What is a Raised Garden Bed, Anyway?

What is a Raised Bed Garden?

A raised bed garden is when a planting bed sits on top of your existing soil. The bed can be anywhere from just a few inches tall to waist-high, and can be made of many different materials. Usually, there's room left around the outside of each bed so you can walk around it (not in it), which allows the soil to stay loose and fluffy instead of compacted. That's important, since roots grow best when there's room for air and water to move easily through the soil.

Whatever it's made of, the ideal raised bed is narrow enough (usually 4 feet or less) that you can reach into the center from either side, though it can be whatever length you want. Beds can be different depths, too, and the depth you choose depends on what you want to grow—for example, deep-rooted plants like miniature fruit trees and tomatoes need more soil than shallow-rooted plants like lettuce and pansies. Raised beds can also be elevated on legs, so you don't have to stoop to care for your plants.

Why Choose to Garden in a Raised Bed?

Raised beds offer all the same benefits of in-ground growing, with a few extras. With a raised garden, you have more control over your plant's growing environment and less work to do.

1. You control the soil. With in-ground gardening, the soil in the ground is the soil you get. While you can amend that soil, you're always starting from the same base, whether it's heavy, doesn't drain well, or contains weed seeds. Raised bed gardening gives you an opportunity to start fresh with a soil your plants will love. Soils that are made specifically for raised bed gardening typically have better drainage, retain and release water better, and contain fewer weed seeds than native in-ground soil.
2. You'll score a longer growing season. In spring, you can't plant until your garden soil is warm enough. Guess what? The soil in raised beds warms up more quickly than in-ground soil, which means you can plant your garden sooner. 
3. You can grow more. Traditional in-ground gardens are planted in rows with walking space in between. In a raised bed, you can place plants more closely together because you don't need walking space between rows. That means more growing space for you! Take bush beans, for example. Instead of planting seedlings 8 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, you can just plant them 8 inches apart—in any direction. That will still give the roots plenty of room to grow. You can also take advantage of vertical space and use trellises to grow vining plants sky-high.
4. You can customize your garden. Here's one more seriously cool thing about a raised bed garden: you can design it to fit your own unique style and personality. Your raised bed could be built out of reclaimed stone and decorated with sea glass for an artsy look, or create a rugged raised bed with cedar timbers. If you're not ready to commit, try a temporary bed made with baled straw as walls. Whatever your style or needs, raised beds offer an opportunity to design and express yourself. 
5. You'll have less work to do. Remember how we said you could leave less space between plants? Well, that means a big "less" for you, too: less time you have to spend doing garden chores. See, since the plants are a little closer together, the leaves of many of your plants will touch, which will help shade the soil so you may not have to water as much. You'll also spend less time tackling weeds. Keeping plants closer together means less room for weeds to squeeze in. Plus, remember all that beautiful new soil you added to the bed? No weed seeds there, unlike many in-ground beds. 
6. You won't have to bend as much to garden. For some, raised bed gardening is more accessible than traditional in-ground gardening. Since the beds sit higher off the ground, you won't be bending as far over to grow and tend your plants. 

How to Grow in a Raised Bed Garden

Still thinking about whether or not a raised bed garden is right for you? Here are a few things you'll need to consider: 

Sun. While you can control many factors with a raised bed, you can't move the sun. The amount of sunlight that shines on your raised bed garden each day plays a big part in determining the kinds of plants you can grow. Many vegetables, herbs, and fruits need lots of sun—at least 6 hours a day. Shady areas are best for ornamental plants like hostas, ferns, caladiums, and impatiens. Check the plant tag or seed packet for sun details.

Building the bed. Any raised bed garden starts with building the bed, or beds. You can make a simple wooden frame to start, or even a temporary raised bed with straw. You can get creative with your build, or keep it simple. If you're not sure where to start, we've got a helpful guide to building your own raised beds with some of our favorite suggestions. 

Soil. Just like in-ground and container gardens, a successful planting starts with soil. Native soil or topsoil should never be used in a raised bed garden as it's simply too heavy. Instead, it should be filled with bagged soil like Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil, which is the perfect weight and texture for growing big, bountiful plants in raised beds.

Water. Soil in raised beds tends to drain more quickly than in-ground soil, simply due to gravity (taller beds drain faster, too). Check the soil often by sticking your finger in it. When the top inch is dry, it's time to give the bed a thorough watering. More drought-tolerant plants can wait for a drink until the top 2 inches of soil are dry. You can use a watering can or a hose (choose the "shower" setting on the nozzle), or you can make your life easier with smart watering devices or a sprinkler system on a timer.

Feeding. Just like in-ground plants, your raised bed plants need nutrition to grow as healthy and strong as possible. Try a regular feeding program with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food, which feeds all plant types for up to 3 months.

Mulch. If you cover the soil around the plants in your raised bed with a 3-inch layer of mulch, you'll likely need to water less and pull even fewer weeds. Mulch helps keep the soil moist by protecting it from the sun's hot rays, and keeps weeds from growing by blocking their access to that same sunlight. You can use bagged mulch, straw, shredded leaves, pine straw or untreated grass clippings. We recommend Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch, which is safe to use around kids and pets and for edible gardening.

Weeds. Raised beds have fewer problems with weeds than in-ground garden beds, especially if you put down mulch, but the occasional unwanted dandelion can still plague your plants. They tend to be easier to pull when they're young, so you want to catch them when they're small. 

Pest Control. Visit your raised bed garden daily and take the time to check each plant for signs of pests or disease, which are always easier to conquer when you spy them early. Symptoms can vary by disease and pest, but keep an eye out for dead or withering leaves or vines, chewed leaves, and white, brown, or other discolored spots. Bonus: If you're growing veggies, herbs, or fruits, you'll also have a better chance of catching your harvest at the peak of ripeness if you're out there each day.

Ready to get started? We've got a Raised Bed Planning Guide to help you get out there and get growing!