While raised garden beds are not a new idea, they continue to be a big discussion point amongst avid gardeners.

By definition, they are a garden bed that is built up instead of down, into a position that solves all manner of gardening challenges. They offer a host of benefits to gardeners, which we will discuss throughout this blog.

9 Ways to Utilise Raised Garden Beds

1. No Tilling is Better for Soil – A raised bed is a great way of setting up your soil for the easiest gardening session. Instead of tilling up the soil every year to add fertiliser and amendments, you can maintain them by adding materials on top. Compost, mulches, manures and other soil conditioners can all go directly on the top few inches of soil without any extensive work. Your soil is capable of doing its own tilling as worms and roots push their way through. Regular tilling by human hands depletes the soil structure and does nothing to build up the organic component of your soil over a period of time.
2. Prevent Back Pains – It is surprising how much back and knee strain happens when weeding your garden – especially in larger spaces. A raised bed can resolve back and joint pain plus it is a way to get younger children involved in gardening through hand weeding. Investing in raised beds is an investment in your health.
3. More Aesthetically Pleasing – If you live in a busy city, having raised beds looking great as well as being practical. They also make pathways easier to maintain as there is a definitive line between the bed and the path.
4. Keep Away the Critters – Although slugs can climb, the tall sides of raised garden beds slow them down and give you the opportunity to stop them in their tracks. You can also install hardware cloth on the bottom of the box to prevent crawling critters such as groundhogs from stealing root crops. Because of their elevated height dogs are also less likely to urinate on plants. There is also the option of adding plastic hoops for bird barriers, cold frames or row covers.
5. Raised Soil Means Better Drainage – If you live in an area prone to flooding or in marshy yards, raised beds are the best way to have a full growing season. They also tend to drain better generally, even in heavy rains.
6. Fewer Weeds and Crab Grass – Tilling will create more weeds as it buries weed seeds and gives them the perfect chance to propagate. One of the best ways to battle crab grass is with raised beds, as its raised barrier stops the grass from infiltrating.
7. Plant Earlier in the Season – Because of the better drainage in the soil, early planting is possible as the soil will dry out faster in the spring and warms quicker for planting than soil at ground level.
8. Avoid Contaminated Soil – Many different vegetables, especially roots, tomatoes and greens, absorb heavy metals from contaminated soils which can cause a serious threat. Bringing in raised beds allows you to bring in new soil that has not been subjected to toxicity from elsewhere. You can also greatly reduce toxicity by adding compost which dilutes any concentrations of contamination over time.
9. Great for Gardening Beginners – Raised beds are great for anyone looking to get into gardening without any prior experience. By adding a box, some soil, compost, seeds and water, you will start growing in no time.

Get in Touch With Any Questions

If you have any questions about raised garden beds, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Weston Sawmill are also the leading providers of fencing and decking for customers across Shropshire and Staffordshire.