The Pros and Cons of Raised Beds (2024)

FAQs

The Pros and Cons of Raised Beds? ›

Advantages: By definition, raised beds are above ground level…so they require less bending over when planting, weeding, and harvesting. The higher up you go with your beds, the less bending. Disadvantages: Likewise, the higher you go with your beds the more time and money it will take to build them.

Planting in raised garden beds helps ensure great drainage, warmer soil temperature in early spring, and loose soil that's easy to mix up with compost and amendments. The downside is that you need to construct a raised bed, buy lots of soil to fill it, and you won't be able to move it around.

Longer growing season: Raised beds warm up more quickly in the spring and drain better (assuming the soil is properly prepared), allowing for a longer growing season and better growing conditions. Particularly in the South, a properly prepared raised bed allows plant roots to breathe.

While generally minor, raised beds do have some disadvantages. Raised beds dry out faster than level garden sites. Accordingly, they have to be watered more frequently in dry weather. Initial construction of the raised bed may take more effort than maintenance of the conventional garden.

Raised beds are deemed environmentally responsive if they can adapt their characteristics to the changing environment. You should consider purchasing environmentally responsive raised beds as they offer the best chance for plants to flourish and produce better yields.

In many of the places I've lived and gardened, the local soil has often been filled with too much clay to keep picky plants happy. Raised beds are easy to maintain. The added height prevents weeds from taking over. You don't need any expensive tools to tend or harvest when you're growing in raised beds.

Raised Garden Beds Can Last a Couple Years to a Lifetime

Here's the short answer based on the type of material used for the raised bed: WOOD RAISED BED: 5-10 years. METAL RAISED BED: 30 years. STONE RAISED BED: lifetime.

The cons of raised beds

Use rot-resistant wood if you go with boards and figure even those eventually will have to be replaced. The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker.

Raised beds allow the soil to drain well, avoiding the waterlogged challenges of many in-ground gardens. Irrigation is also less wasteful in the confined space of a raised bed.

Planting tomatoes in raised beds is easier because they are more accessible. Also, the soil in raised garden beds warms up faster, which gives tomatoes a great head start.

Is it better to have a raised garden bed or in the ground? ›

Raised beds offer better soil structure and drainage, which can help grow plants more effectively. They also provide an opportunity to amend the soil with organic matter, improving its fertility and nutrient content.

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.

Simply put, mulching is when you apply a layer of either organic or inorganic material to the surface of the soil. While raised garden beds already offer a variety of benefits that do not require the use of mulch, some gardeners chose to add it to give their plants an additional boost.

The Verdict: Metal Raised Beds Do NOT Get Too Hot for Your Plants.

Will a metal garden bed cause plants and soil to overheat? The answer is no. The temperature of the soil near the edges of the garden may rise slightly on a warm day but not enough to have any impact on your plants. If you properly water your garden bed plants, you should not have to worry about them drying up.

Your garden will need to receive six or more direct sunlight hours per day, all year. Really though, you're aiming for as much sun as possible. Ideally, you'll position your garden on the south side of any tall structures, such as homes, garages, tall sheds, and fences.

Raised Beds Provide Better Drainage Than In-Ground Gardens

In-ground plants are more likely to sit in water because you have no control over the drainage, so you risk battling mold, rot, and mildew. Poor drainage can even just prevent your greens from flourishing.

Raised bed soil is nutrient rich and contains a higher percentage of organic material than garden soil. However, you should also add additional organic fertilizer throughout the growing season to ensure a productive harvest. Organic and natural fertilizers include compost, algae and worms.