However this also means they can be expensive to fill. There are some wonderful no-build options, like galvanized raised beds , which have become popular. Actual stock tanks only require removing a plug for drainage, while modern kits, like Birdies Raised Beds , have the stock tank look of the frame, but are bottomless and much lighter.
Another option is to consider elevated raised beds. These raised beds sit on legs. While they are less deep than a stock tank, for example, they are deep enough to grow an abundance of vegetables. Jessica has shared some growing tips in her article about elevated raised beds. My friends at Bufco The Backyard Urban Farm Co have created a wheelchair accessible raised bed that allows for a wheelchair to be rolled right up to the garden, rather than having to pull in sideways.
Though only five and a half inches 14 cm deep, it provides ample space to grow a variety of beans, herbs, radishes, and even some tomato varieties. Then, line the top half of the stock tank with landscape fabric. This means only filling about half the raised bed with soil. I refer to this tip as false bottom fakery. Another budget-saving tip for a tall raised bed is to fill the bottom third with yard waste—sticks and twigs, composted leaves, etc. The bottom layer is strictly to fill up some of the space.
Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar. How deep should a raised garden bed be?
Raised beds can be any size, but depending on where you place one, depth is important. If the soil underneath is hard-packed or clay, for example, your plants need to be able to comfortably grow within the parameters of the garden without their roots needing to reach into the subsoil.
This means gardeners should be able to easily access the bed from all sides. Plan raised beds that are 3 feet wide for children and 4 feet wide for adults. If providing wheelchair access, plan raised beds that are 2 feet wide for children and 3 feet wide for adults.
The length of a bed is not as critical as the width, but bear in mind that very long raised beds can be a hassle to walk and work around. While the length of a raised bed will be partly determined by available materials, keep in mind that the cost of lumber increases noticeably if the length is more than 12 feet. The higher the bed, the more imported soil will be required. This will add to the cost and labor involved in the garden project.
In some situations, raised planters can be built that are 10 inches deep, but elevated off the ground with legs or blocks. This is ideal for wheelchair access and also saves on imported soil. However, the bottom must be strong enough to both hold the weight of the soil when it is wet and still allow water to drain.
A few other considerations to keep in mind:. If possible, beds should be laid out in a pattern that allows access to one central path that stretches from one end of the garden to the other.
A wider central path provides room for gathering and access for everyone. If it is a very large garden, more than one such path will prove useful. To provide access for a small truck, make this path at least 10 feet wide. Gardeners also need paths to move from bed to bed on foot and sometimes in a wheelchair.
In general, the worse the underlying soil, the deeper you will want a bed to maximize the amount of good soil available to plants. And, more depth means more room for roots to grow. Deeper beds hold more soil and, thus, more moisture, reducing watering needs. Remember that the taller the sides, the more pressure the weight of the soil places on them. You may need to compensate with thicker wood or cross supports to prevent the wood from bowing.
Raised beds are traditionally made using naturally rot-resistant cedar. But, honestly you can build the bed wall with almost any material that will contain the soil, including stone, woven willow, and concrete.
For vegetable and herb gardens it is important to avoid using pressure-treated lumber, which can leach heavy metals into the soil. Untreated, naturally rot-resistant lumber is the gold standard of building materials.
Be sure to use eco-friendly stains and paints that are safe to use on edible beds for more detail see our 5 Favorite Eco Friendly Stains. A raised garden bed is an easy DIY project. Essentially you build a bottomless box. Search for:. Space efficiency. A great choice for the urban farmer, most raised beds are from 3 to 4 feet wide, good for small spaces and a size that enables you to reach plants without stepping in.
Also, because the gardener works from adjacent paths, all the space in the bed can be devoted to planting. Plant protection. You plants are safe from the threat of wayward feet of people and pets. Pest barrier. Raised beds offer a strong defense against plant-eating pests such as slugs and snails. Tall sides thwart non-burrowing critters, and barriers—such as hardware cloth—can be placed underneath to keep burrowing, root-eating pests at bay. Fewer weeds.
In densely planted beds, weeds have little room to grow. It is also common to place weed barrier fabric under a bed. And, if weeds do sneak into the raised bed neighborhood, the loose soil makes it easy to remove them. An added architectural element, raised beds add an appealing geometry to a garden.
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