![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/communitygarden\/files\/2012\/05\/Raised-Bed1.jpg\")
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- Grow food everywhere by building good soil up,\u00a0even in marginal areas<\/li>\n
- Reduce compaction by walking around the plantings, not on the soil- more oxygen for roots!<\/li>\n
- Extend the growing season- soil warms up earlier in the spring<\/li>\n
- Allows for good drainage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/communitygarden\/files\/2012\/05\/Cardboard-Mulch-300x225.jpg\")
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Laying down cardboard mulch in the fall keeps the beds weed-free until planting time in the spring. The cardboard also encourages worms to till the soil underneath.\u00a0Mulches retain moisture and prevent erosion.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/communitygarden\/files\/2012\/05\/Clover-Bed-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nClover is a\u00a0green mulch covering the soil to crowd out weeds, retain moisture, and\u00a0increases the\u00a0usable nitrogen\u00a0in the soil.<\/p>\n
Nodules on the roots of clover and other legumes are home to rhizobia bacteria that are able to take free nitrogen from the air and convert it to nitrogen compounds that plants can use to build proteins essential for growth.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/communitygarden\/files\/2012\/05\/Harvesting-Compost-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nComposting weeds, leaves, paper toweling, and kitchen scraps helps\u00a0us return nutrients to the soil\u00a0for healthy produce season\u00a0after season.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/communitygarden\/files\/2012\/05\/Rain-barrel-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nRain barrels\u00a0collect rain water from nearby\u00a0roofs. Our two barrels can hold 50 gallons each. This water is used first before drawing water from a faucet for conservation and optimal growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The vision for these gardens is to grow food crops using organic, sustainable methods. Raised beds have benefits- Grow food everywhere by building good soil up,\u00a0even in marginal areas Reduce compaction by walking around the plantings, not on the soil- more oxygen for roots! Extend the growing season- soil warms up earlier in the spring … Continue reading About the Garden<\/span>