Raised Bed Growing: Benefits And Challenges

For many of us home growers raised beds are an ideal option for a plethora of benefits, from limited space, to fully customizable, to applicable in urban and rural settings, and in almost any growing/garden environment, they have become a staple growing vessel across the world for good reason.

Benefits & Advantages

Control Over Soil

—Ability to amend smaller sections of soil yearly to specific plant requirements and needs.

—Less soil compaction. (not being walked on)

—Having safety knowing not contaminated soils as built custom by grower.

—Ease of soil care and testing.

Customizable Sizing

—Ability to build desired sizes and heights.

—Can be made higher for ease of planting for all physical ability levels.

Position

—Possibility to choose more ideal locations in yards or patios or roof tops etc

—South-facing and sunny without too much shade.

—Ability to find the best position in your space close to home base for great accessibility.

Maintenance

—Physically easier to maintain & manage.

—No bare soil made simpler with less mulching area between tightly planted beds.

—Less ability for unintended plant growth.

Yields

—Ability to grow multi-varieties of interplanting for yield success.

—Longer growing seasons as raised beds warm up faster being above ground and can be covered in fall and winter season.

—Tight planting in limited space maximizes useable space.

For Ease

—Ease for beginners.

—Usually beds are placed close to home zone for accessibility for greater care.

—Smaller spaces make it easier to spot insect, or dis-ease issues faster.

Design & Beauty

—Ability to design curated beds for visually pleasing landscapes and gardens.

—Natural beauty matters, having an inspiring clean space helps our mental/emotional/spiritual wellbeing.

Fewer Pests

—Ability to limit access to certain pests.

—Can use covers more easily to help with rodents/pests.

Water Infiltration

—Ability for increased water drainage, and water accessibility to plant roots.

—Water must first enter soil for it to be of value to plants. There needs to be a good balance of water holding and drainage.

Ergonomics & Accessibility

—Gives more options to anyone growing especially with any physical challenges, injury or healing. They allow opportunity and access to growing again with greater ease.

Extended Growing Season

—Raised beds warm up faster and drain better in spring allowing earlier planting availability

—In fall with the use of covers it can extend the grow season depending on zone and temps.

—Extended growing = more opportunity for greater harvests.

Can Be Temporary

—Great to use for renters, can be moved or taken down with ease depending on style/materials.

Challenges To Account For

Heat

—Dries out quickly, and mulching soil is needed protection for soil and plants.

—In zones 8-12 and hot dry climates raised beds can heat up and can scorch plants and roots.

Drainage

—Depending on growers soil ratios used there can be increased drainage leading to dryed out soil or too damp beds leading to root rot of plants. The right ratio for your climate must be found.

Often Requires More Water

—Sun heats up raised beds faster and hotter than in ground beds.

—Needs more watering as heat dries up soil leaving no water for plant roots.

Cost Of Initial Setup

—Cost of initial materials for frames can be pricy. Try to use reclaimed safe materials when possible.

—Cost of soil building and amendments.

—Deeper and taller bed are more costs, but can be minimized by filling with logs and yard trimmings under soil and compost layers.

Have A Lifespan

—Raised beds will need updating if wood, but stone or cement options can be used for longer lifespan.

Raised Bed Success: Make sure wherever you are placing your raised beds that your area is getting 6-8 hours of sunlight each day for growing success and has access to a clean water source. Plan! Plan! Plan! Make sure before you build you give adequate space for human and animal movement between beds for successful management & harvesting for example tools and (buckets if needed) etc.

Highlight —Raised beds make growing simpler for beginner growers and seasoned growers alike.

Questions To Contemplate: What is the most ideal growing set up for myself and my family? Will raised beds yield us more produce and less use of our energy? What crops do we love most and are they ideal for growing in raised beds? Will raised been be best for short & longer term for us?