Raised garden beds are one of the gardening tools recommended by many gardening experts. But not all gardeners need to own a raised garden bed. For some gardeners, raised garden beds are not a necessary gardening tool and can even be burdensome.
(vegetable garden bed)
Here are 7 possible reasons why a garden bed is not a necessity in your garden or on your balcony, to see if you have any of these situations.
7 reasons Why you don’t choose a raised garden bed
Your plants are not suitable for growing in raised garden beds
Do you like to grow tall plants, such as corn and olive trees? If you like to grow these types of tall plants, raised garden beds are not suitable for you and you are better off using in-ground garden beds or growing them directly in your garden or greenhouse.
Which plants are not suitable for raised garden beds?
- Pumpkins and other squash plants
Large pumpkins and other squash take up a lot of space, so these plants are better suited to growing directly in the ground. If you're growing squash in a garden bed, it may not be a worthwhile investment!
(Pumpkins)
You can grow small pumpkins or cucumbers in your in-ground garden beds. However, please plant larger squash plants in the ground next to them and leave plenty of space.
- Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries
These plants are often planted in early spring or fall and will then grow in your yard year round. This plant is best planted directly in the ground rather than growing in raised garden beds.
- Broccoli and cauliflower
These plants will take up most of the space in a raised garden bed, and they will become large as they grow. You may be wasting space if you grow these plants in raised garden beds. It is recommended that you grow these vegetables in an in-ground garden bed or directly in the ground.
Your garden has fertile soil
Improved soil is one of the main reasons why gardeners choose raised garden beds. If you live in an area with fertile soil, garden beds don't mean much to you. You can grow plants directly in the ground because your garden has fertile soil.
If you want to improve the soil in your garden to make your plants grow better, you can do things like add organic matter to the soil. In conclusion, there are many ways to improve the quality of your soil and you don't necessarily have to use garden beds.
You have a limited budget
Although raised garden beds are recommended by many gardening experts, there are some drawbacks to this tool and high cost is one of them.
Metal and wood are common materials used to make garden beds. Cedar and pine are considered to be quality woods that are beautiful and resistant to rot. However, these woods are expensive and not cost-effective. Metal garden beds are generally more expensive than wooden garden beds. Smaller metal garden beds start at about $50 to $100.
（budget small garden）
If you are on a budget, wooden garden beds and metal garden beds are not worth choosing. Growing plants in the ground can also fulfill your dream of having a garden.
You don't want to fertilize or water too often
Raised garden beds are considered to be friendly to the elderly and the disabled because garden beds allow the gardener to take care of the plants without having to bend over. However, unlike growing plants in the ground, plants in garden beds require frequent observation by the gardener.
Since the soil in raised garden beds sits above the ground, they dry out more quickly. To avoid the adverse effects of dry soil, you need to water more frequently, which will keep your plants healthy.
You will also need to fertilize more frequently because you will be watering the plants in your garden beds frequently, which will wash away some of the nutrients from the soil.
There is nothing wrong with these practices, it will just take you more time to care for your plants. If you want your garden to be easier to maintain, a traditional garden is a better option.
Do you live in a hot, dry area?
Raised garden beds and the plants that grow in them are susceptible to heat. During the summer months, as the temperature rises, the soil in your garden beds can quickly become dry, which can attract spiders, aphids and other pests, as well as cause plant stress.
If you live in an area with hot, dry summers, a greenhouse is an ideal place for plants to grow, provided the climatic conditions in the greenhouse are suitable for them. Don't set up a raised garden bed in your outdoor garden, even if you know it has many benefits.
You don't want to change the layout of your garden
Once you have raised garden beds in your garden, the layout of your garden is pretty much set. Yes, it will be difficult to change the layout of your garden after that, unless, of course, you are willing to spend more effort and money on your garden.
(garden layout)
If you want to change the layout of your garden every year, for example, if you want to have a path in your garden or a pond in the corner, then you can plant plants in the ground. You can plant new plants every year and change the layout of your garden at will.
Maintaining and caring for your garden beds can be a hassle for you
Raised garden beds are a great addition to your garden, but in order for raised garden beds to last, you have to maintain and care for them on a regular basis.
Things you need to do include:
Weeding. Weeds can easily grow in garden beds. You will need to lay down thick mulch and remove weeds regularly.
Amending the soil. The soil in raised garden beds can become nutrient-poor over time, so you will need to add compost regularly.
Wood maintenance. If you choose a wooden raised garden bed, you will need to check it regularly for signs of rot. If the situation is serious, you will need to replace the boards or even need to repurchase the garden bed.
If the above activities bother you, raised garden beds are not for you.
What are the other essential gardening tools for gardeners?
In order for your gardening tasks to go smoothly, you need to use some gardening tools. Here are 4 gardening tools that are essential for you.
Gardening Gloves
Gloves are the gardening tools that you will definitely use. Whether you are growing plants in your garden beds or in the ground, you will need to use gloves. Otherwise, your hands may get injured.
(gardening glove)
You should choose gardening gloves that are waterproof and breathable to help keep your hands cool and comfortable.
Rakes
In the fall and winter, you will definitely need a rake. You will need a rake to remove fallen leaves and plant debris. Rakes come in a variety of sizes and styles.
Hoes
You need a hoe in your garden. If you have a vegetable garden, you will need a wide hoe. If you have a perennial garden, a thinner hoe is more appropriate. Hoes are often used to cut down weeds.
Hose with adjustable nozzle
Water is the basis for the healthy growth of all the plants in your garden, so you need to water them regularly, especially during the summer months. It's a good idea to choose a hose with an adjustable nozzle so you can use it flexibly.
There are three basic hose diameters: 1/2 inch (averaging 10 gallons per minute), 5/8 inch (averaging 16 gallons per minute) and 3/4 inch.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can promote your gardening, and raised garden beds may not always be the best way for you. Traditional gardens give you a lot of pleasure, and you can use other gardening tools to optimize your garden.
