How Deep Should Raised Garden Beds Be? (2024)

When deciding on a raised garden bed, one of the major factors is the depth requirements of the raised garden bed. If you’re placing your raised bed on a patio or a terrain where the soil underneath is not conducive to growth, then it is important to grow your plants within the parameters of the bed itself. A raised bed should be able to blend in well with its surroundings as well as adequately support the roots of your plants. The required soil depth depends on the types of plants grown, the soil conditions, and desired aesthetic. Other important considerations include the shape, size, and material chosen for the raised garden bed. Since there are a dazzling array of designs available worldwide, choosing one can be a tough decision to make.

However, the large variety of patterns available guarantees that there is a match for every type of landscape, budget and style. A raised bed can either be informal or formal, depending on your preference and garden situation. We recommend displaying vegetable gardens in modern, industrial metal beds, which can prove to be an attractive focal point of your garden, and significantly brighten up dull spaces or outdoor dining areas. It is important to keep in mind that the size of the bed should be proportional to the space around it. If you have limited space, it is best to buy modular raised garden kits, which will allow you to customize your beds based on your available space. This article examines the soil depth requirements for various types of yards and plants.

Drainage: Whether it be an irregularly-shaped perennial border garden that sits behind a dry-stone wall, or a metal raised bed in a vegetable garden, one should always consider the depth of the raised bed carefully. A raised bed does not always require a significant depth for it to be effective. They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.

Because of the excellent drainage properties of raised beds, it is possible to grow an abundance of vegetables in a limited amount of space. In cases where drainage is an issue, or if the plants that you are planning to grow prefer an environment with drier soil, then the depth of your raised garden bed can be taller, which can then be filled up with a porous growing medium.

Material: The material you use for a particular raised bed should be durable, attractive and stable. It is important to consider the material of your garden bed, which determines how well it blends in with the landscape. The sides of the bed lend structural support to the and help contain the soil in a particular space. The sides of raised garden beds can be metal panels, wood, or brick and stone. While it is important to consider the depth of your raised garden beds when browsing for raised garden bed designs, it is also important to consider the material of your garden bed.

Traditional metal panels, while easy to install, can rust over time, diminishing its attractiveness and usefulness. Wood will rot in as little as one season. Stone and concrete blocks can be expensive to install. Also, many gardeners do not want the hassle of buying raw material and assembling them for a DIY raised garden bed project. We recommend Vego Garden beds for an easy solution. Vego raised garden beds are made of a specialized rust and corrosion resistant metal and lend a clean, modern aesthetic to your garden. Our kits are easy to assemble, and complete with heavy duty rubber edging along the top to ensure a safe and fun experience.

Double Digging: Some gardeners choose to dig below the ground using their shovel to create more space for their roots, especially if they have a crowded or shallow garden bed. This process, known as double digging, can be time consuming and arduous. Vego Garden beds are tall enough that you don’t have to dig into the ground. You can simply place your raised bed anywhere in your yard after clearing the ground of debris.

Gardeners should slightly overfill their gardening beds, because the soil will compact over time with watering. As a tip, you should add an extra 2 inches of soil over your garden bed, and water the soil to see how much it compresses.

Vegetable Beds: On the other hand, when it comes to vegetable beds, the bed must be approximately 12 to 18 inches deep to ensure adequate depth for the roots of your plants. This is especially important if your raised bed is placed on cement or the patio, which will inhibit roots from growing deeper into the ground. Below are the root depth requirements of a few common garden plants. Since our garden beds are 17″ and 32″ deep, they are deep enough to cultivate a medley of vegetables, including those with deep root systems. A deeper bed also allows for more moisture retention, leading to less watering and chance of drying out.

The following plants have 12 - 18 roots

  • Garlic, onions, chives
  • Lettuce, brussels sprouts, spinach
  • Corn, cabbage, radishes
  • Strawberries

The following plants have 18 - 24 roots

  • Beans, peas
  • Cantaloupes, squash, eggplants
  • Carrots, turnips, beets
  • Potatoes

Below are plants with deeper systems of 24 - 36″ roots

  • Artichokes, asparagus
  • Parsnips, rhubarb
  • Sweet potatoes, pumpkins
  • Watermelons

Plant Arrangements:

When planning out the components of your raised garden bed, it is important to orient your crops so that taller plants don’t block shorter plants from receiving sunlight. Beds should face South horizontally, which optimizes sun exposure across the bed and prevents neighboring plants from shading each other as the sun moves from East to West. If you are growing a variety of plants, you can orient your bed vertically (North to South), positioning the taller plants in the back to prevent them from shading shorter plants. Do not situate your garden bed in windy locations or near wet and marshy areas.

It is important to know the height of each crop at maturity in order to plan out your planting arrangements. To illustrate, shorter plants such as lettuce and radishes should be planted on the south side, while the tallest plants should be planted on the northern side of the area. If you have a trellis, it is important to keep it near the rear wall, as those plants can block out a large amount of light. Below are the heights of some popular vegetables at maturity:

Vegetable

Size at Maturity

Vegetable

Size at Maturity

Artichokes

4' - 5'

Leeks

12" – 24"

Arugula

8" - 10"

Lettuce

6" – 12"

Garlic

12" – 24"

Onions

8" – 24"

Corn

4' – 8'

Peas

2' – 6'

Beans (lima)

24" – 36"

Watermelon

12" – 36"

Beans (pole)

8' – 12'

Parsnips

6" – 18"

Tomatoes

2' – 8'

Potatoes

12" – 30"

Cabbage

12" – 18"

Turnips

6" – 12"

Bending Over:

If you experience mobility issues, back strain, or simply dislike bending over, a taller raised garden bed will improve your gardening experience. Our extra tall 32″ garden bed kits significantly reduce back strain when you are tending or harvesting your garden. Whether you are a more experienced gardener or a beginner, we definitely recommend you invest in a raised garden bed to reduce the toll that straining your back can have on your health.

32" Extra Tall 9 In 1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit

$329.95 $279.95

Our extra tall 32" height eliminates bending and strain on your back when you tend to your garden, as well as creates plenty of space for healthy roots.…

How Deep Should Raised Garden Beds Be? (2)

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How Deep Should Raised Garden Beds Be? (2024)

FAQs

How Deep Should Raised Garden Beds Be? ›

The minimum required depth depends on the plant. But on average, a raised garden bed should accommodate about 20 inches of soil for the roots of flowers and vegetables.

What is the best depth for raised beds? ›

The Best Height for Raised Beds

Keep in mind that beds 18 inches deep or more will have better drainage than shorter beds. While most plants don't need anything deeper than 18 inches, I prefer beds that are two feet deep (24 inches). The extra height is mostly just for the ease and convenience of the gardener.

How deep should a raised bed be for tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes should ideally be grown in a raised bed that's at least 15 to 18 inches deep. Many of my clients in Houston are successfully growing tomatoes in 12-inch deep raised garden beds, but their plants tend to be a little stunted compared to plants in deeper beds.

What do you put in the bottom of a raised garden bed? ›

Layer the bottom with cardboard or newspaper as a weed barrier, which will decompose over time. Then, use a mix of yard waste, leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps layered with soil and compost.

Is 10 inches deep enough for raised bed? ›

To ensure future flexibility for crop rotation, it's crucial to build raised beds with sufficient depth. Aim for a minimum depth of eight inches, but if possible, go for twelve inches.

How many bags of soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed? ›

For a 4x8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel's Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed. It usually takes about two to three bags of purchased fertile mix (1.5 cubic feet each) to cover the bed surface to a depth of 2 inches.

How shallow can a raised garden bed be? ›

Six inches is enough to grow lettuce greens, herbs, and plants with very shallow root structures. If you're not quite ready to commit to building a full raised bed, try grabbing a six-inch deep container that's at least a foot wide, and try growing your own lettuce plants.

What are three mistakes to avoid when gardening with raised beds? ›

Seven Beginner Raised Bed Gardening Mistakes to Avoid
  • Picking The Wrong Spot.
  • Not Thinking About The Water Source.
  • Raised Beds Placed Too Close Together.
4 days ago

Why put cardboard in raised beds? ›

It acts as a physical barrier to block out pernicious weeds. Usually, 2 – 3 layers of cardboard will suffice, though you may want layers in more weed-prone areas. The damp environment created by the cardboard is conducive to earthworms and other beneficial soil microorganisms.

Do you put landscape fabric under raised beds? ›

Depending on your budget and gardening goals, you can line the bottom of your raised garden beds with wide-mesh hardware cloth, stainless steel mesh, landscape fabric, burlap sack, or newspaper/cardboard.

How high should you fill a raised bed with soil? ›

Soil and compost are then filled into the raised beds to a depth just a few inches (8 cm.) below its rim. A few flaws with this are that while many vegetable plants need a depth of 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.) for good root development, rabbits can still get into beds that are less than 2 feet (61 cm.)

How deep does a raised bed need to be for cucumbers? ›

Medium-rooting vegetables like kale, cucumbers, and zucchini love at least 18 inches. A 2-foot bed is ideal for these types of vegetables, as well as fruits that grow on bushes like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

What vegetables need deep soil? ›

Pumpkins, winter squash, and watermelons have deep roots that go down 24 to 36 inches or more. Tomatoes, artichokes, okra, and sweet potatoes also have deep roots.

How deep do raised beds need to be for potatoes? ›

Raised beds should be at least 12 inches deep and filled to about six inches with a good planter mix and lots of compost. Locate them where they will get at least 4 to 6 hours per day of unobstructed sun.

What is the best height for a raised vegetable bed? ›

The relationship between garden bed height and root depth is significant. Plant roots require enough space to spread out and access nutrients and water. With a 24-inch height, plants can develop healthy root systems without being constrained by limited space.

How deep should a raised bed be for strawberries? ›

Start with raised beds that are non-toxic and at least 10-12” deep. Grow strawberries in full sunlight. Fill raised beds with loamy, rich soil. Choose everbearing or day-neutral varieties.

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