Raised beds are very popular, as these miniature vegetable gardens combine several advantages. This form of gardening is particularly suitable for people with back problems or for garden owners whose grown soil is classified as rather problematic.
Working in the raised bed is easy on the back
Benefits and usage
Raised beds not only offer an elevated work surface, but also take advantage of the targeted accumulation of organic materials: like in a compost heap, these release nutrients as they rot, which directly benefit the plants grown on them. At the same time, the plants benefit from the heat generated during rotting and from the very humus-rich soil. In the first one to two years, only heavy consumers should be grown due to the high nutrient concentrations, followed by medium and weak consumers. After about five to six years, the stratification has collapsed to such an extent that it has to be rebuilt.
Construction of a raised bed
Raised beds are usually built with a solid frame construction, so they are basically tall earthen boxes. As a result, the raised bed offers an advantage that is particularly appreciated by older people and people with back problems: it allows you to work comfortably while standing or sitting. The height of the raised bed can be chosen according to body size: Many of these box beds are around one meter high. The length, on the other hand, is arbitrary and can be adjusted as required, there are only limits in terms of width. Raised beds with a width of between 120 and 150 centimeters can still be worked well.
How to build a raised bed
Ready-made elements or kits for raised beds are available from specialist retailers. Wooden boards and beams or round or half palisades are suitable for building the frame yourself. However, raised beds with a brick border are more durable. And this is how you build the raised bed:
- Wooden boxes are anchored to the ground using corner pillars.
- These are particularly stable if they are anchored with metal post shoes.
- Depending on the thickness and length of the boards, additional posts increase stability.
- Thin wooden walls are lined with a strong pond liner.
- At the bottom is a wire mesh (€14.99) to protect against voles.
- On top of it pack a drainage layer of coarse materials.
- Coarsely chopped branches or twigs are very suitable for this.
- Sods of grass come on top, but with the roots pointing upwards.
- This is followed by a layer about 20 to 30 centimeters thick with well-moistened leaves.
- The penultimate layer is about 15 centimeters of fresh compost
- and finally garden soil, also about 15 centimeters thick.
tips
So-called hill beds, which are constructed according to a similar principle to raised beds but do not have a border, are also very practical.