Raised beds are a particularly good way of growing a wide range of plants, including fruit and vegetables.
As the Royal Horticultural Society points out, they have a number of advantages over more traditional growing arrangements, as they can improve drainage and can allow you to introduce a new type of soil.
Raised beds can also be used to enhance the health of roots – good topsoil enriched with fertiliser and organic matter gives excellent root zone conditions. As gardeners do not walk on the soil, it does not get compacted and this is better for plants' roots.
They can make watering easier and improve access, meaning gardeners with mobility conditions find them easier to manage.
If planted correctly, they can help to reduce the growth of weeds and this effect can be enhanced by introducing a weed barrier and mulching with straw, grass clippings, leaves or wood chips after planting.
Among the plants that can be grown in the containers are soft fruits, alpines, herbaceous perennials, small trees and shrubs, along with Ericaceous or lime-hating plants.
Planning your raised beds
While it is obviously possible to build raised beds at any time of year, it can often be easiest to work on them in winter when the soil is not too wet or frozen.
First of all, you should define the size of your bed and where it is needed. In terms of width, it is advisable to ensure they are less than 1.5 m to ensure access is easy – the last thing you want to do is walk on them, after all!
You should also make sure there is enough space in between the beds to allow a wheelbarrow to pass through or to accommodate special mobility requirements.
Make sure you consider the types of material carefully – timber is obviously convenient for temporary structures, while masonry is expensive but permanent. Containers made from recycled material can also be obtained.
Building raised beds
After clearing the area of existing vegetation, you should mark out the area using stakes and string.
Use retaining stakes at the corners and every 1.5 m along the sides of the structures. Attach the sides to them using nails or screws.
If your beds are deeper than 50 cm, remove the existing topsoil and replace with subsoil, rubble or old inverted turves. Enrich the topsoil with organic matter (such as well-rotted compost or manure) and fertiliser, firming in layers to prevent undue settling, before replacing it.
Topsoil can be left in place if it is unsuitable for the crop to be grown, but you should loosen it and fill up the bed with fresh imported soil of the correct type.
Once you've constructed your raised beds and planted them, make sure you keep an eye on the watering situation. As drainage is particularly good, they are especially vulnerable during drought conditions, so don't forget to water regularly.
