raisedbed

Raised Beds and Planting Troughs

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There may be a variety of reasons why you will opt to create raised beds on your plot or in your garden. We have created separate beds on our allotment plot but have chosen not to use a raised bed system.

Most of the systems used or our allotment site would be more accurately described as edged beds as the level of garden soil isn’t raised much more (if at all) than the height of a single row of boards.

So why may you want to consider using a raised bed system?

One possible reason is that you want to create a specific environment in which to grow a plant that requires different conditions or type of soil to that which it would have in open ground. For instance you may wish to grow an acid loving plant but your soil is alkaline or vice versa. You may want to grow a moisture loving plant so could line the bed with pierced polythene to retain moisture. If this is the case you may want consider a large planter or trough.

You may want to have different levels for aesthetic reasons or to site on a paved area. If you do want to site your raised beds on a paved area you may want to consider using a liner shown below to help prevent water, compost and soil from leaking out and stained the paving.

If your soil becomes waterlogged a raised beds can improve the drainage for the plants planted within it but in dry weather raised beds can also need more watering. A raised bed liners can help retain moisture and will also give some protection to the sides of wooden systems. If the beds is placed onto soil a liner can also help to prevent weeds from growing through and into the bed.

If you have difficulty bending, are a wheelchair gardener or want to cut down on digging then you may want to consider system that will bring your plants up to a higher level.

Some stackable systems are available which will allow you to raise the bed to a height that is perfect for you.

Raised Beds can also be useful in providing a cleaner growing area for children as they can garden without walking or sitting on soil. They can also be used to mark out a child’s own private growing area.

You can also buy systems in a range of shapes and even have some purpose made to your own design.

Wooden beds can vary greatly in price and for an allotment you may prefer to build your own but it is worth browsing some ready-made solutions if only to get ideas.

Raised beds don't have to be made from wood and are available in other materials.

Photos were taken from Greenfingers, Harrod Horticultural and Woodblocx

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