Buying raised garden beds – ideal for plants and gardeners

As with traditional gardening, it is important in a raised garden bed that the plants harmonize with each other and are properly planted and cared for. Both for food and ornamental plants, there is a distinction between heavy feeders, medium feeders, and light feeders based on their nutrient requirements. This division plays a significant role in planting.

Plants that grow in a freshly filled raised bed box are essentially continuously fertilized in the first year due to the nutrients in the filling. Therefore, when planting a raised bed, care must be taken to only plant heavily nutrient-consuming plants such as potatoes, leeks, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, celery, or cabbage (of all kinds) in the first year. Less nutrient-consuming herbs and vegetables would result in high nitrate concentrations. Even flowers are designed for controlled nutrient intake and may react negatively to excessive nutrients.

A tip: Leeks and cabbage vegetables can be harvested until January under protective fleece or a thermal cover.

For the second year, medium feeders such as carrots, onions, garlic, radishes, lettuce, and fennel are suitable. In the third year of the raised bed, the fertilizing power decreases. Now it's time for low-maintenance vegetables: beans, peas, lamb's lettuce, and the fruits that should not be missing in any garden – strawberries.

A raised garden bed needs to be refilled every four to five years.

The proper layering in a raised bed plays an important role. Due to decomposition in the lower layers of the raised bed, the content settles. Therefore, the top layer is refilled at the beginning of each season. When using quality planting soil, it usually contains sufficient slow-release fertilizer. Mature compost also contains all the nutrients, however, initially there is not enough nitrogen, so heavy feeders often require additional fertilization during the summer months.

In raised garden beds, the soil dries out quickly, especially at the edges, when exposed to sunlight. Additionally, due to the elevated position of the bed, the sun shines directly on its walls and heats them up. Pay special attention to ensuring sufficient moisture and water multiple times a day during dry periods. If possible, install an automatic irrigation system, as regular water supply also shortens the cultivation period.