Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [raised-beds]

Gardening based around plant beds which are raised above the surrounding soil.

Raised beds are a popular forming of gardening - especially for vegetables and other food annuals. A raised bed is a raised area typically between 6in and waist height above the surrounding soil. Various materials are used to keep the bed in place, although timber is probably the most popular. The soil usually contains a large proportion of compost - especially as a bed has to be filled with external material (this makes it easy to mix large amounts of compost in with little additional effort).

Raised beds are an excellent solution to poor top soil, they also avoid compaction due to walking on the soil. If planted correctly, they can also reduce weeds and help control moisture loss (although excessive drainage may require more watering) if designed properly. The raised nature of the beds can also make them ideal if bending over is a problem: Waist-high beds are particularly popular with the elderly.

Raised bed gardening is often combined with the square foot gardening and companion planting concepts.

Use this tag for all questions specific to raised bedding: Eg. how to build a raised bed, how to water, etc.

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What is a good alternative to pressure treated wood for raised beds?

I've had my pressure treated wood raised beds for my vegetable garden since 2005 and was recently made aware of the potential risks of using this kind of wood. I have seen conflicting articles saying that it may be OK to use pressure treated wood…
Ann Addicks
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How should I build a raised garden bed?

Looking for advice on building a raised garden bed for vegetable gardening. Will be building two beds. Was planning for 1' deep beds, using either 2"x12" or 2"x6" (2 stacked) boards, but is that depth necessary? Also looking for advice on best types…
Terry Streetman
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Cement Blocks for Raised Bed?

What are the pros and cons of using cement blocks for a raised bed? I am thinking of using something similar to these cement blocks and building them 3 blocks high. That would give me a good 2ft deep bed. I am also thinking (but unsure) if I should…
corymathews
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What should go under a raised bed that is on top of tilled dirt?

I am making some raised beds for my garden. What would be best to lay at the bottom? Would newspaper, rocks, stuff of that sort work the best? This will be put directly onto tilled dirt.
Ljk2000
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How long does galvanised steel last, directly against soil, in a raised garden bed?

I'm intending to build 4 raised vege garden beds, and want them to last as long as possible. Galvanised steel (locally it's commonly called corrugated iron) is likely to be a reasonably economic option. I'd rather not line them with plastic, so I'm…
Highly Irregular
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Should there be a bottom on a raised flower bed?

I am wondering if people usually fill a raised bed completely with soil, or make a "bottom" for the soil to sit on? If a bottom is made, is it treated wood to avoid mold and deterioration? And if drainage is necessary, how do I create that?
Adriana
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Is there any reason not to build super-tall raised beds?

I didn't find anything Googling or in my John Seymour books: Question: Is there any reason not to build super-tall raised beds? The reason: Having the ground level at chest-height could make tending the plants much much easier on my back. So I'm…
themirror
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Are asphalt roofing panels suitable for raised garden bed walls?

I'm planning out my garden build and I'm trying to figure out the most economical way of doing so. I'd like to build my beds out of something rot resistant, chemical free, and affordable. My garden will have four 5'x3' boxes and two 1'x8' boxes. To…
DannyM
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Placement of a front yard raised vegetable garden

I'm getting approval from my wife to build a raised vegetable garden in our front yard which gets full sun from mid morning throughout the evening. She'd prefer it to be near the sidewalk (spot #1) but we're both concerned with the number of dogs…
Dave Baghdanov
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Can I build a raised bed from cinder blocks without using mortar?

I have a cement platform edged by wood next to the wall of my home (? purpose). I would like to create a raised bed to grow vegetables there by using cinder blocks (6x8x16) on the 27x60 in. platform. I will line it with 2 layers of landscape fabric…
deb
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Raised bed soil: local dirt and compost 50/50 mix?

I'm doing raised bed gardening (wooden boxes 6'x2'x28"deep). Excellent drainage through underlying gravel into natural earth. Question: I'm using a mix of 50% local dirt and 50% compost (home made). Moisture retention seems fine but not soppy. Is…
Neil
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Is Reinforced Polyethylene Construction Film safe for raised bed liners?

I am planning to build raised beds. For the longevity of the wood I would like to use plastic liners. Is Reinforced Polyethylene Construction Film food safe? If not, could anyone please suggest a food safe type of plastic liner?
Krishna
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Is 1' x 8' cedar thick enough for raised beds

I found some pretty reasonably priced 1x8 knotty cedar (.75" x 7.5" ), And I'm looking to make some raised beds using it and wondering If i brac it every 5 feet or so, if that will be think enough to hold back the soil.
user379468
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Raised beds border - made of a dry stone wall

I find myself in the situation where I need to redo my raised vegetables and strawberry beds. I read What is a good alternative to pressure treated wood for raised beds? and Do chemicals leach from the sides of raised beds? which are excellent…
Patrick B.
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Do I need to cover newly planted seedlings when it rains

There are thunderstorms forecast for tonight. 3 days ago I planted carrot seedlings that were about 3 weeks old. Wondering if I should put a tarp over them so they don't get pounded. Total rain expected is 0.17 inches.
mcgyver5
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