The Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening

What Are Raised Garden Beds?

As the name implies, a raised garden bed is any type of garden bed that is physically raised up higher than the surrounding ground. Control over the soil content and easier planting and maintenance are some of the many benefits of raised bed gardening.

Types of Raised Garden Beds

There are essentially two types of raised garden beds. First, those where the walls of the bed sit on the ground. Second, those that sit on legs a few feet off the ground. Both serve the same purpose. Your choice really just depends on your needs and preference. Beds sitting on the ground are simpler to implement. However, free-standing raised garden beds can be a real back saver.

A wide variety of materials can be used to make raised garden beds. Wood, metal and plastic are the most common. Frames can be relatively easily and inexpensively constructed using old pallets or fence pickets. There are also many commercially available options in a wide range of prices.   

Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

There are many benefits to raised bed gardening and most of them center around the ability to isolate the garden from the surrounding landscape. Full control of the soil quality is one of the biggest benefits. Especially useful in areas where soil is sandy, rocky or clay based, raised garden beds provide an easier option for creating the perfect soil rather than having to cultivate and amend larger areas.

Soil Control

Soil for the raised bed garden is available for purchase by the bag or can be made at home by mixing 50% regular topsoil with 50% compost and adding some coco coir, sand or vermiculite for aeration. Leaf mold and worm castings are a good addition to increase fertility and enhance the soil structure. Take it one step further and embrace the principles of hugelkultur by starting with a base of rotting wood and sticks. 

Isolating the soil also provides an opportunity for proper drainage in areas where water may otherwise drain too fast or too slowly. Adding a layer of gravel or organic material and creating more drainage holes can help to avoid soggy soil in wet climates. Drainage holes can also easily be blocked off to retain more moisture during dry times.  

Weed and Pest Control

Weeds and pests are also easier to control in raised garden beds. By starting with fresh soil and keeping it isolated from surrounding soil, many weeds will fail to take hold. For beds placed on the ground, a layer of cardboard underneath can also help. 

Effective pest control is another important benefit of raised bed gardening. Keeping pests away from garden plants is normally difficult because there is no way to create an effective barrier. Raised garden beds help to overcome this by creating a border around the bed. Barriers can be installed on the edges to prevent slugs, netting will deter rabbits and a layer of hardware cloth on the bottom will eliminate mole damage. The confined area also means that pest repellent plants and natural insecticides have a better chance of success.

Better Ergonomics

Avoiding all the digging in hard ground is one benefit of raised bed gardening, but your back will be happier for the rest of the season, as well. Especially with legged beds that stand a few feet off the ground, raised beds make routine maintenance much more enjoyable. These elevated or off-grade raised beds can be specifically designed for easy wheelchair accessibility, as well.

Warmer Soil

For those in cooler climates, raised beds can be an excellent way to prolong the growing season. Sunlight can more easily heat up the soil in a raised bed. A heavy layer of leaf mulch around the outside and a plastic cover can create even better conditions for a head start on the season or an extra few weeks after first frost.

Less Erosion and Compaction

By raising beds off the ground, gardeners can also reduce the effects of foot traffic on soil compaction and at the same time eliminate erosion where drainage issues are present. Raised beds can really make a difference on sloping areas.

Raised Bed Considerations

While raised beds have a lot of advantages, they’re not a universal landscape solution. The structure that does such a good job of retaining soil may simply not look that great in your landscape. Plants can also outgrow the confines of the raised bed and the restricted depth may not work well for deep rooted plants. As a result, we most often see raised beds being used for annual vegetable crops rather than decorative plants and perennials.

If your landscape suffers from some of the soil or drainage problems we’ve mentioned above, raised bed gardening may be a good solution. Jerry Pate Design is always here to help with more options to correct issues in your landscape. Please get in contact to see how we can make your outdoor spaces look their best.