Oldcastle Planter Wall Block
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How to shop for a raised garden bed
Before you start shopping to buy a raised gardening beds, take a look around your outdoor space and decide how big you want it to be. Raised garden beds are available in any size, even small patios and decks.
After you decide the size of the raised garden bed you’re looking for, consider what the garden bed is made out of as well as additional features like drainage holes and liners.
Material
DeVito stated that raised garden bed are made from either wood or metal. DeVito stated that metal and plastic beds are more durable then wood, which can rot. DeVito stated that wood is preferred by some people, but he recommends investing in a plastic or pressure-treated garden if you intend to make your garden permanent or live in an area that allows for year-round gardening. Wood bed is resistant to rotYou can also search for woods such Ipe or Cedar.
Some companies also offer sales Fabric-covered raised garden bedsThese are more affordable, DeVito suggested. Fabric beds are smaller and easier to move, DeVito suggested. Fabric raised garden beds should be put on top of gravel, soil or stone — DeVito said they would make a deck too wet.
Drainage holes and liners
There are many options when it comes to raised garden beds. Some have drainage holes, while others have liner.
DeVito said she typically does not suggest using liners unless there’s a reason for it, which can range from soil contamination and tree roots to aggressive weeds on the surface you plan on housing your raised garden bed on top of. Liners can also come in handy if you’re putting a raised garden bed on a wood, stone or concrete surface — DeVito said this can help protect the surface from staining.
Like indoor pots, outdoor planters such as containerized raised garden beds need drainage holes to allow extra water to drain out the bottom. This prevents water buildup at the bottom of the poter. DeVito said a lack of drainage puts plants at risk of staying wet for a long period of time — and too much water is just as harmful to plants as too little.
Benefits of raised bed gardening
Dimitrov said raised garden beds are popular because they allow gardeners to control the soil quality they’re planting in. When you’re planting in the ground, it’s hard to know the exact composure of the soil or if it has the proper nutrients your plants need to thrive. But you fill raised garden beds with the soil of your choosing, and you can be sure it’s not contaminated or stripped of essential vitamins and minerals. Dimitrov stated that soil in raised garden beds can thaw quicker than soil on the ground, and heat up faster.
DeVito stated, “Raised garden beds are a good alternative if you have a lot of trees roots, large shrubs or aggressive plants on your property.” Planting in raised garden beds is essentially a blank slate — you can start from scratch and avoid some of the challenges that come with in-ground gardening. DeVito stated that gardening in raised garden beds is easier for people with disabilities and other physical challenges.
How to water and fill a raised garden beds
The first step in preparing your raised garden bed for planting is to fill it with soil. DeVito said what you’re planting often dictates what type of soil you should use, but as a general rule, she relies on screened topsoil — soil without any rocks, sticks or clumps — mixed with compost. Dimitrov said you can also purchase soil that’s premixed with compost, and to look for options that feature 50 percent soil and 50 percent compost.
Dimitrov said there’s no special way you need to water plants in a raised garden bed. In fact, raised garden beds are able to drain excess water from heavy rains away from plants’ root zones, which ensures that they don’t get over-saturated. DeVito explained to me that raised-bed plants dry out quicker than an in-ground garden. This could cause increased watering, particularly during dry, hot summers. She suggested watering plants by hand using a watering container. Attach a showerhead to your hoseFor larger raised gardens, you can also set up an automated system. Soaker hose systems.
What to plant in raised garden pots
Raised garden beds can also be used to grow herbs, vegetables, and fruit. They can also be used for small shrubs and cut flower production. DeVito stated, “large trees and shrubs, which need a lot of space for their root, leaves, or branches,” would not be allowed in a raised garden.
Devito also mentioned that raised garden beds are a great way for children learn to garden. Devito explained that children can work with soil and seeds in the enclosed space. Devito suggests that children start off with easy, low-maintenance vegetables, such as asparagus. Radishes and Beans.
