The Benefits Of Using A Raised Bed For Growing Vegetables And Flowers

Raised beds are also known as “self-watering beds” because they automatically water their crops. They are typically constructed from wood planks, bricks, stones, concrete blocks, or gravel-filled plastic pipes.

These materials allow rainwater to drain into the bottom of the bed. This allows nutrients and minerals to seep into the dirt, improving quality. Also, there are serval benefits to look forward to. What’s the benefit? Let’s find out.

Here are the Benefits of a raised bed

1. Easy and faster than planting in ground soil

One of the raised beds above can be built by one person in less than an hour. The assembly time is only 20 minutes if you use an electric drill and two people.

It is possible to set up and plant on the same day if it is planned correctly, according to Rideg, the Master Gardener. As the soil in raised beds warms up more quickly than ground soil, it is virtually ready for planting as soon as it’s ready.”

2. The soil doesn’t need to be dug – perfect for hard and rocky terrain

You’ll need sharp tools and motorized or electric equipment to dig in hard-packed soil. If you’ve ever dug in rocky soil, you know it’s challenging and time-consuming.

“Since you’re using brought-in soil, it doesn’t matter what the soil composition is,” said Ridge, who suggests using organic soil designed specifically for raised beds to provide plants with all the nutrients they need.

3. Facilitates crop rotation

With several raised beds, you can rotate all your crops yearly.

Rotating tomato plants to a new box at least every other year is recommended. This will allow soil bacteria to die off before planting another tomato in the same place.

4. Easy to install arches, trellis, covers, and fences

The trellis and arches will make it easy to plant cherry tomatoes or certain types of flowers when they need extra support. Since raised beds have sides attached to the covers, you can easily cover them (for example, during a frost).

“You can add fences to raised beds easily, too, to protect your garden from animals like deer,” said Rideg, since poles can be attached directly to the corners of the boxes.

5. Less compact soil is easier to weed

With raised beds, you won’t have to worry much about weeds.

Planting directly into ground soil can be time-consuming, but when using raised beds, de-weeding is virtually impossible. It can be time-consuming to maintain weeds when planting directly into the ground.

6. Soil composition can be easily controlled

Raised beds allow you to choose the soil that goes in them. So you won’t have to guess what’s inside. You can place additional soil and fertilizers where needed in raised beds. “It’s easier to amend your soil and fertilize,” said Ridge.

7. Provides more people with access to gardening

Since you can use a raised bed in urban and rural areas in an area as small as a porch or patio, more people can access gardening. And when using elevated raised beds that are high enough to reach without bending, people with mobility issues can enjoy gardening.

8. Easier to water

You must keep vegetables and flowers watered daily if you’re growing vegetables and flowers in pots. With a raised bed, you must remember to water once a week—no need to constantly check the soil’s moisture level.

9. Allows you to grow larger plants

As mentioned, you can grow taller vegetables such as cucumbers, melons, squash, pumpkins, and sunflowers.

10. It allows you to grow even more varieties

You can grow various fruits and vegetables using raised beds simultaneously. For instance, you can plant strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, onions, eggplants, and herbs together in one raised bed.

11. Efficient use of space

Raised beds use less land than traditional gardens because you only need half as much. For example, if you have two raised beds next to each other on opposite ends of your yard, you’ll only need half of the space. That means you’ll have twice as much room in your yard for playing, sitting outside, or relaxing.

12. Keeps pests away

Raised beds naturally discourage pests by keeping them out of the ground. They also reduce the number of bugs and rodents near your home.

13. It makes it possible to have a more productive garden

You can increase productivity by adding compost to your raised beds. Compost helps retain nutrients and allows you to grow more food per square foot.

14. Aesthetics matter

Raised beds provide a clean look to your landscape. They give your yard a modern feel while still maintaining its natural appearance. Your neighbors will appreciate it, too.

15. Easy to maintain

Because raised beds are above ground, they require little work and upkeep. Just water them regularly and add fertilizer when necessary.

16. Improves air quality

Raised beds allow you to create a microclimate that keeps pollutants out and fresh air in. This reduces the amount of pollution that gets into your home.

17. Simple maintenance

When you use a raised bed, there’s no need to remove weeds manually. Instead, you can use a weeder tool to pull them up before they mature.

18. Adds value to your property

Raised beds can help you sell your house quickly. In addition, because these beds make your yard appear cleaner, they will appeal to potential buyers.

Are there any disadvantages of a raised bed?

Things have pros and cons on both sides. Raised beds aren’t any different. Here are some of the cons of raised beds:

• There is no way around the need to buy soil unless you want low spots in your yard.
• The cost of building them is high.
• Summer is the driest time of the year for soil.
• Watering is required more often.
• The walls and soil need to be purchased and transported, which makes it less sustainable.
• The material used to construct the walls is causing some concern regarding chemical leaching.
• Except in early spring, the soil becomes warmer, which is not good for roots.
• Since raised beds get colder in winter, perennials need to be hardier.
• The rows between beds should be wider if you use a wheelbarrow with a taller wall.
• Installing drip irrigation is more challenging.
• Fall is a cooler time of year for soil.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Conclusion

Embracing the benefits of using a raised bed in your gardening endeavors can elevate your gardening game. It provides a more controlled environment for growing plants and offers improved soil quality, better drainage, and easier access for gardeners of all ages and abilities. Plus, the aesthetic appeal of a well-designed raised bed can enhance the beauty of your outdoor space.