Are you a gardener who wants to use raised garden beds? Do you know what to look for when choosing raised garden beds? Raised garden beds are ideal for small-scale gardening in your backyard. In this article, we discuss tips to consider when choosing raised garden beds.
1. Width
The width of the raised garden bed determines how wide it is. It gives you an indication of how spacious it will be and how many plants you can grow in one. Additionally, it also gives you an indication of how much space the plants will have to grow. A width of 3 to 4 feet is the best choice for a raised garden bed.
2. Length
The length, like the width, is also very important. The length allows you to have a good idea of how long it will be. A long raised garden bed makes it easier to plant more vegetables and plants. Additionally, it also allows the plants a lot of breathing room to grow. A raised garden between 4 to 8 feet in length is usually the “sweet spot”.
3. Shape
Another tip when choosing raised garden beds is to consider their shape. There are many different shapes and sizes of raised garden beds. Some are rectangular, and round, while others are designed as tiered raised garden beds. The shape you choose will be the one that you are comfortable working with.
4. Depth of Planting Area
The depth of the raised garden bed is another important factor to consider when choosing one. A soil depth of 6 to 8 inches will work well for growing vegetables and plants. But some large plants like tomatoes and blueberries require more depth.
When choosing the raised garden bed, always take into consideration the vegetables or plants that you will be growing. The last thing you want is to get a raised garden bed that is not well suited for the type of plants or vegetables that you want to grow.
5. Type of Material
One good tip to remember when choosing raised garden beds is the type of material that it is made of. Raised garden beds are made of a number of materials such as wood, metal, and hard plastic. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Metal-raised garden beds are durable but are heavy and susceptible to corrosion although they are often powder-coated for corrosion prevention.
Wood is the popular choice for raised garden beds and most are treated to prevent infestation by insects. They are durable and last a long time. Additionally, wooden raised garden beds are also treated to prevent the absorption of water which will cause it to rot. Plastic raised garden beds are also durable and can withstand the weather.
6. Height
The height of the raised garden bed is also an important factor to consider. A raised garden bed that is too high will not work well as it will be awkward tending to the plants as well as one that is too low. Most raised garden beds are designed with an average height in the range between 12 to 18 inches.
7. Types of Plants
The types of plants should also be considered when choosing a raised garden bed. Some plants, like root vegetables, will require more space while herbs will use less space. Leafy greens and root vegetables are two of the common types of plants that will be planted in raised garden beds. Always think about what you want to plant to help you choose the right raised garden bed for gardening.
Conclusion
Raised garden beds have become very popular for gardening. They make it easy to grow and tend to your vegetables and plants as they contain the plants in a confined space and are above the ground to keep out of the reach of pests.
In this article, we discussed some of the tips to consider when choosing the best raised garden beds. If you are a gardener and would like to get more information and learn more tips about gardening, then visit this online resource. Additionally, we reviewed some of the best gardening products like the best garden sprinklers that you can read if you are interested in garden sprinklers.
