Raised Bed Gardening

If creating an in ground garden space at your home is not an option, raised beds make the perfect alternative. There will still be similar requirements that apply to raised beds like in ground gardens. A sunny spot, access to water and a level spot. There are a lot of different options for raised beds. Truly, it depends on your budget and your desired aesthetics. Below are some different ideas that you can explore if you are looking to have a raised bed garden.

Classic Wood

Wood raised garden beds can be filled with any type of soil and require minimal maintenance. Additionally, they provide better drainage and soil aeration. Wood raised garden beds are a sustainable and efficient solution for those who love gardening. Untreated rot-resistant wood is the most popular choice for gardeners. Avoid railroad ties because they are treated with creosote, which will leak toxins into the soil. Styles for wooden raised beds vary by your style and imagination.

Cinderblock

Cinderblock is a good option for the gardener who wants "Forever" raised beds. The cost varies but sometimes cinderblocks can be found for free or cheaply. Cinderblock may lack beauty but they will get the job done. A standard concrete block in the USA measures 16-inch-long, 8 inches high and 8 inches wide. We are building our bed 16 feet long x 4 feet wide. Each layer high we choose to build will be 8 inches. For most people 16 inches will be perfectly fine. Double it if your need them higher. Stay away from old-fashioned cinder blocks, which may contain heavy metals—not a good thing for food gardens. Second, a concrete block bed can affect your soil's pH, making it more alkaline, so it's not good for growing acid-loving plants like blueberries.

STacked stone

Stone next to cinderblock is one of the most durable styles of the raised beds. You won't have to worry about harsh winter storms, humid summers, or even floods effecting the high performance of this building material. You won't have to worry about your stone beds rotting or being destroyed by termites. Some gardeners prefer stone to wood for their beds because there is less maintenance. Others chose stone because they love the way it looks. The only downside is that the upfront investment is typically more with stone.

Metal

Metal raised beds have several benefits. Depending on the quality of the metal, they can last for years. Some gardeners enjoy this aesthectic and the ability to easily move metal beds for configuration changes. Metal beds not fixed permenently to a spot which can be great for temporary gardens. Metal raised garden beds are especially beneficial in areas prone to flooding and marshy environments because they enable you to extend the growing season.

Woven Wattle

One of the most unique raised beds and offer a gorgeous look to the garden. These beds' unique structure and materials offer several benefits to the soil, contributing to healthier, more productive plants. The design of a wattle-raised garden bed naturally improves soil aeration. The gaps between the woven branches allow air to circulate freely through the soil. These beds can be crafted into a square, rectaglular and circular shape.