So, what exactly are raised beds? On a practical level they are permanent structures which can be filled with soil, decorative gravel or pebbles. On another level they are a creative and innovative solution to problems you may be having using your garden.
- Raised beds allow you to continue gardening when life become harder, physically.
If you’ve always been a keen gardener and are suddenly faced with a physical barrier to your favourite hobby, this can be dispiriting and have a negative effect on mental health. Whether it’s due to illness or time, spending long periods on your knees can be punishing, and you don’t want to risk putting your back out again, either. When you can’t get down to the garden, raised beds bring the garden up to you. The benefit over growing in pots is that you can site on the edge of the bed to weed or plant. You can also fill beds with good quality soil that’s easy to dig through. By removing some of the physical strain, you can continue to enjoy gardening.
- Raised beds will create a focal point in your garden.
Focal points are important in design. They are something that captures attention and creates interest, often having an emotional impact on the viewer. An interesting bed design, beds of varying heights, use of different materials, stone or plant arrangements; all of these can improve the overall look and feel of your garden. It’s worth mentioning that if decide to go with sleepers, new sleepers should always be used. Reclaimed sleepers may have been treated with creosote or other toxic chemicals and these can leach into the surrounding soil.
- You can grow vegetables in raised beds
Let’s be honest, everyone is feeling the squeeze at the moment, with people talking about rising food prices especially. Growing your own food is something we are passionate about at T Jefford Garden Services Limited, and it’s not as difficult as you might think. Vegetables such as carrot, parsnips, beets, radishes, turnips, onions, shallots and garlic are ideal for growing in raised beds in the UK, and will be packed full of good nutrition and free of additional pesticides or additives.
- Dry-stone raised beds will attract wildlife to your garden
According to ‘The Wildlife Trust’;
“Built without using mortar, drystone walls have many nooks and crannies, and it is these spaces that makes them so valuable for wildlife. Lichen, mosses and ferns grow on and between the rocks; mice…and voles hide in the gaps; bees visit the nectar-giving flowers that grow in less exposed areas; and frogs…and toads shelter in damp crevices.” (https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-mini-stone-wall)
Whether you have children or grandchildren who love the outdoors, or you want to create an urban haven for nature, the use of dry-stone to build beds is one of the best ways to make your garden wildlife friendly.
- Raised beds can be as unique as you and your garden are
The perception of raised beds tends to be the rectangular-shaped, sleeper beds (you know which ones I mean). In reality they can be any shape, size or material you prefer. They can be built to specific shapes, such as a boat in a sea-side themed garden. They can include integrated seating, giving you a peaceful space to sit. They provide a solution to sloped or split-level gardens by livening-up steps or tiers with planting. They can be clad in stone to match-in with your patio or used with trellis to create planting at different heights. Opting for bespoke raised beds means you can have something unique to your personality that perfect matches the individual footprint of your garden.
As always, whenever you decide to have gardening work done make sure you find a reputable contractor who has proven experience of designing and installing landscaping and will guarantee their work.
T Jefford Garden Services Limited has been providing outstanding garden solutions for 18 years. Our dedicated team are ready to help turn your ideas into reality.
