August 1, 2024 – This year’s literature seems overloaded with opinions as to whether raised bed gardens or ground-based gardens are the better choice. SO, what goes into the preferred choice.
If you have high quality soil, either choice is fine. Raised beds usually have high quality soil. On the other hand, the cost for that soil in a raised bed can be expensive, along with the cost of whatever frame you choose.
Uneven ground increases frame costs when they have to be elevated on one or two sides. Then, there’s the cost over time as frames deteriorate. Even on level ground, there’s the cost of the frame whether rocks, concrete blocks, metal or wood. By the way, treated wood has been acceptable since 2003.
Weeds are usually more of a problem with ground-based gardens, at least at first. BUT, weeds will eventually be a factor in raised beds unless you sink a “barrier” up to 12” below ground. I have one raised bed 18” tall, and that didn’t slow down Bermuda grass at all!
Due to the elevation of raised beds, planting, weeding, watering, and picking are usually much easier, particularly if you’re old like me! Also, soils get warmer faster in raised beds, giving you a longer growing season. Watering, however, usually has to be done much more often, up to and including daily in hot summers. Mulching helps decrease weeds, improve soil moisture, and works well in either bed.
For you, the differences are not all that much. In my old age (!) I’ve gone totally raised beds with treated wood, concrete blocks, and filled with pure compost which are used to raise produce for the needy. With 940 sq. ft., those 7 gardens have to date this season produced over 9K vegetables for the Safety (Battered women’s Shelter) Crisis Center.
