Olle Gardens 17" Tall "U" Shape Infinity Raised Garden Bed (2024)

FAQs

Should I put gravel in the bottom of my raised garden bed? ›

Gravel: While some sites recommend using gravel to improve the drainage capabilities of the soil, that is a longstanding myth. There are other ways to increase drainage that are less troublesome than gravel. Eventually, the soil will mix with the grave and will prove to be very difficult to remove later on.

The fact is, landscape fabric is not a necessity if say, you want to control weeds because the confined space makes it easier to control weeds. But, you can use landscape fabric as a raised bed liner for other reasons, such as preventing soil erosion or improving the life of the raised bed itself.

Start with a layer of landscape fabric to prevent soil from washing out. Above this, a layer of gravel or small stones can aid in drainage. Then, fill the bed with a mix of topsoil, compost, and other organic matter. This layered approach ensures good drainage while providing a nutrient-rich environment for plants.

Raised beds work best when you fill them with plants that need the same amount of water to grow. If you try pairing a thirsty tomato with a dry soil-loving agave, for example, one of them will suffer. Moisture-loving plants that do well in raised garden beds include cardinal flowers, sedges, and monkshood.

The answer is yes. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to block out weeds or act as a barrier against rhizomatous, weedy or invasive plants. While some may opt for landscape fabric, cardboard is a more cost-effective option.

If the raised bed is on top of a hard surface, the minimum recommended height of 10 inches may not be deep enough for some crops, like potatoes. Young children need beds closer to the ground. For wheelchair access, beds should be 24 inches tall. A bed that is 36 inches off the ground helps avoid excessive bending over.

Rocks are not essential for achieving proper drainage and can even hinder it. Limited soil depth. Placing rocks at the bottom of a garden bed reduces the available soil depth for plant roots to grow. This restriction can be problematic, particularly for plants with deep root systems.

You Can Use a Layer of Cardboard at the Bottom of Raised Beds to Prevent Weeds. If your budget doesn't allow for weed barrier cloth, you can add several layers of cardboard to the bottom of your raised bed before filling it with soil. The cardboard will decompose in about 4 to 6 months.

Install wire mesh below and alongside raised beds

Mice and small rats can squeeze through holes the size of a dime. Keep this in mind as you work to prevent underground and above ground access. Mesh wire should be laid along the bottom and sides of raised garden boxes – preventing burrowing access.

Dig out the uneven soil and pile in the middle of the area. (It would be best not to dig right after rain so that the ground is too wet, and not when it is too dry as well) At the lower side of the garden bed you may have to rake some soil there to make it higher.

How deep should soil be in a raised garden bed? ›

They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.

Adding a liner to a raised garden bed is crucial for preventing fluctuations in temperature. The soil in a raised or elevated garden bed will lose or gain heat much more quickly than the soil in the ground.

Organic straw is an excellent choice for raised beds, because it's easy to apply and usually breaks down in one year.

Avoid using older types of wood treatments such as CCA, creosote, and Penta-treated lumber. Research from Oregon State University showed that pressure-treated lumber does increase soil copper concentrations by a minor amount, but only within 1 inch of the raised-bed edge.

Vegetable Beds: On the other hand, when it comes to vegetable beds, the bed must be approximately 12 to 18 inches deep to ensure adequate depth for the roots of your plants. This is especially important if your raised bed is placed on cement or the patio, which will inhibit roots from growing deeper into the ground.

In our early days of gardening with raised beds, we fought the same battles many gardeners face: pests, weeds, and dry soil. As our experience grew, we learned that adding a layer of mulch tackled all these problems at the same time. Now we would never garden without it.

You can typically grow 6 to 12 small plants like lettuce and carrots per square foot. You can grow 4 to 6 medium plants like basil or zinnias per square foot. Each large fruiting plant like a cherry tomato will cost you 1.5 square feet.