Back-friendly work, higher yields and longer harvest times: There are many reasons for growing vegetables in raised beds. The advantages offered by these beds were already being used in the Middle Ages. Our tips make planting and caring for this special vegetable patch a breeze.

Growing in a raised bed has many advantages

Build the raised bed

If you are handy, you can easily build a raised bed from pressure-treated wood yourself. Alternatively, you can get stable box beds in different sizes from the garden trade, which can be set up in just a few simple steps.

The layers of soil

In order for herbs and vegetables to grow vigorously over the years, the composition of the filled layers of soil is important:

  • The first layer consists of chopped twigs, branches and waste that accumulated when the bush was cut in autumn.
  • The second layer consists of fine, but at most half-decomposed parts of the plant.
  • Fill in mature compost soil as the third layer.
  • The fourth layer is a mixture of garden and compost soil to which humus is added.

Which vegetables are suitable for the raised bed?

In principle, you can grow all types of vegetables in the raised bed that you would also cultivate in a "normal" vegetable bed. So that the soil does not leach out, you should plant according to the rules of crop rotation and distinguish between heavy feeders, medium feeders and weak feeders:

heavy feeder medium eater weak feeder
potatoes paprika peas
almost all types of cabbage onions beans
leek radish salads
tomatoes Kohlrabi herbs

Also pay attention to the right mixed culture. As a result, the plants support each other in their growth and harmful insects have to be fought much less frequently.

What to do with the herbs?

Many kitchen herbs come from southern climes, where they thrive in rather nutrient-poor soil. For example, if you want to cultivate thyme, oregano or rosemary in a raised bed, you should create an area for these plants that is tailored to their specific needs.

When filling, add a third of the fourth layer of earth with sand. Also make sure that this area is bathed in sunlight throughout the day, as many herbs are extremely sun-hungry.

The care of the vegetable raised bed

Due to the elevated position, the temperature in the raised bed is usually a few degrees higher and the soil dries out faster. Therefore, water the plants regularly, and not just on hot summer days.

Mulching with grass clippings is advisable. As a result, moisture is better retained in the soil and the watering work is noticeably reduced.

tips

The harvest time in the raised bed can be brought forward with a thermal hood or fleece and a location in a protected place.

Category:

Vegetable garden