A raised bed is the ingenious solution to ensure a great harvest success with little space. Which soil is used for the individual layers in the raised bed? We have the most important tips for you!
In a nutshell
- Raised beds save space and are easy on the back
- Mixed cultures of herbs, vegetables and ornamental plants possible
- optimal nutrient supply through layer system
- perfect for gardens with poor soil
- less pest infestation
Vertical Gardens
The advantages of raised beds are obvious. A raised bed saves space, is easy on the back and uses the advantages of a mixed culture. The soil quality can be perfectly adapted to the needs of the plants. If you have a garden with poor soil conditions, a raised bed gives you the opportunity to create the conditions for demanding plants.
Raised beds protect against the intrusion of pests. Snails, for example, have a hard time getting to plants at height. A rabbit wire pad protects against voles and other rodents. After that you can start layering your raised bed with the right soil.
The construction
Raised beds are available prefabricated in specialist garden shops. With a little manual skill, you can also build your raised bed yourself or use simple kits.
Raised bed constructions are used:
- wood
- stone
- metal
- textile bags
- plastic
Raised beds are excellent for upcycling. Old wooden pallets that can no longer be used, potato crates, defective rain barrels, jute or plastic bags and much more can be converted into raised beds. The internet is full of ideas!
Tip: Raised beds equipped with casters are a good idea. They allow the bed to be moved to another location if necessary.
The layers
Below you will find the layer structure and the required soil for your raised bed. To protect against voles, a close-meshed wire mesh is suitable as the beginning of the raised bed layers.
- Wood cutting - 30 centimeters
- Branches and coarse wood cuttings should be stacked 25 to 30 centimeters high. This composition prevents waterlogging and ensures good ventilation. Aeration accelerates rotting and humus formation.
- Wood chipper - 25 centimeters
- Now layer wood chippings and fine shrub cuttings over the rough pruning. Even small knots can be included. This layer prevents the finer substrate of the layers above from slipping through.
- Coarse compost - 20 centimeters
- A layer of coarse compost provides warmth to the bed. You can also use stable manure.
- Compost soil - 15 centimeters
- This is followed by a layer of fresh, sieved compost soil. This soil contains many nutrients and forms a good basis for the development of plants.
- Good quality potting or vegetable soil - 10 to 15 centimeters
- Use a layer of good quality soil to plant the raised bed.
Notice: You can think of raised beds as a kind of composter. The composition of the individual layers becomes finer and finer from bottom to top. The lower, coarse layers gradually decompose and form valuable humus. The upper layers slide down.
frequently asked Questions
How tall should a raised bed be?The back-friendly, easy processing is considered one of the most decisive advantages of a raised bed. To take advantage of this, the bed should be about hip-high. An optimal height is assumed to be about one meter.
Which plants are suitable for cultivation in raised beds?In principle, you can cultivate almost all plants in the vertical bed. It is mostly used to grow vegetables. Smaller tomato varieties, but also radishes, kohlrabi, beans or even plants that require a lot of space such as pumpkins or courgettes thrive perfectly in raised beds. Be careful not to grow varieties that are too tall, so as not to complicate the harvest.
What should be considered when planting different varieties together?Raised beds are excellent for mixed cultivation. Combine plants that need similar nutrients. Be sure to place the smaller plants around the edges.
Are there durable alternatives to wooden raised beds?Raised beds can not only be made of wood and natural materials. Long-lasting stone constructions are possible. These can be used as an alternative to walls. Metal baskets, so-called gabions, are ideal for raised beds.