Gardening is a great way to relax, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors! But if you’re short on space or have limited mobility, raised bed gardening might be the perfect solution for you.

Raised bed gardening has many benefits over traditional garden beds- it’s easier to access and maintain, helps with drainage, and allows you to create your own custom growing environment. Plus, raised beds are great for small spaces! Let’s look at the benefits of raised bed gardening and how you can get started with this fun and rewarding hobby.

What is raised bed gardening?

Raised bed gardening is a type of gardening that involves raised boxes or beds which can be custom-built to fit your space and needs. Unlike traditional garden beds, raised beds are raised off the ground, making them easier to access and maintain.

Some raised beds include legs to lift them higher off the ground, while others may be raised by several inches or even up to a few feet above the ground. Raised beds are often made from wood, composite materials, metal, or plastic and are filled with soil and compost to create the perfect growing environment for your plants.

Benefits of raised bed gardening

Improved drainage

When you build raised beds, they allow for the water to drain away from the roots of your plants naturally. This improves the health of your plants by ensuring that their roots don’t become waterlogged.

More efficient use of space

Raised beds are great for small spaces because they allow you to maximize the growing potential of each square foot. There’s no wasted space, and raised beds are easy to customize — allowing you to fit more plants into a smaller area.

Increased soil fertility

With raised garden beds, you can create your own nutrient-rich soil mix that’s tailored to the needs of your plants. This makes it easier to provide the right nutrients and get optimal results from your garden.

Ease of access for gardeners

Raised beds on legs are a great option for many people because you don’t have to bend over or kneel down to tend your plants. This makes raised bed gardening much easier and more comfortable for gardeners with limited mobility.

Pest and weed control

Raised beds are easier to keep free of pests and weeds because they provide a barrier between your plants and the soil below. You can also use raised beds to create barriers between different types of plants, keeping them from competing for nutrients.

Soil warms up faster

The soil in raised beds warms up faster than the ground, which helps plants grow and gives you an earlier harvest.

Where can you get a raised bed?

To get started with raised bed gardening, you’ll need to purchase raised beds or build your own. You can also purchase raised bed kits that come pre-assembled and include everything you need to get started.

If you’re feeling creative and want to take your raised bed gardening to the next level, consider building raised beds for yourself. It’s a great way to customize your raised beds and make them unique. 

You can find lots of great DIY raised bed plans online or in gardening books. To learn more about raised bed gardening and find plans to build your own box garden, check out my book, The Instant Box Garden Miracle!

Building raised beds can be a fun project for any level of gardener, from beginner to expert. And the best part is that raised bed gardening can be as simple or complex as you like!

Try recycling these everyday objects into raised beds for an easy, affordable option:

• Old pallets
• Tires
• Wooden crates
• Wheelbarrow (you’ll need to drill drainage holes)
• Cinder Blocks
• 5-gallon buckets
• Old dressers and boxes
• Dishes and bowls from the thrift store

Once you have your raised beds in place, all you need is a good soil mix, some fertilizer, and plants!

Starting your first raised bed

Drainage

Making sure that your raised bed has adequate drainage is one of the most important steps. Include holes in your raised bed for excess water to escape, and use gravel or other coarse materials such as pot shards or pebbles to line the bottom of the raised bed. This is especially important if you are using a non-porous container. This will help allow water to drain away from the roots of your plants.

Soil preparation

With raised beds, you have to build up the soil from scratch. Start by mixing in compost and other organic matter, such as leaves or grass clippings, with some regular gardening soil or dirt. This will help improve the soil structure and add nutrients.

If you are planting in a raised bed on the ground, you will need to put down a layer of landscape fabric or cardboard to help create a barrier and slow weed growth.

Choosing plants

Once your raised beds are set up, it’s time to choose which plants you want to grow. Consider the amount of available space, sunlight, and water when selecting plants for raised bed gardening. 

You’ll also want to consider where each plant will go in the raised bed so they get the proper amount of sunlight and space.

In my book, the Instant Box Garden Miracle, I include plans to create your very own themed gardens, including a Salsa Garden, Butterfly Garden, and more!

Watering

When it comes to raised bed gardening, proper watering is essential for achieving healthy plants. Make sure to water deeply and evenly, as raised beds can dry out quickly in hot summer weather. Pay attention to the soil moisture levels to make sure your plants are getting enough water but not too much.

Get started today!

Raised bed gardening is a great way to get started with gardening. It offers numerous benefits, such as improved drainage, efficient use of space, increased soil fertility, and ease of access for gardeners.

Getting started with raised bed gardening is easy and fun, so why not give it a try? Be sure to check out my book, The Instant Box Garden Miracle! It’s full of detailed plans that will help you to create your very own raised bed gardens.