Gardening in raised beds looks super fun, no doubt. Plus, when done the right way, it is also very aesthetically pleasing and makes excellent use of space.
However, the questions always remain - "are the extra costs worth it?", "is it really needed in outdoor gardens?". These are some questions this blog will answer for you. So, read on!
• What Really Is Gardening in Raised Beds?
Essentially, raised bed gardening involves growing vegetables, herbs, or fruits in soil that is enclosed and elevated above ground level. The enclosure or frame is generally made of wood, stone, or metal.
When adding raised beds in gardens, one of the best things is that you have complete control over the soil quality. This soil thus ensures better nutrients, aeration, drainage, and a controlled growing environment.
Apart from soil quality control, there are also several other benefits of growing plants in raised garden beds that leave you wanting more. Here are a few!
• Benefits of Planting Raised Garden Beds: What Makes it Ideal for All Gardens?
Yes, creating raised beds in gardens means bearing extra costs. But, more often than not, these costs are worth it if you're looking for proper quality control and healthier, faster growth.
Here are some benefits of raised bed gardening that will have you hooked and wanting more:
1. Better Soil Quality
Since you are creating a whole new enclosure for your raised beds, you have space to plant new seeds and plants from scratch. So, you have complete control over the soil that you add to this enclosure.
You can ensure the usage of a potting soil mix that has ingredients such as Coco Peat, Perlite, and more to ensure better aeration and drainage for your plants.
Perfect customization = perfect growth!
2. Enhanced Drainage
The elevated garden beds make sure that any excess water has proper space for optimal drainage. So, the bed does not retain any more water than it needs to, thus ensuring proper hydration for your plants and reducing the risk of overwatering.
3. Fewer Weeds and Pests
Since building raised garden beds ensures that you have a whole new environment to grow your plants and seeds in, you automatically get the benefit of a more controlled space.
Whether you're growing fruits, seeds, or herbs, you have complete control over what grows in your garden bed. This minimizes weed intrusion and also deters ground-level pests.
This just made your garden maintenance process 10x easier!
4. Greater Accessibility
In-ground gardening is not necessarily the easiest thing because it involves a lot of bending, sitting down on the ground, and kneeling over things to sow things, prune, and do overall maintenance.
However, when you choose to have raised beds in garden spaces, you can customize the height according to your preference and convenience. This also makes gardening easier and more accessible to senior citizens & physically disabled.
5. Excellent Space Efficiency
Raised beds maximize limited garden space, making them perfect for urban homes and small yards.
With the right understanding of how to make use of garden beds, you can reap all the benefits that come with them. So, the next step is understanding how you can start planting raised garden beds in your own space. Let's get into it!
• How Can You Start Gardening in Raised Beds?
Here's a step-by-step guide on how you can start your raised bed gardens:
1. Pick the Right Spot
With most gardens, the biggest concern is - "will my plants get enough sunlight?", and well, with raised bed gardens, you can conveniently eliminate this concern!
When trying to figure out where to place your garden beds, remember to pick the right spot. Ideally, you must first figure out which plants for garden beds you want to make use of.
One section of the garden beds must just be for those plants that need 6-8 hours of direct. The other section must be for those that do well in shaded areas. This way, pick different spots to set up raised beds in garden spaces everywhere, and ensure that there is space and accommodation for every plant!
2. Bed Size and Material Selection
Choose durable materials like wood, metal, bricks, or stone for the raised bed frame. A common size is 4 feet wide (to reach the center easily) and 6-12 inches deep.
3. Preparing the Base
Clear the ground of grass and weeds. Lay down cardboard or landscape fabric to suppress weeds and improve drainage.
4. Select the Right Soil Mix
Fill the bed with a nutrient-rich mix: 60% garden soil, 30% compost or cow manure, and 10% perlite or sand for aeration and drainage.
5. Pick and Plan with the Right Plants for Garden Beds
Choose plants based on sunlight and season—vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Arrange taller plants at the back to avoid shading smaller ones.
6. Water and Maintain
After planting, water deeply and regularly. Add mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Fertilize and maintain as needed throughout the growing season.
Due to the benefits of extended growing seasons, better drainage and aeration, and minimal bothers from weeds and ground-level pests; we truly believe that gardening in raised beds is entirely worth the extra cost and effort.
So, start your own garden beds at home and enjoy the most wonderful, wholesome harvests year-round!
Shop Plant Care Products for All Your Garden Plants
