Dwarsbeet

Dwarsbeet is a term used in Dutch horticulture to describe a type of bed layout in which planting beds are arranged crosswise, or perpendicular, to a planned axis such as a slope, irrigation line, or garden path. The exact practice associated with the term can vary by region, but it generally refers to a cross-oriented bed system that helps manage drainage, access, and soil quality in small-scale gardens and allotments.

In construction and design, a dwarsbeet typically consists of raised or mounded soil ridges separated by narrow walkways. The ridges may be formed to improve drainage on heavier soils and to create convenient, walkable plots for planting, weeding, and harvesting. Some interpretations emphasize the use of cross ridges on sloped ground to slow runoff and reduce erosion, while others focus on the practical arrangement of beds for easier access and crop rotation in compact spaces.

Advantages of the dwarsbeet concept include better drainage and soil warming in raised beds, easier hand weeding, and improved organization of a garden or allotment. It is most commonly found in traditional or small-scale horticultural settings rather than in large-scale mechanized farming.

The term dwarsbeet highlights regional terminology in Dutch-speaking areas and may appear in historical or local horticultural guides. For broader concepts of bed layouts, see raised beds and bedding layouts.