Modern Raised Garden Bed Ideas

If you have a large raised bed, line the bottom with straws, plastic bottles, or large stones to keep water from pooling and making the soil soggy. Make sure your raised bed garden has good drainage at the bottom.

Although lining a planter, whether brick or otherwise, is not required, it is strongly suggested since it prevents burrowing animals from your plant’s roots and enables proper drainage while also not allowing the soil to drain away.

Keep reading to learn the various raised garden bed ideas you can use to build yours.

What exactly is raised bed gardening?

Raised bed gardening is a type of gardening in which different plants or vegetables are grown in soil that is relatively higher than the ground level.

This is commonly accomplished with some sort of frame or enclosure made of wood, concrete, stone, hay bales, brick, or even repurposed material such as old dressers. Compost is commonly used to enrich the soil.

What are the advantages of raised garden beds?

Instead of working tirelessly year after year to keep your garden free of pests and weeds modern raised garden beds could act as a barrier.

They provide many benefits, including improved soil drainage, increased planting depth, and the ability to remove temporary structures if you decide not to keep them. Here is a listing of the advantages:

1.                 Better drainage

2.                 Weed and pest invasions are reduced

3.                 Reduced bending and kneeling discomfort

4.                 Improved soil substrate control

5.                 It could be either temporary or permanent

6.                 Improved soil temperatures

7.                 Better growing space with no soil compaction caused by human feet

8.                 Soil erosion is reduced.

What Plants Grow Well in Raised Garden Beds?

Any plants could be grown in a garden bed, especially if the soil is controlled. The following are some of the most common plants:

1. Vegetables

Vegetable garden could include lettuce, tomatoes, turnips, radishes, carrots, and cucumbers.

2. Herbs

Parsley, oregano, rosemary, and dill are all excellent options. Consider the fact that some herbs, such as basil and sage, require more space than you would think.

3. Fruits

Choose melons such as watermelons and cantaloupe, or berries such as raspberries and strawberries.

4. Flower arrangements

Choose nice perennials or simple flowers such as marigolds or sunflowers.

Planting Raised Bed Ideas

1. Hoop garden bed

A hoop garden bed is a type of garden bed covered with a "hoop" shape. The supports are always bent around the raised garden bed's top, forming a dome-like space inside. This shape supports the cover material, which could be fabric, net, or plastic.

You can grow a vegetable garden with a little forethought. The raised bed makes it more difficult for animals to get at your growing vegetables.

You can be ready for any climatic condition, handle frost, and get a head start in the spring or summer if you create a hoop on top of a raised bed. This lightweight netting is strong enough to keep a cloth covering in place.

2. Tire-raised garden bed

Automobile tire raised bed is amongst the easiest types of raised beds you can make, and it may be the best way to use old car tires. It will also assist you in protecting the environment from pollution caused by throwing away the tires.

Even though they are prevalent among environmentally conscious gardeners who like to upcycle, many people will use them just because they are so simple to convert into beds. Simply lay a tire down on the ground and fill it with soil.

Different crops can be grown in different tires. Note that it may leach toxic substances and heat up in the sun if it's not covered with a light-colored material.

3. Trough gardens

Troughs are one of the simplest ways of building raised beds. There is no assembly required, but before adding the soil, ensure to drill a few drainage holes in the bottom.

This is ideal for homeowners who do not wish to construct something. Simply place and fill. Based on availability and desired look, you could use new or even used troughs.

4. Keyhole raised bed

If you do want a classier garden bed made of bricks, this could be the design for you. A Keyhole garden is being created by simply stacking bricks on top of each other. The gardens are elevated, which means your vegetables will be protected from pests and pets.

In contrast to completely round raised beds, keyhole raised beds are cool because they allow you easy access to all parts of your raised bed. There are no tools required, free materials, and clever design. Although it requires heavy lifting and may appear a little crude to some.

5. Concrete raised bed

When constructing a raised bed gardens, concrete is an excellent material to use. If you live in a city with strict regulations, this may be the ideal way to have a nice and tidy garden bed.

It comes in various shapes that you can use, or you can form concrete into any shape you want by mixing your cement and creating a mold. Cinder blocks are inexpensive and can be used to create a raised garden bed.

The concrete garden does have the benefit of being strong, moldable, long-lasting, modular, and free of plastic liners.

6. Straw bale raised garden bed

A straw-bale raised garden is a great option if you want a simple garden bed that won't take up much of your time to build. It's a raised bed with plants, potting soil, and compost all contained within a straw bale.

Straw bale planting is an excellent way of growing your favorite herbs, flowers, and vegetables, as well as ornamental plants. The garden is simple to set up and take down. As a result, it is a perfect choice if you do not require a permanent structure.

Straw lasts longer than hay, which decomposes in a year, whereas straw can last for two years. Straw is also lighter, cheaper, and less likely to contain herbicides. A bale can hold between 3 and 5 gallons of water. Anything above that amount will be drained.

7. PVC pipe or terracotta garden

Terracotta is porous, making it ideal for succulents and other plants that prefer dry soils. One-foot lengths of PVC pipes or terracotta turned vertically can be used to fence the garden soil for a large raised bed.

Each pipe's interior can also be used as a small container for small border plants or herbs. PVC pipes, on the other hand, are non-porous and hold more water than terracotta pipes because they will not rust or rot.

8. Corrugated metal raised garden bed

Corrugated metal, which is widely used as roofing sheets, can be framed by wood to create a modern and fresh look for an industrial-looking modern raised bed. The steel sheets can be used in edible gardens. There is no evidence that they leach any toxic substances.

The metal is deemed reflective, which means it does not absorb as much heat from the sun, keeping the soil temperature cooler than other kinds of raised garden bed materials.

By staining or painting the wood frame a color you desire or that matches your backyard, you can add your personality and style to it.

9. Flower boxes Raised beds

If you have a strong fence, you can simply add wooden boxes as small raised garden beds, similar to window boxes, to it. These can look nice all year, with annuals having to fill in as perennials fade.

As a unique idea for the winter break, you also can decorate these places with seasonal decorations.

10. Octagonal shape Raised beds

Are you tired of round and square raised beds? The octagonal shape allows for greater soil volume while maintaining stability, and it's easy to navigate around before filling.

If you create several of them, it can also easily build an amazing path structure between each bed. This unique raised garden bed is stable, well-isolated, voluminous, rot-proof, and light in weight.

11. Grow bag raised beds

Grow bags are a perfect choice for raised beds because they do not freeze solid and the garden soil inside defrosts quickly.

It is also an excellent way to provide the heat required to grow plants such as sage and lavender. Grow bags appear overly simple, and you'd have a fantastic raised bed garden in minutes.

12. Wood raised beds

When it comes to raised garden bed ideas, the most common and simple design is a simple wood box. When selecting wood for your garden bed, ensure to choose cedar. Because cedar is naturally rot-resistant, it is popularly used for garden beds.

13. Raised garden beds with tiers

Stacking your raised beds on top of each other will take them to unique and decorative heights. Introducing tiers will give your backyard and garden dimension while also creating visually appealing garden beds.

You can experiment with various layouts and shapes, or pick a pattern that conforms to the confines of your backyard.

14. Elevated table-raised garden beds

You can make an elevated table garden bed by repurposing old table legs and tables themselves. These garden beds are ideal to grow herbs or lettuce.

15. Recycled pallet board raised garden board

Recycled pallets are an excellent material for building a raised bed and are often obtained for free from businesses that receive shipments but do not have a carting service to remove them.

A pallet can be used to create a wall filled with plants, flowers, or it can be used to create a raised garden bed with partitions between the slats that helps your plant grow orderly. You can experiment with different raised garden bed shapes and styles.

16. Enclosed raised garden beds

If animals are quite a concern in your area, you might want to consider an enclosed raised garden bed. You can construct a variety of enclosures or frames around the garden bed.

Starting with the most elaborate and working your way down to something as simple as wrapping with wire or plain metal fence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal depth for a raised bed garden?

To be effective, a raised garden bed doesn’t need to be very deep. Typically, eight to twelve inches is sufficient.

If drainage is an issue, or the plants you're growing prefer drier soil, elevate the garden bed and ensure it is filled with a highly permeable growing medium.

The depth of vegetable garden beds ought to be between twelve and eighteen inches.

Do raise garden beds require drainage holes?

It is critical to have raised beds with proper drainage. It will not only keep your plants from being overwatered or underwatered, but it will also reduce the risk of water-related diseases such as root rot.

What is the most cost-effective way to build raised beds?

Use what you've got! Be resourceful and creative, and look around your house to see if you can make a raised bed out of what you already have.

If you don't have anything, you could use recycled pallets. If you must purchase building materials, look for discount building supply stores in your area.

Is it better to build raised garden beds out of wood or metal?

Wood insulates your soil far better than steel material, making it ideal for winter gardening beds with cold frames.

What should I fill the bottom of my raised garden bed with?

Grass clippings, leaves, straw, and wood chips are excellent choices for filling a raised garden bed.

You may also want to weigh down this organic layer with a few pegs or bricks if you use cardboard or other materials suitable as weed barrier.

Conclusion

That's all there is to it! This is just a small list of raised garden bed ideas. Raised beds can be made from a variety of materials and in a variety of styles, sizes, and shapes.

It's a great feeling to repurpose materials into something useful, and gardeners are no less resourceful.

Raised beds allow you to make the best use of your environmental space while also discovering new and eye-catching ways to grow plants.