Raised beds are in demand, as these miniature vegetable gardens combine several advantages. This form of gardening is particularly suitable for people with back problems or for garden owners whose cultivated soil is considered problematic.
What is a raised vegetable garden bed and who is it suitable for?
A raised bed is an elevated vegetable garden that is ideal for people with back problems or problematic garden soil. It uses specifically layered organic materials for improved nutrient and heat distribution and allows you to work comfortably while standing or sitting.
Advantages and method of use
Raised beds not only offer an increased working surface, but also take advantage of the targeted stacking of organic materials: As in a compost heap, when they rot, they release nutrients that directly benefit the plants grown on them. At the same time, the plants benefit from the heat generated during rotting and from the very humus-rich soil. Due to the high nutrient concentrations, only heavy feeders should be grown in the first one or two years, followed by medium and low feeders. After about five to six years, the layering has collapsed to such an extent that it has to be rebuilt.
Building a raised bed
Raised beds are usually built with a solid frame structure, so they are essentially high earth boxes. This means that the raised bed offers an advantage that is particularly appreciated by older people and people with back problems: it allows you to work comfortably while standing or sitting. The height of the raised bed can be chosen depending on your height: many of these box beds are around one meter high. The length, on the other hand, is arbitrary and can be adjusted as needed; there are only limits when it comes to width. Raised beds with a width between 120 and 150 centimeters can still be easily worked on.
How to build a raised bed
Ready-made elements or kits for raised beds (€599.00 at Amazon) are available from specialist retailers. Wooden boards and beams or round or half palisades are suitable for building the frame yourself. However, raised beds with a brick border are more durable. And this is how you build the raised bed:
- The wooden boxes are anchored to the ground using corner pillars.
- These are particularly stable as they are anchored with metal post shoes.
- Depending on the thickness and length of the boards, additional posts increase stability.
- Thin wooden walls are lined with a strong pond liner.
- At the bottom there is a wire mesh that is supposed to protect against voles.
- Place a drainage layer made of coarse materials on top.
- Coarsely chopped branches or twigs are very suitable for this.
- Sod is placed on top, but with the roots pointing upwards.
- This is followed by a 20 to 30 centimeter thick layer of well-moistened leaves.
- Approximately 15 centimeters of fresh compost follows as the penultimate layer
- and finally garden soil, also around 15 centimeters thick.
Tip
So-called hill beds, which are built according to a similar principle to raised beds, but do not require a border, are also quite practical.