The Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

Photo of Kassandra Smith

Kassandra Smith

Senior Editor • Backyard Chicken Coops

Last Updated: 13 January 2015

Whether you are a gardening guru or consider yourself a novice green thumb at best, you may have heard the word on the street that raised garden beds are the new way to garden, as they help create a host of benefits that will contribute to healthy and blossoming produce and flowers all year round.

You can purchase raised garden beds from your local gardening or hardware store, or, there are also many ways you can create a raised garden bed - do a quick Google search and you will be met with many tutorials and how to’s. While it may require a little extra work, we promise they will pay for themselves in the long run when you’re tucking in to your fresh fruits and veg, and admiring your gorgeous blooming flowers!

raised garden beds

Let us show you the ways…

  • Kiss consistent weeds goodbye

Because raised garden beds are planted above existing soil, you can place barriers between the ground and soil in the garden beds. So if you take enough care to use weed-free soil, you will find that weeds are much less of an issue and easier to remove. Raised garden beds-1, weeds-0.

  • Super soil

For plants to really thrive, they need light and air filled soil, which comes from more loosely compacted soil. Raised garden beds have less compacted soil by nature due it to it being naturally filled and not regularly walked on, which allows the roots to really breathe and the soil easier to work.

  • Access- what a breeze

Forget bending your body into all crazy angles and poses to reach your beloved marigolds riiiiight up the back. Or crouching down to pluck some fresh basil from your herb garden. One of the main appeals of raised garden beds are their accessibility and adaptability. If you are well truly past the days of getting down on your hands and knees to get your thumbs green, just put your raised garden bed up higher, or if it’s more compact on a tabletop- sure to save you future back problems. As well as this, because of their design, which is best done as a rectangular or square shape, it is easy to reach each plant- even those at the very back. This means that each and every single plant will be able to be inspected, watered, fertilised, adored and picked with precision and ease.

raised vegetable garden beds

  • Utilise that precious H20

We all know that water is a precious resource, and so we must utilise the best we can when it comes to working in the garden. Raised garden bed utilise water and moisture more efficiently than their general garden bed counterparts, due to the soil being less compact. So when you are watering or are lucky enough to get a lovely patch of rain, when it seeps into the soil, if it’s slightly loosened, it will absorb what it needs, then the rest will sink deep down into the soil and drain, encouraging your plants to thrive, thrive, thrive!

  • Combat pesky pests

With raised garden beds, you can easily place some chicken wire underneath the garden to keep any underground critters out. Adding the extra protection of a garden enclosure like this one or some portable electric fencing will keep your plants safe and sound fro curious chickens or invasive pests like feral deer, feral pigs, possums, rabbits and birds.

garden enclosure protects raised garden beds

  • Power to productive produce

Because the quality of soil in raised garden beds is much better than that in general garden space, they generally have a higher yield of produce. An abundance of freshly picked tomatoes, strawberries and mint- yes please!

  • Pretty plants all year round

Raised garden beds are great for moderating heat, as they tend to warm up quicker and easier, without overheating. With the soil being able to warm better, this creates better growing conditions for your crop for a longer amount of time. So you can expect your general gardening seasons to be slightly extended, meaning more pretty produce more often!

  • All for aesthetic appeal

Yes, all gardens, not just those of the raised variety can be deemed attractive, but raised garden beds, if thought out and designed well are sure to become a focal point in your backyard and draw many compliments from neighbours and visitors alike. Some common remarks you may hear include- utterly fabulous, I must have one, oh that raised garden bed is simply to die for! Just to name a few…

Convinced? We thought so...

Sources and further reading