Many people have gardens in their backyards these days, but did you know that not all of them use raised beds? There are many different kinds of garden types, one being a raised bed. A raised bed is when the soil is elevated above ground level by using walls or some other structure to form the shape. The reason for this style is to make it easier for the gardener to get the soil and keep it level.
Raised Beds Are Not For Everyone
The reason many people use raised beds is that they want a garden but do not have any expertise in landscaping or farming. Some people may choose raised beds because they cannot afford to purchase a lot of lands, or they simply do not have the space. If you are one of these people, then raised beds may be your best choice.
However, if you are already quite experienced with gardening, raised beds may not be for you. A few advantages to using raised beds are that they are easy to build and do not take up much room. They can also work well for people who cannot bend over very well. But if your soil is already good and you know how to keep it level without the use of raised beds, then you may be better off not using them.
Benefits Of Row Gardening Instead
If you are not too worried about the appearance of your yard at all, row gardening may be a better choice for you. This is when the vegetables are placed in rows instead of raised beds. Crops with large leaves, such as squash, cucumbers and tomatoes will do best in this style because they can create a canopy over the soil around it and block out weeds from growing. If you have a long row to work with or a raised bed, a long stick can be used to mark where the plants should go. This makes it easier because you won’t have to dig each hole individually and waste time.
Row gardening also offers several other benefits over raised beds. If your soil is poor quality or too heavy with clay, row gardening might be better for you because the vegetables will be closer to the soil below. This allows you to easily add amendments when needed, such as compost and fertilizer.
Pro: Ease of Use
Of course, the raised bed does come with its issues. One problem is that it requires more time and money to set up initially; for example, you’ll need to buy the lumber and soil before you get started, which can be expensive. It also requires more attention and care than a traditional row garden, which makes it less ideal for the busy person who doesn’t have time to maintain their garden regularly.
Con: More Time, Money & Care Required
Another downside is that raised beds are much easier to weed since you can see what’s going on better in them since they’re raised. This means that you shouldn’t plant your garden too densely, for this reason, otherwise it’ll be much harder to weed.
Conclusion
Raised beds may not be suitable for everyone because it is a lot of extra work that some people do not want to put in. If this sounds like you, then row gardening might be what you need instead.
FAQ
What can I use instead of raised bed wood?
As we all know, wood is not the best material to use with a raised bed because it will most likely rot or rust. However, if you are dead set on using wood for your raised beds there are some things you can do to help make it last longer. First off, you want to make sure that the materials used are naturally rotted and rust-resistant. Cedarwood is naturally rot and rust-resistant, but a lot of other woods are not.
How do I make a cheap raised garden bed?
There are many ways to make inexpensive garden raised beds. Start by looking around the yard and seeing what you have on hand that could be used for a raised bed. For example, use old pieces of wood as a garden border, or stack cinder blocks together with the openings facing inward for planting space. Old kids’ playhouses can also be turned into garden raised beds, or old crates or dog houses can be used to create a raised garden.
Depending on where you are, raised bed alternatives may be all that you have available to you. The best way to make an inexpensive raised garden is with recycled materials. You could also consider stacking used tires, or sinking old garbage cans into the ground.
Are Raised beds really necessary?
The answer is yes. Raised beds are so much more than just “not necessary.” A raised bed allows for better drainage, more nutrients due to less compacted soil, and larger yields with ease of access to plants.
Raised beds may not be needed but they sure do make growing easier.
Not exactly. This is not to say that they are bad, or a poor choice for the backyard garden, only that there are some alternatives to raised beds that can be just as viable if not better in certain circumstances.
Raised beds have many advantages, especially if you consider that a raised bed is better for your back and you don’t have to worry about the soil being too wet. If you’re looking for a raised bed alternative, think of gardening in wide rows or beds sitting on top of the ground.