We recently had the pleasure of joining Robyn Bilson in her backyard for a fun, hands-on day of planting in her raised beds. We (Jordi and Devin) walked her through soil prep, plant placement, companion planting, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, these tips will help you grow a lush, thriving garden right at home.
Step One: Soil Prep—Layer for Success
Great gardens start from the ground up. At Robyn’s, we built her beds using a layering method that creates a healthy soil foundation:
- Bottom Layer: We added hay, leaves, and grass clippings. This encourages drainage and will break down into compost over time.
- Middle Layer: Forest mulch goes in next to deliver long-lasting nutrients.
- Top Layer: We topped it off with raised bed mix and boosted it with worm castings, Yum Yum Mix, and root stimulator from Fox Farm. We also coated the roots with Mykos, a beneficial fungus that promotes root health.
Tip: Yum Yum Mix is your garden’s best friend. You can’t overdo it! Use it not just in beds but around trees, shrubs, flowers, and veggies.
Designing the Layout: Form Meets Function
Before digging in, we helped Robyn lay out her garden with a thoughtful plan. Trellised plants like tomatoes went near supports, while lower-growing crops were placed along the edges to maximize sunlight and airflow.
Armed with a Milwaukee knife and a Burgon & Ball scoop, we got to work planting everything in the right spot. We also used a root drench—a water-based soak that helps jumpstart strong root growth—and sprinkled beneficial fungus at the bottom of each planting hole for good measure.
Flower Friends: Companion Planting for a Healthier Garden
We encouraged Robyn to add flowers into her raised beds for beauty and function:
- Marigolds: Great for pest control and filling small gaps.
- Zinnias: Taller and loved by pollinators—perfect for bed edges.
- Snapdragons: Colorful and compact.
Avoid wave petunias in the beds. They’ll dominate and steal nutrients from your veggies.
Some varieties of Salvia are great, but we recommend planting those in nearby pots instead of mixing them directly in.
Pest Control: Stay Ahead of the Bugs
In our Amarillo climate, proactive pest control is key:
- Use Neem oil weekly or biweekly to fight spider mites and early-season pests.
- As summer heats up, Spinosad becomes necessary.
- You can also release beneficial insects like ladybugs or cloister mites to keep your garden balanced and healthy.
Watering Wisdom: Group, Irrigate, and Be Strategic
We talked about water strategy with Robyn, especially important in our hot and dry climate:
- Group plants by water needs. Tomatoes and leafy greens like more water; peppers, basil, radishes, and strawberries prefer less.
- Install irrigation to ensure consistent watering—especially helpful for busy gardeners.
- Avoid overhead watering, since Amarillo’s hard water can damage foliage. Water from the ground up instead.
- Water in the morning to reduce evaporation and help plants absorb more effectively after a cool night.
Our Favorite Pro Tips
- Keep jalapeños separate from sweet peppers. If they cross, you’ll end up with hot sweet peppers!
- Pinch off the first flower on pepper plants and strip a few lower leaves to promote strong upward growth.
- Mint is a garden bully—keep it contained in a large pot. We even planted one in a terracotta pot sunk into the garden bed for beauty and control.
- Slow-release fertilizer like Fox Farm was the finishing touch—we sprinkled it around the base of each plant. It activates with water and feeds slowly over time.
The Final Step: Water It In and Watch It Grow
With everything planted, watered, and fertilized, Robyn’s raised beds are ready to thrive. We’re so excited to come back in a few weeks and see how it all fills in!
The most important tip? Have fun with your garden. Plant what you love, experiment with new things, and let your space reflect your personality. Whether you’re gardening with your kids or just enjoying quiet time outside, your garden should bring you joy.
