A Guide to Raised Bed Gardening

Raised garden beds not only look amazing in your garden, they are also extremely versatile and functional. Here is our guide on why raised beds can be beneficial and how you can get started on raised bed gardening.
 
What are the benefits of raised bed gardening?

Whatever you want to grow, raised beds should be a consideration. Grow vegetables, great flower displays or maybe introduce another level to your garden. Raised beds are extremely versatile as they are equally as good for vegetables and flowers.
 
Raised garden bed soil is less likely to be washed away through heavy rain or compacted underfoot. This is great for maintaining optimal growing conditions and also helps ensure the nutrients are kept within the bed.
 
Raised garden beds also create barriers from pests such as slugs and snails. This is especially good news for those who are growing produce that is susceptible to slug and snail attacks.
 
Having raised beds makes it easier to access all of your produce and plants without straining your back. This makes it perfect for those with health issues or are elderly.

Raised beds work great as planters and can also create a great focal point. They can even act as additional seating which is perfect for spending long periods planting or weeding.

As raised beds do not have as much contact with the ground, the soil remains slightly warmer. This means that you can start planting slightly earlier than you normally would and makes them ideal for growing vegetables.

Why are raised beds different to containers?

The key difference between normal garden planters or containers is that they have bottoms that prevent the soil from escaping. Raised beds, on the other hand, have no bottom and are placed on top of the ground. The major benefits to this are better drainage and larger and stronger root systems can be established.

Tips for Installing Raised Beds

Ideally, locate raised beds so that the longer edge of the bed points south. Try and ensure all of the beds receive similar levels of sunlight. This will help with consistent produce.

Dig the bed area before placing the raised bed. Pull any rocks out so that you can place the raised bed in easily.
 
Ensure the bed is level when you place it in the ground. This may take a while to get right but is worth the effort.
 
Try not to step on the raised beds. The benefit of raised beds is that you should never have to stand on them. In turn, you should never compact the soil or damage your plants. When you build your planter, ensure all plants can be reached without having to stand on the soil.

Regularly check the condition of the soil. If it is dry approximately an inch below the surface, water thoroughly. Raised beds will require more watering than ground flower beds, especially during warmer weather. The edges of the bed become dry quicker than the middle, so always ensure the entire bed has enough water.

After you have planted, you can mulch using straw, leaves or wood chips. This can help keep the soil moist as well as help keep weeds at bay.

There are many materials that you can construct your raised bed from. Wooden sleepers, Paving slabs, stone and brick can all be used. It’s just personal preference and budget.

Raised bed gardening is easy to get started with can bring many benefits. They are perfect for growing flowers and vegetables alike, allowing you to easily create the garden of your dreams.

If you need any help with bulbs and gardening advice, then please contact us. Boston Bulbs Wholesale is a privately owned business with over 35 years’ experience of importing only the finest quality horticultural products through Europe and from farms and growers over the UK. Whether you’re a landscaper, nursery, local authority, wholesale, retailer, private business or individual gardener, give us a call on 01775 769 333 or visit https://bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk for help with flower bulbs, grass seed and more.