This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Raised Bed Question/s
Rob2904
Posts: 2
Hello, newbie here; first post. I’m a newbie both to this forum and also gardening more generally.
I want to make the most effective and efficient raised bed for growing that I can.
About beds in general: when looking at a bed or design, what kind of measures/variables can I look for to assess it’s effectiveness? Say: any measures of growth in vegetables, factors that influence success/growth of vegetables?
About the height of beds: what height, or height range, is the most efficient and effective?
I read previously about a minimum of 6” from one source, and 8-12” or more on another. This kind of ties in with my first question. Are there reasons for these different height recommendations, like factors that influence growth?
Climate question: does my local environment condition factor into design when building a bed? I’m living in Kent, South East England, UK.
Hope I posted in the right forum section here, and that these questions make sense!
Many thanks!
I want to make the most effective and efficient raised bed for growing that I can.
About beds in general: when looking at a bed or design, what kind of measures/variables can I look for to assess it’s effectiveness? Say: any measures of growth in vegetables, factors that influence success/growth of vegetables?
About the height of beds: what height, or height range, is the most efficient and effective?
I read previously about a minimum of 6” from one source, and 8-12” or more on another. This kind of ties in with my first question. Are there reasons for these different height recommendations, like factors that influence growth?
Climate question: does my local environment condition factor into design when building a bed? I’m living in Kent, South East England, UK.
Hope I posted in the right forum section here, and that these questions make sense!
Many thanks!
0
Posts
As to height, I asked the question a little while ago on here and 9" seemed to be the answer. That fits well with using two 6"x1" planks for the sides. That was for growing (mostly) herbs. For vegetables you might need to be a lot deeper, for example for carrots.
I'll be using treated wood, so I worried about what might leach into the soil and thus the plants and thus me! Line with plastic was the answer to that one. Of course I'd like to build it from oak sleepers, but they're pretty pricey!
If your general soil is good then one plank width is fine for defining a bed and holding in the extra mulches of topsoil/compost/leaf mould/manure you will add over time to keep the soil in good heart. If you make the corner posts higher you can easily add extra boards later if needed and they'll also stop the hose-pipe from whamming across the beds and flattening plants. makes it easier t drape netting or polythene sheets too when you want to protect plants from pests or cold.
If you have physical problems, building them knee height and sturdy enough to put a flat board all round the edge, you can sit while you weed, sow, plant, harvest. Deeper beds also let you grow deep rooted plants such as carrots, parsnips, asparagus if your basic soil is poor or solid clay.
As to width, the general consensus is 4'/120cm wide so you can reach into the middle from both sides without compressing the soil.