Think your veg garden needs a lift? RHS expert Leigh Hunt shares tips on when raised beds are useful
Growing vegetables in raised beds makes me feel like I’m a good gardener. When I glance across the plot, everything appears to be orderly and that subliminally tells me I’m on top of my veg growing game.
That’s often a lie, of course. But even if the carrots are measly and the fennel doesn’t bulb, I’m soothed by the neat patterns.
There’s even some published science behind this which suggests that the brain looks for patterns where none exist. So at least I’m predictable, if not always reasoned.
The rise of raised beds has been phenomenal in the last 30 years. Once they were largely championed at places like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as an aid to reduce bending down and improve access for all.
By the 1990s, when the Ground Force era of TV garden makeovers was in full swing, these wooden structures had become a designer choice. And it’s this mix of ideas that raised beds are stylish yet practical which has made them a mainstayfeature in our veg plots.
Do I need raised beds?
Like a lot of garden features, whether you actually need them is another matter. It may come as a shock, but you can grow vegetables just as well in the ground as a raised bed. Rhetoric I know.
What makes vegetables grow is good soil (plus moisture and sunshine). You can have good soil in the ground and good soil in raised beds.
The only time where raised beds are really needed is where the garden soil is waterlogged. By lifting the soil above ground level it will drain and that’s great for permanent crops (such as rhubarb and asparagus) that would otherwise rot in the winter wet.
This also highlights that a wooden frame that contains soil at the same level as the surrounding ground is not a raised bed; and so doesn’t bring these benefits. However, it still looks nicely edged.
If you make a raised bed, you will have to put in more soil to raise the soil level. This leads to those two key questions: what and where from? It is best to fill the bed mainlywith soilas it doesn’t break down and slump in a few seasons (unlikegarden compost or potting compost).
I’ve pinched soil from borders around the garden and just enriched it with a couple of bucketfuls of manure per square metre. Bagged topsoil is good too; just expensive.
What about the cost?
Talking of expense, the price of timber edging has gone through the roof in the last couple of years. However, I’ve found my local recycling centre has a timber shop and they sometimes have ‘pallet collars’.
These four hinged boards are ready made frames that can be stacked to make taller beds. Just apply a water-based wood preservative to make then longer lasting. Alternatively, new sleepers and treated wood don’t contain the nasty chemicals of old so are fine for edible crops – and if you want to be extra cautious you can line with plastic (but this isn’t as desirable as we move away from using plastics too).
My last tip/warning is that raised beds dry out quicker than soil at ground level, so you’ll want to install some water buttsat the same time to catch and reuse rainwater this summer. Add to this some summer sunshine and the crops in my orderly raised beds can’t fail to please.
Happy growing!
| About the author
Leigh Hunt is aPrincipal Horticultural Advisor at the RHS and tends a veg patch in his other role of Head Gardener at a private garden. At the RHS, he tackles all the fascinating enquiriesfrom RHS members and is a specialist in the environmental benefits provided by plants. |
Pick of the crop
Look for the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) when buying vegetable seed or small plants. You can also download the RHS lists of recommended cultivars.
FAQs
Laura LeBoutillier is an internet sensation. And in the gardening world, that's saying something! In the five years since she and her videographer/husband Aaron started making Garden Answer advice videos, Laura has collected a social media following of more than 5 million people.
What are three mistakes to avoid when gardening with raised beds? ›
Seven Beginner Raised Bed Gardening Mistakes to Avoid
- Picking The Wrong Spot. It is a common gardening mistake made by many gardeners. ...
- Not Thinking About The Water Source. ...
- Raised Beds Placed Too Close Together. ...
- Crowding your Plants. ...
- Planting the Wrong Plants. ...
- Skipping Mulch. ...
- Not Using the Correct Soil.
The cons of raised beds
The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker. Similar to growing in containers, the extra watering can leach nutrients out of the soil quicker than in-ground gardens.
How does Laura from Garden Answer make her money? ›
According to Social Blade, Laura's channel has amassed millions of views, translating into substantial ad revenue and sponsorships. Product Endorsem*nts: Laura's collaborations with various brands in the gardening and lifestyle niche also contribute significantly to her net worth.
Who is Laura's husband on Garden Answer? ›
Learn more about Laura and videographer/husband Aaron, whose social media brand, Garden Answer, has a following of more than 3 million people.
Can I plant squash and cucumbers in the same raised bed? ›
Cucumbers and squash are both members of the Cucurbitaceae family and are prone to the same diseases, such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. Planting them together can increase the likelihood of these diseases spreading.
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed? ›
A: You should avoid putting rocks in the bottom of your garden bed. A common myth is that this will improve drainage. Instead, this can actually increase water saturation levels as well as allow gravel to mix in with your soil, which can prove very difficult to remove later on.
Why I don't use raised beds? ›
The Disadvantages of Raised Beds
They heat up more and dry out a lot faster than level ground, which can be a big disadvantage in very hot or dry climates. They can cost a lot of money to create the frames, and fill the beds with soil, especially if you choose to use Mel's Mix (square foot gardening potting soil).
What not to fill a raised garden bed with? ›
Raised beds that are small and shallow (under 12 inches deep) are typically only filled with soil. Adding other organic materials to shallow beds usually isn't a good idea. Sticks, twigs, and other materials further reduce the limited soil space and can interfere with plant root growth and water drainage.
What is the best base for a raised bed? ›
Newspaper or Cardboard
Even simple, cheap materials can block weed growth from below your garden beds. You can simply lay them on the ground before setting your garden beds on top of them.
Raised Garden Beds Can Last a Couple Years to a Lifetime
Here's the short answer based on the type of material used for the raised bed: WOOD RAISED BED: 5-10 years. METAL RAISED BED: 30 years. STONE RAISED BED: lifetime.
Who pays for the work and plants on Love Your Garden? ›
TV presenters and architects George Bradley and Ewald Van Der Straeten, who are often make an appearance on the show, revealed on their website that the network funds the whole project.
How much does it cost to subscribe to Garden Answer? ›
Garden Answers app is a free download and free to use the automated search as often as you want. There is an option to subscribe to premium for $3.99, which is charged annually on the same date each year. Subscriptions are managed through your Apple or Google Play account on your device and not through the app.
Where do Laura and Aaron from Garden Answer live? ›
First and foremost, it's important to note that Garden Answer is filmed on location at the home of its creator, Laura LeBoutillier, in La Grande, Oregon. Laura and her husband Aaron have turned their property into a beautiful oasis that serves as the backdrop for Garden Answer's videos.
Growing vegetables in raised beds makes me feel like I’m a good gardener. When I glance across the plot, everything appears to be orderly and that subliminally tells me I’m on top of my veg growing game.
Do I need raised beds?
What about the cost?
Pick of the crop