our support team for advice – support[at]deep-roots-project.org and 708-655-5299.
We do additional garden setup work besides delivering filled raised beds. See our store page about general garden labor and talk to our customer support team. We can also connect you with a landscape architect and a native plant installation specialist.
For more details view all our blog posts. Sign up for our e-newsletter to find out about our webinars during the growing season.
7. Seeds & seedlings (transplants)
We have 2 blog posts about planting – one for beginners and another for experienced gardeners.
Our microbe-rich worm castings replace organic fertilizers is our primary soil amendment. It is rich with microorganisms & nutrients and used when planting seeds and seedlings. Learn more about microbe-rich worm castings.
The top ten easiest plants to grow from seed are lettuce, radishes, green beans, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, carrots, beets, spinach, and swiss chard. View blog post Easiest Veggies From Seed.
Our favorite fast growing veggies: arugula, beets, broccolini, carrots, swiss chard, green onion, lettuce, mustard greens, pea, pea shoots, radish, spinach. Learn more in our Fast Growing Crops blog post.
Buying seedlings (transplants) at a garden center is the easiest and fastest solution for “first timers” growing great crops.
Best way for beginners to plant seeds. Plant easy-to-grow cool weather crops from seed outdoors in the spring or in your coolest season that gets the most rain. Read Seeds & Seedlings for Beginners.
Experienced gardeners can grow most crops from seeds. Our blog post Seeds & Seedlings: Next Level offers tips on growing seedlings indoors for transplanting later and planting seeds outdoors.
Plant garlic in fall October 15 to 30 for a bountiful harvest in July. It sprouts in spring and is harvested in July. Plant the biggest and healthiest organic garlic cloves you can find at a farmer market since the variety is best for our local climate. Planting garlic blog post.
Plant spinach seeds between November 15 and 30 for an early spring cropland after you apply the 2” of compost. But don’t cover with mulch or leaves that will block the tiny sprouts from emerging in the spring. Planting spinach blog post.
For correct seed depth and spacing check the seed package.
If planting in a bed filled with 100% compost add 1/2 to 1 cup of worm castings to each seedling hole or seed spot. Bigger adult plants get more worm castings when planting. Mix the worm castings with the surrounding compost. Push the seeds into the mixture.
If planting in a bed filled with conventional soil (not our microbe-rich compost) make the holes and furrows extra large. Plant with a mixture of half worm castings and half our compost.
8. Hardening off seedlings
Hardening off seedlings is the process of gradually exposing plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse to outdoor conditions before transplanting them.
This process helps seedlings adapt to the harsher outdoor conditions, such as lower humidity, increased air movement, and sunlight, wind, and rain.
Hardening off also encourages seedlings to grow firmer and harder, and reduces the chance of transplant shock. Begin hardening off seedlings 1–2 weeks before planting.
Place your seedlings outside for an hour or two in mid- to late-afternoon.
Lengthen outdoor time: Each day, leave your seedlings outside for an hour more than you did the previous one.
Avoid placing seedlings outdoors on windy days. Be prepared to bring the plants inside if temperatures will fall below 45°F.
Hardening off typically takes two to three weeks. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in seven to 14 days, and if possible, do so on a cloudy day. Water well after planting.
9. Biodiversity Planting
Healthy happy plants are more resistant to disease and insect pressures and produce larger harvests.
Harness the forces of nature to protect your garden from pests and diseases by using biodiversity planting and succession planting. Create a healthy ecosystem above and below ground.
Consider creating an edible landscape that includes crops, native plants, flowers and shrubs.
Avoid monocultures (filling a space with only one crop). Instead, create several small areas for tiny plants like carrots in a bed instead of one large area with all your carrots.
We use succession planting to grow more food in limited space. We fill any empty spaces with new seedlings or seeds. But make sure the space allows sun for the seedlings and space for the adult plant.
Planting a mix of crops can help improve soil health, prevent disease, and attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Consider planting a mix of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to create a diverse and beautiful garden. View our blog post about Biodiversity Planting.
Careful utilization of space: Be mindful of how much space and sun each plant needs to grow properly. Some crops, like tomatoes and squash, can take up a lot of room in your only raised bed and are best planted in large cloth containers. But cloth containers need lots more watering. Small plants like lettuce, radishes, beets and carrots can be planted in smaller spaces between medium-size plants like kale, collards, basil and swiss chard.
Consider using trellises, vertical gardening, and other space-saving techniques to maximize your growing area.
10. Pest and disease management
Healthy soil and healthy plants are more resistant to pests and diseases in general.
Biodiversity planting and nontoxic organic sprays are our other 3 main tools. Learn more how we use Environmental Pest Management (EPM) to prevent and reduce pests in harmony with healthy soil and a diverse ecosystem of insects, birds and other creatures.
Our favorite safe sprays are biofungicide, BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), Neem oil. pyrethrum, and nontoxic soap.
Use diatomaceous earth (powder from crushed rocks) to kill slugs. The gray garden slug, Peroceras reticulatum, is generally found in Illinois.
Sterilize your tools to avoid spreading diseases that can live on both foliage and the soil.
Observe your garden daily or as often as possible to catch pests and diseases early.
Get expert advice for pest problems and much more from your local botanic garden or state university agricultural extension. Email them photos of the problem. For the Chicago area, use Chicago Botanic Garden plant information service: plantinfo[at]chicagobotanic.org and (847) 835-0972.
Read about common pests and diseases that attack the popular vegetables listed in our Planting Calendar for northern IL.
11. Planting calendars & climate zones
What are climate zones? The U.S. is divided into 11 “climate zones” also called ”plant hardiness zones.” Each climate zone has an average first and last frost date which determines the length of the growing season.
Climate change makes safe planting dates unpredictable. Find your frost dates by zip code. Find your climate zone in a map of U.S. climate zones.
Follow a planting calendar for YOUR climate zone to know planting and harvest dates for each crop. The Deep Roots Planting Calendar Guide is for the greater Chicago area and is a combination of climate zones 5b and 6a. Find a reliable planting calendar for your area at state university agricultural extension office websites.
Know WHEN to plant & harvest. It’s important to understand how average temperatures shift through the seasons and the preferred temperature range for specific crops in your climate zone.
Know the crops that are cold tolerant for planting in spring and fall. Know the crops that need warmth to thrive and are planted in late spring, early summer and mid-August.
Know the highest and lowest safe temperatures for each crop. Some spring veggies survive only light frosts. Some veggie seeds need certain temperatures to germinate. Some plants like tomatoes, peppers and squash must be planted outside when all danger of frost has passed.
Spinach seeds can stay in the ground all winter and germinate in early spring, plus produce a bigger harvest.
Know the heat tolerance of your crops. With climate change temperature is unpredictable. For example, many tomato varieties react badly to temperatures above 90º and stop producing fruit. View our blog post Optimal Sunlight for details about heat reducing “shade cloth.”
Timing is key for August planting for a fall harvest. Some plants that you already harvested can be planted again in a second-round. Choose veggies that love both hot and cool weather. Plant more than one of each crop – so, if one doesn’t make it – you’ve got some others!
Weather is unpredictable in fall, especially now during climate change. Any plant that we suggest for August planting could be overwhelmed by an unexpected heat wave or cold snap. View our blog post about planning a fall harvest.
12. Cover crops and more
Soil health and fertility. Cover crops help improve soil structure, add organic matter to the soil, suppress weeds, reduce erosion, and provide essential nutrients to the soil. Find more in our post about cover crops
Cover crops are optional if using our method. It’s usually done by farmers to enrich their soil. Our method of adding 2” layer of compost in fall and spring and planting with worm castings keeps your soil bursting with microbes and nutrients all season long.
Cover your soil covered in the off season. Use cover crops, landscape fabric, leaves, straw or organic matter that does NOT contain seeds.
Common cover crops include mustard, buckwheat, clover, legumes, and cereal grains, such as wheat and oats. They can be grown between main crops, improving soil health and fertility for future crops.
They provide habitat for beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pest populations.
Don’t till in the dead cover crop cuttings. We follow the ”no till, no dig, no pull” rule. Instead cut it down at soil level and use it as mulch.
Don't let the cover crop go to seed since you don’t want it to sprout when growing your main crop.
For more information see: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.
13. Season Extension
Local climates vary even in the same climate zone depending on growing season length, average temperature, amount of sunlight and wind exposure. See more details in our blog post Season Extension.
Raised beds can be protected with row covers, cold frames, hoop houses, and greenhouse tunnels. These covers help trap heat, protect plants from wind, cold temperatures, pests and diseases.
Floating row covers are lightweight fabrics that can be draped over the beds and secured with stakes or pins. Bury the ends of PVC plastic pipe or metal wire hoops in the soil. A lightweight row cover might provide 2ºF of frost protection, whereas a heavy-weight row cover might provide as much as 6ºF to 10ºF of frost protection. In the spring, when transplants are small, row cover can often be simply draped over plants without a frame. See our blog post Installing Hoops on Raised Beds.
Floating row cover allows sunlight, water, and air through. They protect crops from frost and pests. Remove them to allow pollination.
Cold frames are made from a wooden frame and a clear plastic or glass top. They store heat during the day and release it at night. They are ideal for early spring and late fall crops.
Hoop houses are larger than raised beds and more permanent and constructed of metal hoops covered with clear plastic. Use them through winter in mild climates.
14. Harvesting
Explore more details in our post Harvesting and Storing Food.
Avoid pulling out crops by the roots. Follow the “no till, no dig, no pull rule.” For non-root veggies, leave the roots in the soil and cut the stem close to the ground. Only pull out the roots of root crops.
Allow nature to improve the soil. Pulling a plant out by its roots interferes with bacterial colonies and fungal networks which are invisible sites that the fungi and bacteria build and live in.
Harvest from the same plant as long as it is producing. Don’t remove healthy prolific plants too soon.
Encourage growth by frequently picking salad greens, tomatoes, beans, peppers, cucumbers, squash, herbs, etc. Harvest frequently the large leaves from leafy green veggies like spinach, lettuce, kale and swiss chard so pests don’t damage them.
Harvest outer leaves of leafy greens to make room for airflow between neighboring plants and to encourage more foliage.
Learn to recognize when a plant is past its prime. Aging plants lose taste and take up precious space.
15. Storing your harvest
Explore more details in our post about storing food. Also more details are in our blog posts on crops groups and specific crops, with more to come.
Plan ahead for a large final harvest. Think about how you will cook, store or share the harvest – recipes, freezing, canning, fermenting, drying, storing in sand, storing in a basement, “vacuum sealing” before freezing, and more.
Many ways to use and store your harvest. The simplest is to buy an inexpensive chest-style freezer for your basement.
Store unharvested carrots and parsnips by leaving them in the ground over winter which makes them sweeter.
Store leafy greens for a few days in a tight closing plastic bag with all the air squeezed out. Or, chop the leaves before freezing in tightly closed plastic bags.
A “vacuum sealer” countertop appliance allows you to freeze your harvest in plastic bags for longer and also compresses the food into a smaller freezer bag.
16. Preparing your bed for winter
Find more details in our blog post Putting Your Bed to Bed for winter
Cover with 2” layer of compost. In cold climates like the Chicago after harvesting, re-charge your beds and containers with a 2-inch layer of microbe-rich compost. The microbes will have many months to enhance the soil. You can also add a second layer of compost in spring.
Plant spinach seeds and garlic cloves in fall. Get a bigger harvest by planting spinach seeds in November after you spread the 2” of compost. October is the best time to plant garlic for spring germination and harvest in July.
Avoid leaching of nutrients. Cover the bed with fallen leaves or landscape cloth to protect soil from snow and rain over the winter. But remove the leaf cover and cloth March 1 (or earlier) so spinach seeds can germinate and perennials like green onions can sprout.
Planting a cover is optional. Cover crops are an effective way to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide other benefits to a raised bed food garden. By choosing the right cover crop for your growing conditions, planting at the right time, and following good maintenance practices, you can enjoy a healthier and more productive garden. See our blog post: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.
17. "Grow Your Own Food" blog posts
See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.
18. Deep Roots online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org
19. Sign up for our newsletter
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
Co-directors of Deep Roots Estelle Carol and Will Schreiber say “Happy Gardening”. Please send us photos of your garden to support[at]deep-roots-project.org.
Transformational Gardening By Season
Welcome to the Deep Roots Project's full season guide for climate zones 5b and 6a. We go step-by-step through our innovative and easy to learn organic gardening method from early spring preparation through fall harvest.
Welcome to the Deep Roots Project's full season guide for climate zones 5b and 6a. We go step-by-step through our innovative and easy to learn organic gardening method from early spring preparation through fall harvest. It will bring you success from the first season in limited space using raised beds. Whether you're a beginner or experienced gardener, our methods will help you grow nutrient-dense food while revitalizing your soil with the power of microbe- and nutrient-rich compost.
Start Small and Learn at Your Own Pace
Adjust your developing gardening habits to fit the food you love and your available time. Remember that many of the Deep Roots “Transformational Gardening” methods are different from what you will find in YouTube videos and articles about traditional organic gardening. Follow our lead that uses the new agricultural science on soil, fertilizers, biodiversity planting, pests and more. Go to a higher level any time. Learn gardening terminology in our extensive gardening glossary blog post.
First Read our “Gardening Basics” Post
To get the most from this blog post, first read our “Transformational Gardening Basics” overview blog post for a broader understanding of the new soil science behind our innovative method. If you are already an experienced gardener OR when you are ready for a deeper dive into our innovative method, browse our full blog posts archive at Grow Your Own Food blog.
This post is a clear, step-by-step guide, through each phase of the gardening season, while maintaining a focus on Deep Roots Project’s core principles and innovative method.
Early Spring: Prepare Your Garden for Success
As winter fades and spring begins to stir, it’s time to start laying the foundation for a successful growing season. Follow these steps to ensure your garden gets off to the right start:
Clean and inspect your garden beds: Begin by cleaning any leftover debris or weeds from the previous year. Follow the “No till, no dig, no pull rule” and don’t pull out roots. Instead cut the stem at soil level. If you’re using raised beds, inspect the structure to ensure they’re still sturdy.
Make sure that the southern sun is not blocked by nearby buildings or shady trees. Do any trees or shrubs need trimming to allow maximum sunlight? Consider growing in your front yard, if your back yard is too shady.
Consider adding a raised bed. Raised beds allow you to grow a lot of food in a small space. We take advantage of the protected space that raised beds offer to grow in 100% Microbe-Rich Compost which is bursting with soil microbes and organic matter that soil microorganism populations feast on. Your plants will love it. Plus, never walk on the soil in your raised beds so it stays loose and fluffy. Plants grow poorly in compacted soil.
Spinach cover crop: If you planted spinach seeds from November 15 to 30, be careful to not disturb the spinach seedlings that sprout in early spring. You get a much larger spinach crop when you plant spinach seeds in the fall instead of in the spring. Harvest individual spinach plants to make empty spots for other early spring crops.
Amend the soil with compost: Deep Roots Project emphasizes the use of 100% microbe- and nutrient-rich compost. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of compost on the surface of your garden beds. This compost acts as both a fertilizer and soil conditioner, enhancing soil health without the need for chemical inputs.
Follow biodiversity planting: In early spring, start planning where spring and summer plants will go. Carefully follow the “biodiversity” section in our “Transformational Gardening Basics” blog post.
Install trellises and other space-saving vertical gardening techniques to maximize your growing area. Growing vertically in a food garden offers several advantages, including increased yields, efficient use of space, improved air circulation, and easier maintenance. Grow Vertically on a Trellis blog post.
Start warm season crops indoors from seed OR from tiny inexpensive garden center seedlings. Move the tiny seedlings into bigger pots as soon as you bring them home. Wash and soak used pots in dilute bleach. Place the small pots under grow lights or next to a very large sunny southern window. Use equal parts of our compost and worm castings for the soil. Read more about planting seeds and seedlings for beginners and for next level gardening.
Decide where to plant cool-season crops outdoors like leafy greens, peas, and root vegetables. Get planting dates for the greater Chicago area (climate zones 5b and 6a) from the Deep Roots Planting Calendar Guide and Frost-free Planting Dates and Plant Protection in Zones 5b & 6a.
Plant spinach seeds March 9 to 23. But it’s much easier to plant spinach seeds in late November.
Plant cool season seeds and seedlings (also called “transplants”). Root crops are best planted as seeds. Carefully follow the “seeds and seedlings” section in “Transformational Gardening Basics.”
Put worm castings in your seedling holes and seed furrows. Microbe-rich worm castings is the best fertilizer. If you are growing in conventional soil make larger than normal seedling holes and seed furrows. Fill with half-and-half compost and worm castings.
Drip irrigation: Spring is best time to start setting up Irrigation. If you have a large garden and/or are out of town often, irrigation on a timer is very important. Experiment to find the correct amount of time to drip irrigate. Water deeply but don’t over water. Ask our support team about drip irrigation options.
A garden water filter for your hose: If you are using municipal water containing chlorine and other toxins which kill beneficial microorganisms the filter is required. Not needed if you collect rainwater from your roof. Buy a filter at garden centers or online.
Mid Spring: Planting Time
With the soil amended with compost, early spring crops ready, and you checked planting dates, it’s time to plant your cool weather crops. Here's how to get the most out of your mid-spring gardening:
Plant seeds and seedlings of your cool-season crops – hardy vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and carrots. These cool-season crops thrive in the mild temperatures of early spring.
The top ten easiest veggies to grow from seed are lettuce, radishes, green beans, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, carrots, beets, spinach, and swiss chard.
Understanding the temperature tolerances of the vegetables you grow is crucial for their growth and productivity. By providing the optimal temperature conditions, you can ensure healthy plants and a bountiful harvest. Veggie Temperature Tolerance blog post.
Continue to grow warm-season seedlings indoors either from seeds or small inexpensive seedlings you buy. See “start warm season crops indoors” paragraph in the early spring section above. This allows them to grow strong until the soil is warm enough to transplant them outdoors. Seedlings Next Level post.
Watering: Different plants need different kinds of watering. Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Seeds and seedlings need to be constantly moist. Over watering can also stress your plants. Consider the amount of rain and other weather conditions. Moisture and watering post.
Moisture and mulching: When plants are about 4” tall mulch with straw (not hay) to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil temperature stable. Hay contains weed seeds.
Late Spring: Strengthen Your Growing Plants
As the days lengthen and temperatures warm, your plants will begin to take off. Here’s how to give them the best care during late spring:
Hardening off: Hardening off warm-season seedlings is the process of gradually exposing plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse to outdoor conditions before transplanting them. This process helps seedlings adapt to the harsher outdoor conditions, such as lower humidity, increased air movement, and sunlight, wind, and rain. Follow the instructions in the hardening off section of “Transformational Gardening Basics.”
Transplant warm-season crops: Once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up (usually by late May or early June), transplant your warm-season seedlings into the garden. Make sure to space them according to their growing requirements and size at maturity. Seeds & Seedlings: Next Level blog post.
Provide a trellis or a support cage for plants like squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, vining beans, and peas.
Spray fish emulsion weekly as a nutrient and microbe boost. You can also spread some worm castings around the stems of plants.
Watch for pests and control them early. As your garden flourishes, keep an eye out for pests like aphids and caterpillars. Control with organic methods early. Use natural deterrents like neem oil, BT and pyrethrum. Or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to control infestations. Learn more about environmental pest management.
Early Summer: Maintain Growth & Build Healthy Plants
Your garden is now in full growth mode! Here are the steps to ensure your plants stay healthy during early summer:
Consistent watering: Keep your garden well-watered, but avoid overwatering, especially in raised beds. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to target the root zone.
Apply more compost and worm castings: Mid-season is a great time to give your plants another dose of nutrient-dense compost or worm castings. Lightly scratch the compost and castings into the top layer of soil.
Support climbing plants: For plants like beans, peas, and cucumbers, provide trellises or stakes to support their upward growth. This keeps them off the ground and maximizes space.
Pruning tomatoes is optional. Some claim that it increases yield, while others believe it's unnecessary. Scientific evidence does suggest that pruning can have specific benefits, but the extent of its impact on yield can vary based on factors like tomato variety, growing conditions, soil nutrients/microbes and pruning techniques. Pruning tomatoes blog post.
Late Summer: Encouraging Fruit & Veggie Production
By late summer, your plants are producing flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Here’s how to maximize yields:
Harvest early crops: You may begin harvesting early crops like leafy greens, radishes, and beans. Harvesting regularly encourages the plant to produce more.
Pick full size tomatoes before fully ripe, when they just start to turn warm beige and slightly red to prevent animals like squirrels from biting them.
Prune and trim: Trim back overgrown plants, especially tomatoes and vines, to direct energy into fruit production. Removing dead or yellowing leaves can prevent disease and improve air circulation.
Add a final layer of compost: Before the final growth push of the season, add another light layer of compost around fruiting plants. This keeps them well-nourished for the last phase of production.
Early Fall: Prepare for the Final Harvest
As fall approaches, your garden enters its final stages. Here’s how to wrap up the growing season with a successful harvest:
Harvest warm-season vegetables: It’s time to gather tomatoes, peppers, squashes, and other warm-season vegetables before the first frost. Keep an eye on the weather and harvest tender crops as temperatures drop.
Harvesting squash: Harvest some squash when they are light beige or slightly green (summer squash). Or wait until they are a warm peach color (winter squash). The winter squash skin is tough and can be stored indoors for 5-6 months in a cool location.
Plant fall crops: Fall is also a great time to plant cool-season crops again. Spinach, kale, and carrots can thrive in cooler temperatures, giving you fresh produce well into the fall.
Late Fall: Garden Clean-Up and Winter Preparation
As the season comes to a close, it’s important to prepare your garden for winter. This will ensure a healthy and productive start next spring:
Final harvest: Harvest any remaining vegetables, especially root crops like carrots and potatoes. For plants that won’t survive the frost, it’s time to cut them down.
Clean and store tools: Clean and sharpen your garden tools before storing them for winter. This will prolong their life and ensure they’re ready for next year.
Apply compost: Spread a 2” layer of compost over your beds. This protects the soil from winter erosion and adds nutrients that will break down and enrich the soil during the colder months.
Plant garlic in fall October 15 to 30 for a bountiful harvest in July. It sprouts in spring and is harvested in July. Plant the biggest and healthiest organic garlic cloves you can find at a farmers market since the variety is best for our local climate. Planting garlic blog post.
Plant spinach seeds between November 15 and 30 for an early spring crop, and after you apply the 2” of compost. But don’t cover with mulch or leaves that will block the tiny sprouts from emerging in the spring. Spinach planting blog post.
Avoid leaching of nutrients. Cover the bed with fallen leaves or landscape cloth to protect soil from snow and rain over the winter. But remove the leaf cover and cloth March 1 (or earlier) so spinach seeds can germinate and perennials like green onions can sprout.
Planting a cover crop is optional. Cover crops are an effective way to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide other benefits to a raised bed food garden. By choosing the right cover crop for your growing conditions, planting at the right time, and following good maintenance practices, you can enjoy a healthier and more productive garden. See our blog post: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.
Find more details in our blog post Putting Your Bed to Bed for winter
Happy Gardening!
By following the Deep Roots Project’s transformational gardening methods through the seasons, you will create a thriving, nutrient-rich garden that supports both your plants and the soil.
Deep Roots Supports Gardeners
We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Check our online store. Always talk to our customer support team before placing your order online. If you need help or have a question contact us at support[at]deep-roots-project.org and 708-655-5299.
Deep Roots Online Store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
Unleash Your Green Thumb
Welcome to the Deep Root Project world “Regenerative Gardening” where we transform even the tiniest of spaces into bountiful food feasts. Forget about your grandma's traditional garden—Deep Roots Project is here to revolutionize the way we grow food, one harvest at a time.
The Ultimate Guide to Fun Food Gardening
Welcome to the Deep Root Project world “Regenerative Gardening” where we transform even the tiniest of spaces into bountiful food feasts. Forget about your grandma's traditional garden—Deep Roots Project is here to revolutionize the way we grow food, one harvest at a time.
The Secret Garden Recipe
Ever thought about growing tomatoes in something that wasn't dirt? How about worm poop and compost? At Deep Roots Project, we're ditching the old-school soil for something a bit more... lively. Our magic potion? A heaping scoop of microbe-rich compost, a generous sprinkle of worm castings (a fancy term for worm poop), and a splash of organic liquid fish emulsion fertilizer. Actually, we prefer to fill an entire raised bed with 100% microbe and nutrient rich compost instead of soil. We add powerful but gentle worm castings as the fertilizer to each seedling hole or row of seeds.
The True Dirt on Soil (Or Lack Thereof)
Rafa Crevoshay, our very own certified plant whisperer, has concocted a groundbreaking food-growing method dubbed "Transformational Gardening." It's like giving Mother Nature a high-five. We're mixing the best bits of organic and regenerative farming, then shrinking it down to fit your back porch. The result? A garden so resilient, it laughs in the face of traditional farming methods.
Microbes: The Unseen Gardeners
Imagine billions of tiny creatures, too small to see, doing most of the gardening for you. That's right, we're talking about microbes—nature's little helpers. These microscopic critters form a buddy system with plant roots, trading nutrients like kids swap snacks. Our approach? Let these invisible gardeners do the heavy lifting.
From Garden Novice to Nature's “Best Friend Forever”
Whether you've got a sprawling backyard or just a windowsill, we'll show you how to grow your own food and become a planet-saving superhero in the process. Deep Roots Project isn't just about growing veggies; it's about growing connections—to the Earth, to each other, and to the food that nourishes us.
Three Musketeers of the Garden World
Forget about the soil from your local garden center. Our trio of organic champs—microbe-loaded compost, worm castings, and fish emulsion—will have your plants dancing in their pots. This powerhouse combo replaces the need for traditional soil and fertilizers, making your garden a nutrient-packed paradise.
The Transformational Gardening Manifesto
This isn't your average gardening method. Transformational Gardening is all about flexibility, fun, and learning to read the room—or, in this case, the garden. Rafa's mantra? "Learn from your plants." It's about experimenting, adapting, and finding joy in the journey from seed to salad.
Say No to Soil Snobbery
You might've heard that using 100% compost is a gardening faux pas. Well, we're here to bust that myth wide open. Our new-age soil science proves that not only is it possible, it's revolutionary. You just need to use compost with a huge amount of microbes and nutrients. And for those not in the Chicago area, fear not! We'll help you scout out the best microbe-rich compost near you, sans the tree waste.
Raised Beds for Elevated Gardeners
Our cedar raised beds aren't just furniture for your plants; they're the penthouses of the garden world. Designed with care by our co-executive director, Will Schreiber, these beds can withstand the elements through freezing Chicago area winters, and look good doing it. No chemical-treated wood here—just good, clean fun.
Join the Green Revolution
Ditch the dirt. Embrace the worm poop. Become a part of something bigger. Deep Roots Project is more than just gardening; it's a lifestyle. So grab a shovel, and let's start planting the seeds of change.
Ready to turn your thumb green? Jump into the wonderful world of Transformational Gardening and watch as your garden—and your connection with nature—flourishes.
Dive Deeper
Click on the Blog Posts Below for more about our Innovative methods.
“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.
Deep Roots online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
Create a Bountiful Food Oasis
Embark on a journey to cultivate fresh, delicious produce straight from the comfort of your backyard. The Deep Roots Project (DRP) champions a harmonious blend of gardening that nourishes both the soul and the ecosystem. Revel in the tranquility and health benefits derived from gardening amidst nature, knowing the origins of your food, and contributing positively to your community.
Embark on a journey to cultivate fresh, delicious produce straight from the comfort of your backyard. The Deep Roots Project (DRP) champions a harmonious blend of gardening that nourishes both the soul and the ecosystem. Revel in the tranquility and health benefits derived from gardening amidst nature, knowing the origins of your food, and contributing positively to your community.
Free worm castings if you share a story
If you are already a member of our gardening community please share your comments, stories about how DRP regenerative food growing method worked for you, your friends and your family. Please also include photos of your garden if available. As a thank you, we will give you a free bag of worm castings fertilizer. Food gardeners at any level of experience are welcome join Deep Roots community of learners and teachers. Send stories, comments and questions to support[at]deep-roots-project.org. Call or text 708-655-5299.
Our innovative food gardening method is easier and saves time
Bountiful and economical: At DRP, we're passionate about empowering you with our innovative organic "regenerative" gardening techniques. These methods are not only enjoyable but also ensure a bountiful, economical, and successful harvest right from the start.
Practical guidance: From raised beds and optimal soil mixtures to efficient watering systems, pest control, and plant selection, we provide practical guidance every step of the way. Dive deeper into our philosophy and techniques by exploring our blog on "Grow Your Own Food" and "Transformational Gardening Basics."
Maximize harvest in limited space: Our focus extends to maximizing food production in limited spaces and prolonging the growing season from early spring to late fall. For seasoned gardeners, we recommend rejuvenating your soil with our top-quality compost to replenish essential nutrients and microbes.
Pioneering Climate Solutions Through Gardening
Regenerative gardens and farms: The global food system significantly impacts climate change, accounting for roughly 30% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional agricultural and gardening practices contribute to this challenge through the use of synthetic chemicals and disruptive soil techniques like tilling that wrecks the invisible soil structures created by soil microbes. Regenerative gardening and farming on a large scale is a solution to not only mitigate, but reverse these effects by “drawing down” carbon into the soil. Our regenerative gardening method is based on regenerative farming science and practices.
Nurture the soil’s living ecosystem: The essence of our method lies in promoting soil health, which is crucial for both climate resilience and gardening success. Our approach nurtures the soil's living community, from earthworms to beneficial microorganisms, effectively turning it into a carbon sink. This process, supported by the natural synergy of photosynthesis, not only feeds a diverse ecosystem but also plays a vital role in combating climate change.
Help us build a movement: Join us at the Deep Roots Project in leading the way towards sustainable gardening practices that benefit the planet. Together, we can cultivate thriving gardens that serve as beacons for environmental stewardship and climate solutions.
“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.
Deep Roots online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
Grow Your Own Food
DRP is dedicated to teaching how to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space. We are building on the strength of the organic gardening movement with our innovative method called “transformative gardening” which was inspired by raised beds and “regenerative gardening” science. We are taking organic to the next level by emphasizing healthy soil and huge diverse populations of soil microbes.
Deep Roots Project teaches how to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space and raised beds. We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. We use the latest soil science to build on the strengths of both organic and regenerative gardening with our innovative method called Transformational Gardening.
Soil health, our health, planet health
With help from the latest soil science we are taking organic to the next level in our new “Transformational Gardening” method. We nurture healthy soil teeming with huge diverse populations of soil micro-organisms (microbes and fungi) that feed and support healthy crops and healthy eco-systems. Our certified professional horticulturist Rafa Crevoshay, created an innovative, easy-to-use and economical food growing method for beginner and experienced gardeners with busy lives.
Transformational gardening combines the best practices of organic and regenerative farming and applies them to kitchen gardens with raised beds and large containers. Integrating the two systems addresses their shortcomings and adapts them to small growing spaces. The result is a robust and resilient ecological system that promotes soil health and crop biodiversity. Read our blog post Organic & Regenerative Farming for the full story.
Learn to work in partnership with nature.
Soil health is top priority. Healthy soil promotes healthy plants and large harvests. The foundation of soil health is robust microbial populations that feed on abundant organic matter. The soil microbes transport nutrients to plant roots in a form that the plants can use more efficiently. The healthy soil microbes and the plant roots have a mutual aid pact. They need each other and they feed each other. We want the soil microbes to do most of the gardening work for us. Read more about soil science in our post Compost, Microbes and Soil Science.
Become an eater who cares
Let us teach you how to grow your own food in a yard, in a pot, in a raised bed, or in a community garden. Deep Roots connects you to the Earth and connects you to each other.
People who grow their own food care about:
Nature, native plants and protecting wildlife habitats.
Reversing climate change by switching to soil friendly farming.
Food security and food access for everyone on the planet.
Healthy lifestyle and healthy eating for our family and community
Celebrating life & the magic of nature - Planting Seeds Music Video
Grow food with 3 powerful organic products
Three microbe-rich and nutrient-rich organic products take the place of traditional top soil, soil blends and traditional bagged organic fertilizers purchased at garden centers.
Microbe-rich worm castings (also called vermicompost)
Our microbe-rich compost is your “new soil.” From a farm near Chicago, Rafa, our horticulturist, chose microbe-rich organically certified compost, containing manure and made with heat-generating microbes. It’s OMRI certified organic. For simplicity we like to call the microbe-rich compost in our raised beds and containers “soil.” We just call it “compost” when we use it for planting and restoring microbes and nutrients in our raised beds and containers.
Uses of microbe-rich compost during the growing cycle.
Fill new raised beds and containers (Don’t use conventional soil for food)
Replenish microbes and nutrients for mid-season crops,
Plant seedlings and seeds in your beds along with worm castings
Use as a growing medium for starting seeds to transplant later
Use to cover beds and containers with a 2-inch layer in fall and spring OR at the start of a new growing season.
Blend with topsoil for growing non-food plants – flowers, native plants and ornamentals.
Our microbe-rich worm castings replace organic bagged fertilizer purchased at garden centers. It is our primary soil amendment. It is rich with micro-organisms & nutrients and used when planting seeds and seedlings (also called transplants). All worm castings are not equal. Our worm castings from a Wisconsin farm have more densely packed nutrients and micro-organisms than our compost because the worms are fed huge piles of composted manure. It’s powerful and gentle. Don’t worry about applying too much. View our worm castings store page and worm castings blog post.
Fish emulsion is a popular liquid organic fertilizer made from fish waste that is rich in nitrogen and microorganisms. It supplies the primary and secondary nutrients plants need to grow healthy and strong. And most importantly, it nourishes the beneficial micro-organisms that are in the soil. Buy it online or at garden centers.
Why we don't talk about fertilizer
We focus instead on robust populations of diverse microbes. It’s time to let go of your old beliefs about how to grow a successful food garden. We don’t use the word “fertilizer” because our system is based on the principle that robust populations of diverse microorganisms (microbes and fungi) will feed and support the plants far better than commercially manufactured fertilizers like nitrogen, magnesium and potassium. A diverse army of microbes make nutrients and other chemicals available to the plant’s root hairs is forms they can more easily absorb. If the delivery of nutrients and other essentials is functioning well, your plants will be strong, healthy and happy.
Transformational gardening is flexible
Customize it to your crop preferences and available time. It’s easier to learn than traditional organic gardening since we don’t use lots of different commercial fertilizers in specific amounts. Don’t worry how much worm castings you apply since it is very gentle. More will only make your plants happier. Adjust your developing gardening habits to fit the food you love to eat and your available time.
“Learn from your plants” is our horticulturist Rafa’s favorite phrase. Gardening is an evolving and enjoyable learning experience. It’s time to change old gardening and eating habits. Most traditional organic gardening organizations and master gardeners believe you cannot use 100% compost to fill raised beds and containers. But the new soil science and our experience prove otherwise.
Want to buy microbe-rich compost like ours outside the Chicago area? Gardeners in other areas can find organic microbe-rich compost made with heat-generating microbes and containing manure through the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) database. Make sure the vendors in your area don't use wood chips or tree waste. Contact our support team to help find a vendor in your area.
Don’t amend bad soil in your yard for a food garden. It’s not worth the labor and time. Plus, you don’t know what toxins are in the soil. Don’t buy bagged commercial soil even if it says organic on the label since it usually lacks optimal nutrition. Most bagged commercial soil labeled organic contains large amounts of shredded tree bark and doesn’t have the microbe and nutrients your food crops need.
Raised beds are best
Our co-executive director, Will Schreiber, designs and builds sturdy cedar raised beds in our Oak Park, IL workshop. Eastern red cedar has excellent rot resistance and resists insect attack. It is used as a “soil contact” wood. Our raised bed design prevents the cedar boards from breaking due to freezing and thawing soil during zones 5 and 6 cold winters.
We recommend cedar raised beds that are 15” high. Pine/fir wood raised beds are okay, but they rot much sooner than cedar. You should never use wood treated with chemicals for food gardens if you choose to construct your own raised beds. Learn more in our blog post Why Raised Beds Are Best. View our raised beds online store section.
“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
See the full list of our “Grow Your Own Food” blog posts divided into 6 categories. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call, send a text message or send an email to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299. If you leave a voicemail include the best times we can call you back.
Deep Roots online store
Buy raised beds at 2023 prices this fall for delivery in spring. We will raise prices in 2024.
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card on the store or by check.
Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.
Sign up for our newsletter
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.
Why Raised Beds Are Best
Of course, if you don’t have the space - you won’t be able to grow your food in a raised bed. But, we have yet to find any disadvantages to this growing method that guarantees you will provide the best soil for your plants to thrive.
Absolutely beautiful – they are custom made and there is nothing like them on the market (if you don’t see a style you like – call us for a custom quote). Built from the finest quality eastern cedar boards that are affordable, beautiful and long lasting (less expensive beds built from fir/pine are also available). We pick the wood up directly from the source to control quality!
Learn more about our growing method in two recently revised blog posts.
With raised beds choose your own soil
We don’t fill our beds with conventional soil. The most important benefit is that with raised beds YOU choose the soil rather than accepting the soil you have in your yard. Rafa Crevoshay, our horticulturist, carefully researched our options and chose to fill raised beds with a microbe and nutrient rich compost from a local dairy farm. Our gardeners grow healthy seedlings and mature plants right from their first growing experience.
Built for harsh winters year after year
Chicago-area food growers and in other areas with very cold winters should not try to save money on less durable wooden raised beds made from thinner boards. The materials won’t last, and the design/construction of other beds will not have the unique long lasting characteristics. If you build your own beds, don’t use “treated wood” since toxic chemicals leach into the soil. Also, remember that untreated pine raised beds rot after only a few years.
The expected lifespan of cedar raised beds can vary based on a number of factors, including the thickness of the boards, the design of the bed, and the climate in which it is located. However, in general, cedar is a durable and long-lasting wood that is resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage.
Our cedar raised beds are made with 1.125 inch thick boards lined up vertically with horizontal 2x4 boards at the top and bottom for added strength to withstand the expansion of freezing soil over winter. With proper care and maintenance, these beds could last for 10 to 20 years or even longer.
The climate in which the beds are located can also have an impact on their lifespan. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, but prolonged exposure to moisture, extreme heat, or freezing temperatures can cause the wood to deteriorate more quickly. In humid or rainy climates, it is especially important to ensure that the beds have proper drainage to prevent water from pooling and causing damage to the wood.
To extend the lifespan of cedar raised beds, it is recommended to regularly inspect the wood for signs of damage or decay, and to treat the wood with a protective coating or sealant to help prevent moisture from penetrating the surface. Additionally, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals or fertilizers that could leach into the soil and damage the wood over time.
Benefits of our raised beds
Super durable and designed to last longer due to thicker planks and a unique design that combines vertical and horizontal boards.
Withstands harsh winters. Freezing soil will not cause the wood to bow which occurs with beds using cheaper, thinner wood.
15 inches tall to allow space for deep-rooted veggies like tomatoes, more space for microbial populations to expand and can hold more water for a healthier ecosystem.
Custom sizes and accessories for the raised beds and smaller planter boxes. We also make beds on legs and beds with a trellis.
Bunny-resistant: Bunnies are unable to climb over our reinforced top overhang and thick ledge.
Varnishing the beds is optional to preserve the cedar colors.
We deliver in our truck and install beds with soil in the greater Chicago area.
We have yet to discover the disadvantages to growing food in raised beds. The list of the advantages below was put together by the University of Georgia extension. Almost all university websites promote raised bed benefits. All of the raised beds benefits are identical for our smaller custom planter boxes.
Grow more food in limited space
Prevents of soil compaction and plant damage: One of the greatest advantages of raised beds comes from the protection the structure provides from foot traffic. The soil does not get compacted and plants are less likely to be damaged.
Longer growing season: Raised beds warm up more quickly in the spring.
Less weeding and maintenance: Once the soil in a raised bed has stabilized, compaction is almost non-existent.
Better drainage: A well-prepared raised bed allows the soil to drain better than in an in-ground garden (DRP NOTE: this depends on the soil that you put into the bed, of course).
Easier soil amendments: A raised bed can enable crop growth in an area that otherwise would not support gardening. On steep slopes, raised beds can act as a form of terracing. Raised beds can be built on parking lots and other compacted, difficult-to-garden urban soils.
Material conservation: Because the gardening space is concentrated, the management of water, fertilizer, mulch and soil amendments can be more carefully controlled, leading to less waste.
Access for gardeners with disabilities: Raised beds, at the proper height, can improve access for wheelchairs, or for gardeners who have a hard time bending over.
SOURCE: Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardens | UGA Cooperative Extension
Our Innovative Food Gardening Method
Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.
Our online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.
Stay in touch
Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.
Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.